Rumanian Sheepdog

COUNTRY: Rumania
Weight
Male 32-45 kg kg (70-100 lb)
Height
Male 65-73 cm (25-29 in)
Female 59-67 cm (23-26 in) Coat Rough, abundant and straight
Life span 12-14 years



The flock guard of Rumania was fostered in the Carpathian Mountains of eastern Rumania and is closely related to the mountain dogs of Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Like his Greek and Yugoslavian relatives, the Rumanian Sheepdog is noted for his surly temper. The practice of attaching a log to the collar was also common with these dogs, as a protection for passersby—and for the dogs themselves. Not only did this keep him nearby, but it identified him as owned properly. Dogs without the log and collar were often shot on sight!

Farther south, near the Balkans, the Rumanian was larger, smoother coated and found in many dark or even piebald colors. This variety was used for hauling and carting as well as flock guarding. Most probably, their differences were due to crosses with mastiff or pariah types found near the coast. In the higher, isolated elevations the white mountain strains remained pure.


The usual practice was to dock the last third of the tail. In excitement, the shortened tail brush was held aloft like a feather duster.

These two types were described by the cynol-ogist, Clifford Hubbard, in the 1940s, but information since that time has been scarce, and none of these dogs have found their way to the Western World. Like so many of these old working breeds, they remained in use in remote areas. Today, the Rumanian Kennel Club recognizes the types as two distinct breeds. They are still used only by shepherds solely as working animals. Cynologists today worry about the dilution that is occurring in these Rumanian dogs as the number of purebred specimens dwindles. Rumanian dog lovers hope others will join them in sufficient numbers to sponsor and promote these native breeds.