About Mioritic Sheepdogs

Are you in the market for a herding dog for your family? Sheepdogs and shepherds abound in this category, including the stately and fluffy mioritic shepherd. This lesser-known giant canine breed hails from Romania, and they are independent thinkers who also mesh well in a family environment. With the right training and socialization as well as proper coat care for all that shaggy fur, a mioritic sheepdog could be the perfect companion for your brood.

Massive in size and tipping the scales at 100 to 130 pounds, the mioritic dog has deep roots far away in the Carpathian Mountains of Central Europe. Bred to herd livestock, like sheep, and to protect them from wolves and other predators, this intelligent pup excels at his guardian task.

This dog type is rather territorial and is known to bark sharply if anything is amiss in his general vicinity. This could mean a stranger approaching the yard or a child wandering away from the swing set. The mioritic shepherd prefers to view his surroundings from up high, often on a small hill.

Because of this animal's great size and strength, a strong hand is necessary when walking a mioritic lest the owner be pulled over if she decides to give chase. Still, this large dog isn't as energetic as some in the herding category, which means that after the more active puppy stage, a daily walk is usually enough of an outing for this gentle giant. For the most part, a mioritic sheepdog is content to sit quietly and survey all that she sees.

As for this dog breed's health, not much is known about it, as so few of these canines are actually in the United States. Since the mioritic shepherd is so big, it's likely that this pet will experience some of the same conditions as other dogs of the same size, including bloat and hip dysplasia.

While this dog's fur may lead you to believe otherwise, when it comes to grooming a mioritic sheepdog, the job isn't terribly high maintenance. There's no need to bathe her, as dry care is preferred since dirt and debris tend to drop away or can be brushed off your dog each week. If you practice grooming your mioritic early and often, she'll come to accept it if not truly enjoy it.

While you consider a mioritic sheepdog for your family, it's a good idea to become familiar with how herding dogs operate so you know what to expect. Herding breeds are highly intelligent and tend to do best when they have specific tasks to accomplish. Many of these canines are quite athletic and ready to walk, run, and hike for long periods of time.

Beyond their physical needs, herders also require stimulation and regular challenges so their mind stays active, and boredom is avoided. A bored pup can be a naughty one, and you don't want to come home to find that your dining room table's legs have been shredded to splinters, or your favorite blanket is in tatters.

To help the training process run smoothly, consider designating one person to be in charge so your pet will get consistent attention and feedback from a single source. Also know that because herders are bred to nip the animals they're supposed to keep in line, the same can happen with kids' fingers and clothing. They may also try to herd or chase anything that moves, like bikers, other animals, toddlers, and more. Be steady and constant with your training and begin as early as you can or from the moment you adopt your older mioritic.