Consider These 13 Factors Before Purchasing a Sarplaninac Puppy

The Sarplaninac is a rare and old breed of dog originally from the Sharplanina region of southern Serbia and northern Macedonia. Although the ancestry of these canines is a mystery, it is widely held that they originated among the ancient Molosser dogs of the Balkans. They were first recognized in 1939 as the Illyrian Shepherd Dog, but in 1957 it was renamed to reflect its newfound prominence in Yugoslavia. It was called the Sharplanina or Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog. These sturdy breeds have been used as security dogs, police dogs, combat dogs, and even in the military. Interested in this breed? You've come to the right article. Here are the things you need to consider before taking one pup home!

The Sarplaninac is very protective.

The dog's primary duty was to watch over the farm animals. It keeps predators like wolves, lynxes, bears, and foxes away from the herds of sheep, goats, and cattle.

Moreover, these canines have exceptional concentration and drive. Their focus is on getting the task done, rather than on having fun. They thrive in situations where they are tasked with providing security, such as guarding.

Dogs of this breed tend to be quiet and shy, but they are nonetheless protective and devoted. When there are no other animals around, it will treat people as if they were sheep and will defend them.

The Sarplaninac is a dynamic creature: peaceful and collected at home, it becomes a ferocious monster at the first sight of threat and trouble. The dog is completely devoted to its role as a protector, and it shows unwavering loyalty to its own family.

They have a very sweet disposition towards children.

Dogs of the Sarplaninac breed are well-liked for their gentle demeanor, loyalty, and warmth for their human families. They're good with kids they've grown up with and get along great with other pets in the house.

It's best to start socializing your young Sarplaninac with kids as soon as possible if you intend to raise him or her in a household with kids. Naturally, we also recommend teaching children in the house how to read the most fundamental signs of canine body language.

Avoid leaving your young children alone with your Sarplaninac, or any dog, for that matter. Remember that dogs do not appreciate being hugged or kissed and that they also do not enjoy being poked, prodded, or played with too harshly.

When it comes to kids, they're like older brothers to everyone. They will watch over them and keep them safe.

They tend to be suspicious of strangers.

The Sarplaninac dogs have keen senses and will alert you to any threats by barking. When faced with actual danger, this dog will transform into a wild animal and charge in without hesitation.

It does best in the countryside, where it may roam freely and protect animals. The Yugoslavian army makes use of these ferocious and robust giants as military dogs.

They are careful and skeptical of outsiders. With new people, they put up a wall. To help your dog learn the difference between friends and foes, early socialization is essential.

And yet, despite this, the Sarplanic is not naturally hostile. He is apprehensive of strangers but will only take action if he and his family or herd are threatened.

Because of these qualities, the Sarplaninac is an excellent watchdog. Its even temperament makes it a good match for owners who like to take things easy, and its love and loyalty can make it a true man's closest friend.

They make excellent watchdogs as well as guard dogs.

They don't tend to bark excessively, but if they start howling nonstop, something probably bad is about to happen. The aptitude of this breed to protect livestock was widely recognized. This dog has so much bravery and strength that he is a real danger to any predator.

The breed is extremely dedicated to its work. While on the job, a Sarplaninac dog will look into anything that seems unusual and will not back down from larger threats. This breed may not make the best pets, but they are quite loyal when it comes to protecting and are very flexible when it comes to adjusting to new animals.

It needs a huge space they can run around.

The dog is too big for a small space like an apartment. This animal does well on a farm where it has room to roam and can protect the livestock. Outdoor activities are the dog's favorite. It finds that being inactive is quite stressful, so it thrives when it is actively engaged in some kind of task.

There is no need to provide it with different mental and physical stimuli if it is working on farms. But if they are not able to do that, they should be provided with plenty of opportunities for physical and mental activity.

It is not the type of company you want when you want to stay in bed all day. There is no difficulty with the Sarplaninac sleeping in the open air. A thick coat protects this dog from the cold.

Keep in mind that these canines are purebred mountain dogs, meaning they were built to endure long journeys across difficult terrain. They may not be the most high-energy canines, but they still require plenty of room and action every day to ensure they are happy and healthy.

They come in varied colors.

They are available in a variety of solid colors, including black, gray, sable, fawn, and white. The undercoat needs to have a paler tint than the topcoat. Large patches of white color on their coat are inappropriate.

The fluffy coat of this dog breed is one of its most distinctive features. An abundance of fur covers its body. Because it has a double coat, your dog will stay toasty warm even in the coldest regions.

It's not a good idea to shave your Sarplaninac dog because it can create skin irritation. The coat of this breed was developed for the express purpose of protecting your dog from the elements, making it a mistake to shave him during the warmer summer months.

They are quite easy to keep.

When you first lay eyes on a Sarplaninac dog, you'll notice that this double-coated breed sheds heavily. The thick coat of the Sarplaninac requires frequent brushing—at least once every several days. Its coat, while not entirely self-cleaning, is fairly weatherproof, and hence requires surprisingly little maintenance on your part.

It is important to avoid giving your Sarplaninac too many baths and to only use shampoos and conditioners that are made for canine hair. The best shampoo for your Sarplaninac will be one that does not contain any additives, colors, parabens, or alcohol that could dry out the skin and damage the fur.

It's also important to remember that shaving your Sarplaninac dog is not a smart idea. Shaving your dog's coat may cause more problems than it solves, even if you live in a warmer environment.

As with many other double-coated dog breeds, the Sarplaninac dog's coat serves as a defense mechanism against extremes in temperature. They are more susceptible to heatstroke, sunburn, and hot patches after being shaved.

You should also examine and clean your Sarplaninac's ears regularly in addition to brushing him and giving him occasional baths. Take special care to keep the ears dry, clean, and clear of wax buildup so that it doesn't have ear infections.

To prevent the nails from cracking or splitting during play or exercise, your Sarplaninac dog needs to have them trimmed every few weeks with a nail trimmer or pet nail grinder.

Finally, it is recommended daily tooth brushing with dog-friendly toothbrushes and toothpaste. You may also get some canine dental wipes and puppy dental snacks to help keep the teeth and gums in good shape.

They have very high energy.

All Sarplaninac canines require extensive daily walks. They enjoy the outdoors and will often play on their own without the owner's prompting. The Sarplaninac is therefore a great choice for a camping and hiking partner because of this.

These huge herding dogs require at least an hour or two of daily activity. They were originally developed to traverse the harsh terrain of the Yugoslavian highlands, therefore they are capable of walking long distances.

Indeed, the dog would rather expend its energy in productive ways. The Sarplaninac is prone to negative habits like worry, tension, and sadness if he is not kept occupied and given a job to complete. This might cause long-term behavioral problems, so anyone looking to adopt a Sarplaninac must have a firm grasp on the breed's specific requirements.

They can be independent-minded.

They have a mind of their own and act independently. The breed's natural stubbornness might make them challenging to train at first. But they are fiercely loyal to their loved ones. Even if they aren't overly loving, they're still nice to pet and will tolerate being hugged.

The Sarplaninac dogs need to be trained and socialized early.

Once you bring your puppy home, you should immediately begin training it. They need to learn social skills and basic obedience. While the Sarplaninac can be a loving family pet for the appropriate people, it is still a working dog at heart, therefore it may display aggressive behavior if it isn't trained and socialized from a young age.

It's important to socialize your Sarplaninac as much as possible while he's still a puppy by exposing him to as many new experiences as possible. It is vital to make the sessions brief, fun, and difficult so that you can capture and hold your pet's attention and get the most out of the time spent together.

The Sarplaninac dog, like any other breed, responds well to treat- and praise-based positive reinforcement training. When training your Sarplaninc, don't resort to harsh methods that can make him afraid of you or make him feel bad for misbehaving.

Always feed your dog a well-balanced diet recommended by your vet.

A healthy, well-balanced diet is crucial for its growth and development. The optimal diet for a Sarplaninac would be one designed for large-breed dogs, as these require more calories, more fat, more carbs, more vitamins, more minerals, more nutrients, and more water than smaller breeds require.

If you have any questions regarding what your dog should eat, you should feel free to ask your vet. Homemade dog food, or even a raw diet, can be an excellent option for your pet.

They are susceptible to some minor health issues.

The Sarplaninac dog is free of major health problems, but it is more likely to sustain an injury in the line of duty than other breeds. Large-breed dogs, especially, are prone to developing hip dysplasia.

Arthritis is a painful inflammation of the joints that can affect any part of the body. The dog may get overweight if it is fed too much food. The amount of food you give your dog should be proportional to its weight.

Dislocation of the thighbone or patellar tendon causes the kneecap to move out of place and cause pain for your dog. The typical lifespan of a Sarplaninac is 12 years. When applied to canine species with bigger sizes, this represents a considerable amount of time.

This dog, however, is a purebred, meaning that its genetic traits have been carefully selected for, and its expected lifespan is accurate, barring any unforeseen health problems.

They are not ideal for novice dog parents.

The Sarplaninac dog is not the best choice for a first-time dog owner looking for a warm and fuzzy friend. If you're a novice dog owner, you probably shouldn't get this breed because of its purposeful build. The Sarplaninac may not be friendly with humans, but it makes a fantastic flock guard.

In summary, these intelligent, hardworking canines need a committed owner who can invest a great deal of time and energy in their care. The Sarplaninac will surely win your heart with its enormous personality and endearing softness. For several hundred years at least, it has stood in for herding, guarding, and watchdogs. They are best suited to an active, committed, and loyal owner who understands the mental and emotional demands of working dogs and can provide for them daily. We hope we’ve covered everything you need to consider before taking this one home. Now, one question remains, is the Sarplaninac the ideal dog for you?