" South Russian character" (J.Michko, V. Belenkiy)

There is probably no dog with such deceptive appearance, than SRO. People very often make conclusion about dog’s character according to appearance. So black dog are considered to be more frightening than white ones. And tailless somehow rate more baleful, than dogs with tale. For those, who don’t know dogs very good rotveiler looks very different dangerous – probably this is the reason why in film “Paternoster” the role of the Satan dog plays the dog of this breed. But white, tailed, shaggy youzhak seems as the implementation of good nature. This dog every passing by human wants to stroke, and some mothers send their babies to give the lick of delicious to the dog. How they are wrong!

SRO is one of the most dangerous dogs. Speaking of South Russian character, first of all, his explosive temperament should be mentioned. Long, bushy coat make an impression of heaviness and bulkiness (the same mistaken conclusion do the visitors of ZOO, when they are supervise of the polar bear). But in reality SRO is lightning-like as in the decision, so in the move. Blood of borzoi, which runs in its veins makes this dog the quickest of all heavily built watch breed.

From what ancestors this dog took high aggressiveness to the strangers we don’t know, but this quality have to be taken into attention from the very beginning of his bringing up in the most loving age. A very young puppy is ready to protect his toys, house, mat, masters, but if you let matters drift, you can’t escape troubles.  Soon enough four-legged teenager will understand that he’s the strongest in the house, that this allows him to rule his masters and all other people. This kind of dog becomes a socially dangerous element.

But, to consider, that if the dog is malicious from its nature it is mean, that he can’t be handled is also wrong. The whole matter is in a good upbringing and dog’s ability to learn received lesson. SRO is o.k. with learning, dogs learn amply easy and remember everything that was explained for a long time. Training the dog you should remember about the basic peculiarities of the character. Dog of this breed are choleric, and this means that more attention should be given to developing of the restrain commands, SRO are very independent and inclined to domination, that’s why its’ necessary to try to get their implicit obedience.

You should be very attentive to the forming of attitudes with growing dog in the critical period. Many heavily built breeds have mental development behind the physical and goes through stages. Bitches have this period noticeably smoothed, dogs – pronounced very gaily. From all known breeds these stages are mostly neatly show up in SRO. Physically grown and fortified in health dog that looks mature, for a long time continue to behave like a puppy. This is an unpleasant period: already shows an aggression in this time combines with diffidence and even cowardice. The owner is very uneasy pass through about his dog being such a pathological coward. He is very often ashamed of his pet, and sorry of the unsuccessful choice of the breed. But this man is lamenting on dog no purpose. It is not dog’s fault. Let’s see the beginning of the hard critical age. Dog becomes as if possessed by a demon. The dog doesn’t carry out master’s orders, conflict with other dogs. In comparison with other breeds, SRO this period is very rapid: a week, two weeks. In this time for the owner is very important too keep the leaders position. When a dog has got completely out of hand, you can’t retreat, you should oppose patience and steadfastness to his caprices. If the owner has missed this “dangerous age”, decided that these caprices are because of the bad general condition and other external reasons it is awfully badly. Unlikely this man will ever make his SRO really obedient.

Mature SRO, especially dog is brave, strong, self-confident animal. If the owner made sure that bravery hasn’t turned into malice to everything live around and self-confidence to stubbornness, he will get a dog not only of astonishing beauty, but also very smart and with most interesting behavior. Yes, it’s not so easy to bring up SRO, but result rewards all the efforts.

Good civilized SRO perfectly fits to be in the house, since its highly developed intellect makes it good and not very tiresome companion. Unlike the other breeds with wild temperament (Setter, Doberman, Collie) this dog tips his energy out on the airing, but calm enough at home. Independence, which sometimes stands in the way during the training, makes use when keeping SRO on the plot. SRO doesn’t feel loneliness every minute; it easy makes decisions connecting with the territory protection.

(translation by S. Kokonena)