Dog breed
The Romanian Bucovina Shepherd Dog (Romanian: Ciobănesc Românesc de Bucovina) is a breed of livestock guardian dogs native to the historical Bukovina (Bucovina) region. The breed is closely related to other livestock guardian breeds of the region, such as the Greek Shepherd, Tornjak, or Šarplaninac. There are four Romanian shepherd dog breeds: the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog (old name Barac), the Carpathian Shepherd Dog (old name Zăvod), the Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog, and the Bucovina Shepherd Dog. In the FCI, this particular breed is officially dubbed the "Romanian Bucovina Shepherd".
Temperament: The Bucovina Shepherd Dog was bred to protect sheep flocks and cattle herds, and proves courageous and very combative when potential predators are afoot. It is an excellent watchdog, having a very deep, powerful bark and being very alert when strangers enter its territory.
Appearance: Large sized dog; commanding, haughty and proud.
Coat: Head and the front part of the legs are covered with short hair. On the body, hair is abundant, long (6–9 centimetres (2.4–3.5 in)), hair is much longer forming a mane; on the backside of the forequarters, the hair forms fringes; on the backside of hindquarters, the hair is longer and forms culottes. The tail is bushy.
Size: The male Bucovina Shepherd is 68–78 centimetres (27–31 in) tall. The females are close in size, at 64–72 centimetres (25–28 in).
History: It is a natural breed with its origin in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Special attention for the development of the breed arose in the regions of northeastern Romania, in the region of Bucovina, an area known for transhumance pastoralism. Selection and improvement have led to the actual type. The breed is used both for defending the flocks and herds and as watchdogs for households in the mentioned regions.
The first breed standard was written in 1982 and updated in 2001 by the Asociația Chinologică Româna (Romanian Kennel Club). The present standard, dating from March 29, 2002, was written and updated according to the model established in 1987 by the FCI General Assembly in Jerusalem.
In 2019, the Bucovina Shepherd Dog became fully recognized by the FCI.
