The Complete Guide About Greek Sheepdog: Info, Care, and More!

Height:	24-30 Inches
Weight:	71-121 pounds
Lifespan:	10- 12 years
Colors:	Black, white and brown, black, white and white, brown
For:	Active families experienced owners
Temperament:	Protective, intelligent, active

As you would expect, the Greek Sheepdog was born in Greece.

Although the origins of this breed are unknown, it is believed to be ancient. They are very similar to sheepdogs from other countries, which suggests they share a common ancestor.

Some of these breeds can be difficult to distinguish even today. Some dogs could be bred to one or the other breed. A dog’s breed could have been determined more by its geographic location than its actual genetics, even a few hundred centuries ago.

The Greek Sheepdog isn’t very common today. Although they are frequently used as work dogs, they can also be kept in Greece as companions. These dogs are very rare in the United States and other countries.

Puppies of Greek Sheepdog Puppies – Before You Buy

How Much Are Greek Sheepdog Puppies Worth?

Finding a dog to adopt these canines is the biggest obstacle.

They are extremely rare in the United States. It is possible to import them from Greece. Travel costs can run into the hundreds.

These dogs can be purchased from a qualified breeder for around $750. These breeders won’t be found anywhere outside of Greece. You will need to add about $300-$500 transportation costs to the price of your dog.

While some breeders will ship internationally, others will need you to travel to the country to pick up your dog. Prices will vary between these options. Before you buy a puppy, do your research. Travel costs can get expensive.

Three Little-Known Facts about Greek Sheepdogs

1. They might not be considered a distinct breed.

Some argue that Greek Sheepdogs can be mistaken for other breeds. These dogs were originally used to herd sheep from the Balkans who migrated each year over Greece and the Sar Mountains.

These dogs traveled to many countries in different periods. These dogs may have been named in different regions, which led to different breeds eventually.

2. The Greek Shepherd is in decline

These dogs, like many other dog breeds, are less popular today than they were in the past. Their numbers started to decline as they became less useful in sheep farming. Although there have been several breeding programs to help revive the breed, only about 3,000 dogs are known today.

3. The AKC doesn’t recognize them.

This breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. They aren’t common in the United States and no one has tried to get them recognized yet. They are not considered a breed, but it does not mean they haven’t been shown in the States.

Temperament and Intelligence of the Greek Shepherd

The Greek Shepherd was originally developed to guard sheep. Their fierceness when protecting what they consider their own is well-known. Numerous dogs have been known to guard all sheep in an area, and not just the ones they were assigned to.

Many shepherds protected thousands upon thousands of sheep during the annual sheep migration in Greece.

People who walked in rural areas often carried weapons against Greek Shepherds to protect themselves from being mistaken for thieves. Even shepherds had to be cautious about approaching sheep without a good relationship.

These dogs don’t have an instinctive tendency to be aggressive. These dogs are excellent guard dogs because they protect what is theirs. Although they were originally bred to guard sheep, their instincts quickly transferred to humans.

As you might expect, the Greek Sheepdog can be wary of strangers. They can be reserved with long-standing family friends and will only seek attention from their closest family members. To ensure they don’t become aggressive towards anyone who walks in front of them, they need to be socialized extensively.

This breed was originally bred for work. This breed is not recommended for new owners as they can be quite a handful.

Are these dogs good for families?

Because they are extremely protective and bond with their family members, it is possible. They need to be socialized or they may become too protective.

Because of their larger stature, they can live with more children. Even exuberant children are not easily hurt. They are less likely to be afraid of them, which reduces the likelihood of aggression.

This canine needs to be socialized. They can be a bit aggressive if they are not socialized.

These dogs are best for families with lots of time. These dogs require a lot of work. They’re not just for family, they were designed to work. They can also be more than most families can handle.

Is this breed compatible with other pets?

Both yes and no. If they are socialized properly, they can be good friends with other dogs. To ensure they have a good relationship with other dogs, socialize with them often when they are puppies.

They would have been raised with other sheepdogs and worked alongside them as they grew up. Their protective instinct can lead to aggression towards dogs they don’t know. They could even be trying to harm sheep. ).

Socialization should be started at an early age. Your dog may become afraid of other dogs if they aren’t used to socializing with them. Dogs often perceive anything new as dangerous. Your job is to make socializing with other dogs an enjoyable part of your daily life.

Greek Sheepdogs are able to get along with cats and other animals. Although they do possess a little prey drive, most of their attention is on herding. They often attempt to herd cats and other similar animals, which can be frustrating for other animals.

For this reason, we don’t recommend that they be kept in homes with other pets. Even though they don’t actually cause any harm, their herding behavior can be quite aggressive and stressful for other animals.

How to Own a Greek Sheepdog

Food & Diet Requirements

The Greek Sheepdog doesn’t require special nutrition as compared to other dogs. They will eat any high-quality, commercial dog food. You might consider food that is specifically made for large dogs, as Greek Sheepdogs can grow quite large.

It is important to provide puppy food specifically designed for large-breed puppies when these dogs are still growing. Greek Sheepdogs are large and require special nutritional requirements in order to grow. They may have joint and bone problems later on if they get too much nutrition.

Large breed puppies have different nutritional requirements than smaller dogs. You should provide them with food that is specifically made for them.

Also, be mindful not to give your dog too many calories. Uneven growth can be caused by too many calories. This can lead to many health problems, but the most common is hip dysplasia.

This is usually caused by the ball or socket growing at an excessive rate and preventing the joint from aligning properly. The dog may develop arthritis-like symptoms as a result of excessive wear and tear.

Exercise

These dogs are required to be exercised regularly as they are work animals. Dogs need to be active and stimulated mentally. They thrive when they have a job, even if they’re only companions. They love agility competitions and any activity that keeps them moving and thinking simultaneously.

They are recommended for active families only. They can become bored quickly and destructive if they don’t get enough exercise. Boredom and exercise are two of the most common reasons for destructive behavior in dogs. They will try to have their own fun if they don’t get enough. This usually means they will eat your couch.

The Greek Sheepdog will need to get at least two hours of exercise each day. You can do this by taking brisk walks or engaging in lots of physical play. You should do moderate to intense exercise.

Apartments are not suitable for them because of their high exercise requirements. They thrive in large yards that allow them to run and play. You can’t expect them to get enough exercise if they are in a fenced area.

They won’t often get up and move about unless you encourage them.

Training

The Greek Sheepdog can be trained. They are smart and can bond well with their families. They are not as easily trained as Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds.

Their primary function was to protect sheep. This job does not require any training. This breed is naturally herding instinctive, so training is unnecessary.

They were not often bred with the intention of improving their trainability.

Their intelligence allows them to learn many commands. It is possible to expect them to learn quickly, especially if they are young.

However, their intelligence comes with the need to be mentally stimulated. Greek Shepherds need to be challenged or they will become bored. These dogs shouldn’t try to make their own fun. It will likely be something you don’t enjoy.

These dogs need to be trained if they want to stay alert. It is not difficult to get these dogs to understand commands. Your main problem is usually coming up with new ways to teach them.

Training classes are highly recommended, especially if they involve interaction with other dogs. You should also consider enrolling in advanced classes. After all, you’ll need to do something with your dog.

Grooming

Because of its long, thick coat, the Greek Sheepdog needs to be groomed regularly. They require a lot of grooming.

To keep your dog’s coat free of tangles, you should brush it at least once a week. Even if your dog is active, daily brushing is better than none. This can be difficult because of their large sizes.

These brushing sessions will help maintain their hair’s cleanliness. This will help remove a lot of the loose hair that these dogs produce. Brushing can remove dirt and other debris to keep your dog’s hair clean longer.

Regular brushing helps to move the dog’s natural oils around its fur, which keeps it shiny and healthy. A well-oiled coat will make it less likely for your dog to get dirty, which can lead to better skin health.

You won’t need to bathe your dog as often if you keep up with these grooming sessions. You can use the brush to remove dirt and dust. It is not necessary to bathe them.

A bath is necessary if your dog likes to play in the mud. Too many baths can cause skin and fur irritation and health problems.

These dogs do not require professional grooming. Because they can’t regulate their body temperature, it is important not to trim them too often. You don’t need to take them to the groomer if you brush them frequently at home.

You will need to brush their teeth and trim their nails, just like all dogs. Brushing your teeth should be done at least once a week. However, it is better to do it daily. You should keep an eye on your nails and trim them if they get too long.

If your dog can be heard walking on a hard surface, it is likely that they have too many nails. When your dog walks, it shouldn’t touch the ground. This can be done at home or by a professional.

If you aren’t comfortable doing the job yourself, many groomers offer walk-in nail trimming services.

A Greek Sheepdog’s ears can be infected due to their loose design. They should be checked for dirt and debris regularly to prevent infection. It may be necessary to clean your ears regularly.

You should immediately take your dog to the vet if you notice redness in their ears or if they seem irritated. Ear infections can quickly become serious.

Health and Conditions

The Greek Sheepdog is generally healthy. The Greek Sheepdog was bred to be practical, so the best dogs were often chosen to have puppies. This has resulted in a healthy breed.

They are still susceptible to certain diseases.

Because these dogs are so rare, we don’t have much information about their health. Few studies have been done on this breed and the majority of them don’t involve health. Because so few dogs are known to have health issues, it is difficult to determine which diseases only affect certain lines or which can spread throughout the breed.

The breed is made up only of a few bloodlines.

These dogs could develop health problems, but we can only make educated guesses. These problems are most likely due to the dogs’ larger sizes, which can cause them additional problems.

Hip dysplasia is a common problem in larger dogs. Because they take longer to grow, their hips are more likely to become uneven. Wearing makes it more difficult for the hips to get straight again.

When the dog is fully grown the hip joint will already be showing the first signs of arthritis.

While genetics play a part in this condition, you also need to consider environmental factors. Hip dysplasia can be caused by overexercising and underfeeding dogs.

This breed may also have bloat. Bloat is more common in large dogs that have deep chests.

Bloat is a condition that no one really knows the cause of. We do know that bloat is caused by gas building up in the stomach. Sometimes, the stomach twists. It is not known what lifestyle factors are or the cause of this condition.

Many suggestions have been made, but no significant scientific studies have been done to prove anything.

Minor Conditions

• Infections of the ear

Male vs. Male vs.

Their size is the only difference between males & females. Males tend to be larger than females, often by quite a lot.

Males can weigh 121 pounds while females are limited to 88. Females are usually a few inches higher than males.

There is no evidence to suggest that any other factors are different. They are identical in temperament. Although there are some misconceptions about which sex is more aggressive, this does not seem to be the case among Greek Sheepdog breeders.

Their temperament and aggression levels are more affected by their socialization than their sex. You may meet an aggressive dog whose sex is not related to its temperament.

Last Thoughts

The Greek Shepherd is an uncommon dog. They can be found only in Greece and are very rare. They are estimated to be as few as 3000.

You will likely have to import one from Greece if you are interested in adopting one.

This breed was bred for practical reasons. They managed sheep herding and guardian until a few decades ago. They are still used by many shepherds for this purpose.

These dogs have strong guarding instincts that are similar to many other herding dog breeds. It is important to socialize with them in order to make sure they are open to new people and not too protective of their families.

They are intelligent and can be trained and socialized easily. Start at a young age. However, their intelligence means that they need to be stimulated mentally.

This breed is not recommended for novice dog owners. You must be careful with them as they have guarding instincts.