Romanian Bucovinian Shepherd Dog

The Bucovina Shepherd Dog is a dog traditionally used in Romania to protect flocks from large predators of Bucovina. In 1934, Dr. Radulescu-Calafat, who is at the origin of the drafting of the standard of the Carpathian Romanian Shepherd Dog, specifies that there is also a molossiod-type Romanian Shepherd Dog, called Zavod or Dulau. However, World War II and then the communist regime interrupted the homologation processes of Romanian dog breeds. The development of the breed is resumed by a few passionate breeders from Romania in the 1980s. The first standard is written in 1982. It is then adapted to meet the conditions of the International Canine Federation (FCI) in 2002. The breed is accepted provisionally in 2009. Outside its country of origin, the Bucovina Shepherd Dog is extremely rare. The breed club in France is the Club of Eastern and Italian Shepherd Dogs (CBEI), however there are no registrations in the French stud book from 2005 to 2012.

The Bucovina Shepherd Dog is described in the FCI standard as a balanced, calm, courageous dog. Suspicious of strangers, he nonetheless appreciates children.

The Bucovina Shepherd Dog is a large mountain dog, molossoid type, vigorous in appearance without being heavy. Males are taller and stronger than females. The body fits almost in a square. Set high, the tail reaches or slightly exceeds the hock. At rest, it is carried pending; in alert, the tail is carried raised and slightly curved. The gaits are harmonious, supple and well coordinated. The preferred gait is the trot, and the gallop is sustained and balanced. The head is powerful and massive. The upper profiles of the skull and muzzle are approximately parallel. The occipital protuberance is well marked. The stop is not too marked. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull: it tapers toward the nose without being pointed. The eyes of medium size are arranged obliquely, with a hazel, dark brown or slightly lighter color. Attached relatively high, the ears are V-shaped with the end slightly rounded. Of length ranging from ten to fifteen centimeters, they fall well against the cheeks. The coat is rough texture, straight and long at least ten centimeters. The undercoat is dense and supple, of light color. The coat can be bicolored or solid. For coats with white patches, the base is white with well-defined spots of black or gray color. Solid coats are entirely white or gray.