Greek Shepherd

The Greek Shepherd^{[1] [2]}or Greek Sheepdog (Greek: Ελληνικός Ποιμενικός, Ellinikós Pimenikós) is a breed of livestock guardian dog originating from Greece and recognized by it's Kennel club^[3],courageous, very intelligent, with immense physicality and athletisism,it is found across Greece, especially on North or mountain sites, and very rarely out of it, belonging to the Mastiff-type group of sheepdogs Group 2 Section 2.2 of the Federation Cynologique Internationale.^[4]

It is believed livestock guardian dogs are one of the oldest distinct dog types^[3], with the greek ones being one of the oldest among all breeds. Known as the Hellenic Shepherd (Ellinikós Pimenikós, Ελληνικός Ποιμενικός) in Greek, it is a minimaly changed and almost identical descendand, if not the very same dog with the migthy Ancient Greek Molosser dog^[1]. It is claimed the Greek Shepherd has been found in Greece since ancient times, Plato wrote of dogs of identicall origin, form and function being known in the region of Epirus as early as 800 BC and the breed might have even earlier than that. It was mainly used for livestock guarding from bears, wolves and other predators and for fighting wars because of their remarkable power, endurance, combat skills and warrior mentality, but also was used in hunting due to their very impressive speed, stamina and agility. Greek Sheepdogs can also be divided in 4 variants very closely related: Molossus of Epirus (the more molosser type, specialiized slighlty more in cows and slightly less in sheep), Karakachan Shepherd (the Greek Shepherd dog's line that has migrated throught the balkans), the Greek Shepherd generally, not a specific subtype (possibly resulting from a combination of the previous two), and the Greek White Sheepdog (a very specific and rare white type of the Greek Shepherd). Also noticable is a resemblance to some other livestock guardian breeds found throughout the balkans and neighboor country's livestock guardian dogs such as the Bulgarian Shepherd, Marema Sheepdog, Anatolian Shepherd AKA Kangal, who's ancectry and genome also might be partially common with Greek Shepherd's. All Greek Shepherd dogs can appear in a way larger and more mastif form, with even more supirior strength but still mainting very similarly all the other abilities, the Great Greek Mastif, that was used from Alexander the Great as war dogs. There actually is a report that in a fight in India, Alexander the Great was about to get killed by an elephant (the opponent's army included armed elephants) but his Great Greek Mastif dog Perittas attacked the elephant and saved him.

In former times, many would crop the ears of their dogs, falsely believing doing so improved the dog's hearing; this practice gave the dogs a more curious, lopsided appearance.

The breed can be found in a broad range of colours, including white, black, brown, light-brown or a combination of these, with spotted examples being common, displaying in various lengths a thick weatherproof double-coat, adaptable through seasons. Featuring a powerful athletic build and a serious piercing look that can turn into an intense gaze.

Height: 65-78+cm, Weight 40-75+kg

The Kennel Club of Greece's breed standard^{[2] [3]}states male dogs should stand over a minimum of 66 centimetres (26 in) at the withers and that they can stand all the way up to heights such as 75cm (30in) tall. Females should be over a minimum of 60 centimetres (24 in) tall but can attain heights of 68cm The breed standard states dogs should weigh between 40 and 55 kilograms (88 and 121 lb) and bitches between 32 and 40 kilograms (71 and 88 lb). Very commonly those numbers are exceeded and the 4 variants typically range from 65-74cm (26-29in), 40-65kg (88-143lb) for females and 69-78cm (27-31in), 45-75kg (100-165lb) for males. Whereas in Great Greek mastif form, those standards are way off from representive, standing from a minimum of 74cm (30in) tall up to suspassing such numbers by far, with the dogs still remaining just as incredibly fast and athletic. Weight must be in perfect propotion with height.

The breed is renowned for its ferocity and tacticts when in guarding duties, with dogs usually taking it upon themselves and acting stratigicly, taking initiatives, functioning flawlessly with no human assistance. The Greek Shepherd is brave, indipendent, stuborn extremly dominant and will fight for hierarcy, with a decision making of it's own. It's a fearless dog that can be very loyal and make for a great guardian of its family, flock and terrritory. Greek Shepherd can cohabate very well and bond with it's humans and animals, due it it's stoic temperament. It has good mentality and sense of morality ,especially towards tolders, and is willing to fight to death in order to protect them. A gentle giant very social and loving with family members, always wary and ready to turn from a calm force into vicius warrior if needed. Very intelligent, with incredible perception, when in groups, usually makes formations that can detect threat from far away in all directions and most of the time succesfully fight of top predators such as wolves or bears. Remarkably, jackals, foxes and wolves even when in advantagerous scenarios aren't capable of outsmarting this loyal watchdog, the only breed the wolf is not tactically supirior from.

A sturdy dog of strong and well muscled construction. Capable of constant herd guarding and protection work under diverse and very harsh weather conditions, at rough terrain and with little food requirements. Equally capable of either chasing away or fighting with the threatening wild animals. The Greek Shepherd is powerful enough to kill wolves if nessecary. It's bite is very powerful, with it's well constructed jaws it can hold on bone shatering bites, or deliver multiple very strong bites in a couple of seconds only. It posseses formidable strength, power and durability, being very fast, with loads of endurance and stamina, great at climbing, diging and swiming with it's well desgined claws. Equipped with five excellent senses and wild, ancient insticts that peak in terms of guarding. It can leap very well so a tall fence is recomended. Overral can also make for: a hunting dog due to its quickness and overall athletisism and since it can track, chase and bring down prey, and a good family dog. Very adaptable, thriving in extreme cold conditions, tolerating heat surpisingly well, and can even adapt but is not suitable for apartment life if properly trained and exercised.

Typical movement is the normal trot with the head low. Movement must be free and steady when trotting, changing effortlessly to a gallop or even a very fast sprint with turning ability,and well timed manuverability, covering long distances fast with long explosive strides.^[5]

It is a slow maturing breed, with good health and strong immune sustem, longevity and of strong sexual dimorphism, especially in body substance between male and female specimens.

The breed descends from the ancient Greek Molosser type shepherds, developed through the centuries with the use of other shepherd type dogs living on Greek territory. (Mollosus of Epirus, Karakachan Shepherd, Greek White Sheepdog)^[3]

Today the breed is regarded as a primitive mountain type shepherd, of mainly guarding use.^[3]

The head is voluminous. Muzzle - skull ratio 2:3. Stop not too pronounced. The skull is slightly domed. The width of the skull is almost equal to its length. The superciliary arches are prominent. The occipital protuberance is well defined.^[2]

The muzzle is wide and deep, especially near the skull, tapering gradually to the nose, but never pointed. Nose is black with wide nostrils. The cheeks are flat and deep. Zygomatic arches well defined.^[4]

Complete dentition, strong teeth with developed canines. Scissor or level bite. Lips covering teeth are thick and slightly loose.^[4]

Of medium size, triangular, heart shaped, set at the level of the outer corner of the eyes. Placed flat over cheeks or slightly out, revealing their inner side. The ear skin is thick and covered by thick coat. When the dog is alert, ears are slightly raised forward, thus enhancing expression. Ear cropping is not allowed and cropped dogs are not allowed to be shown at dog shows.^[4]

Of medium size, oval shaped, symmetrically placed, well apart. Seen from the side they are placed approximately at the level of the stop. Of chestnut colour, darker shades preferred. Eyelids tight, not showing haw. The expression is serious, calm and penetrating.^[1]

Strong, wide, well muscled, of medium length. Neck skin is loose, forming a small dewlap.^[2]

Shoulders muscular and well attached. Shoulder blades oblique. Scapula-humerus angle is medium. Forearm straight, heavily boned and well muscled. Elbows placed parallel to chest, allowing for free chest movement. Pasterns strong and elastic.^[3]

Chest wide and deep, reaching the elbows. Ribs well sprung and arched - not excessively - offering enough space for heart and lungs. The back is level, broad, of medium length and well muscled. Underline with slight tuck up, but still strong and deep in loin area. The torso varies from relativly long to relativly short and eihter way in propotion with the dogs build.^[3]

Loin is wide, short, well muscled and slightly arched. Croup is wide and moderately sloping. Hip bones strong and prominent.^[2]

Upper thigh long, broad and very muscular. Stifle and hock joints are strong and of medium angulation, seen from the side. Second thigh of medium length. Hocks low set. Metatarsus is short, robust and vertical, when standing. Hindquarters must be strong boned and vertical, seen from behind.^[1]

Feet are oval in shape, tight with hard and harsh nails, of big size. The medial membrane is well developed and the toes are long and curved.^[2]

The tail is thick at its base, set high and reaches the hock forming a curve and a small reversal at its extremity. When the dog is alert and moves the tail rises and forms a semi-circle over the croup. The tail is covered with abundant hair and has a rich feathering. There might be some dogs with natural short tail or natural stumpy tail that are equally acceptable and breeding with the dogs with long tails is desirable to establish the breed as long as this is not genetically related with health problems.^[2]

Dense and rich with thick hair and double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense and the top coat is longer with straight or slightly wavy hair.^[3]

Curly coat is not desirable. Coat is more at the back of the thighs. There are two coat variations acceptable, the short hair and the long hair. Some male dogs have a mane.^[3] The skin is hard but elastic.

The basic colours are black, fawn, white and multicolour. In black dogs there are sometimes brown highlights and white markings in chest, neck, end of muzzle and extremities. Also there can be red or brindle areas on the cheeks, chest, over the eyes and on the legs. In fawns the colour varies from shades of light to dark fawn and brindle. In light fawn dogs and brindles it is possible to have black on the muzzle or presence of white on the muzzle or extremities. In multicolour dogs the white is dominant and we can see big or small patches or markings of fawn, brindle or black colour. If there are spots on the head it’s preferable to be symmetric. Another accepted colour is the blue. All colours are equally accepted.^[3]

• A pointed and long muzzle
• Discoloration of the nose
• Tight lips
• Light colored eyes
• Entropion or loose eyelids
• Too small or too big ears placed too high on the head
• Cropped ears
• Undershot or overshoAbsence of teeth when not accounted for by damage of old age
• Narrow and long scull
• Cow hocked or bow legged
• Weak and small feet
• Weak pasterns and hocks
• Narrow skeleton and light construction of the body
• Weak and long back that shows an intense curve from the withers to the hip bones
• Lymphatic body appearance
• Thin tail
• Lack of coat
• Curly coat
• Brown colour
• Body size that is below the standard height and weight in mature dogs over two years of age
• Dogs that are nervous or excessively aggressive

Note: Males must have two well developed normal testicles well placed in the scrotum^[3]

• List of dog breeds