Ferocious Dog Breed Devotes Itself To Flock

Ferocious Dog Breed Devotes Itself To Flock LIVESTOCK DOGS 28-3-9 There are only a few hundred Sharplaninec (pronounced shar-pla-nee-natz) dogs in North America, but this ancient breed of guard dog is renowned for its extraordinary bravery, strength, intelligence and large teeth. They are native to the mountains of Macedonia but have been bred in the U.S. since the mid æ70s. Historians believe this breed may have served as Alexander the Great's palace dogs more than 2,000 years ago. Named after the Sar Planina Mountains, they are slightly smaller than other livestock guarding breeds, but easily make up for that in their devotion, fearlessness and quickness to react to danger. Males average 150 lbs. and females generally range from 100 to 120 lbs.. They come in all shades of gray and may have small white leg "stockings" and/or a star on the chest. According to the Sharplaninec Club International, two dogs can protect a flock of 15,000 sheep, and one can fight several wolves and emerge victorious. Bears are another common predator in the mountains of their native land, and these dogs are known for their heroics. Sharplaninecs are calm, steady and loyal to family members, but wary of strangers. They are a guarding dog and not a herding dog, according to club secretary Lisa Mackey of North Carolina. "They are wonderful - I would never have any other breed," Mackey says. "I once had a Sharplaninnec that nursed 10 puppies and four lambs over several weeks. I could go on for a long time telling about the many great experiences I've had owning this breed." There are currently about 2,000 of them worldwide. They are sometimes called Shar Planinetz, Shara, Sarplaninec, Le Charplaninatz and Sharplaninatz, depending on the country they are found in. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Sharplaninec Club International, 275 Brooks Cove Rd., Candler, N.C. 28715 (ph 828 667-0089; email: mackeysacres@charter.net; website: www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/8220).

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