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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+3
Dogs
# The Yugoslavian Shepherd: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Serbia, Macedonia
The Yugoslav Shepherd is a large, robust dog, solidly built and well proportioned, with a generously thick coat.
Size LargeLife expectancy 11–14 yearsBudget ≈ €156/monthPuppy €800 – €1,500
[Find a breeder 1](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-yugoslavian-shepherd-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=yugoslavian-shepherd-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Limited
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Calm: His composed temperament makes daily life serene when his needs are respected.
- Loyal: He shows unwavering loyalty to his owner.
- Protective: His strong guarding instinct makes him a natural guardian of his family and his territory.
- Robust: Hardy and resilient, he generally enjoys solid health.
- Not well-suited to apartment living: Its large size and pastoral heritage orient it toward wide open spaces.
- Wary of strangers: Its natural reserve requires early training and socialization.
- Heavy shedding: Hair loss can become abundant during shedding periods.
- Tendency to gain weight: Its body condition must be monitored carefully.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Calm owner: His composed temperament suits a serene, consistent and respectful person.
- Life in the countryside: He thrives more in the fresh air and in vast spaces.
- Owner looking for a guard dog: His loyalty and protective instinct fit this profile well.
Not recommended for
- Exclusively apartment living: Its size and its need for space make this setting poorly suited.
- Education based on coercion: Its sensitivity and its pride rule out power struggles.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
67 cmYugoslavian Shepherd
- Height at the withers
- 62–72 cm
- Weight
- 30–50 kg
- Coat
- Long, coarse and dense
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Serbia, Macedonia
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Yugoslavian Shepherd in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Although the Yugoslav Shepherd has been bred for a very long time in a region that once belonged to Yugoslavia, its older origins go back to Antiquity. It would seem that it descends from the Molossus of Epirus. The shepherds of the mountainous regions of the south-east of the former Yugoslavia, today shared between Serbia and Macedonia, bred the Charplanina for its remarkable guarding and herding abilities with sheep flocks. The breed then spread throughout the whole Yugoslav territory and joined the FCI registers in 1939 under the name Illyrian Shepherd Dog. In 1957, the name Yugoslav Shepherd Dog of Charplanina was officially adopted by the FCI. The official standard cited by the source was published on 24 November 1970.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Yugoslav Shepherd is a large, robust dog, solidly built and well proportioned. Its head, long and proportionate to the body, has a broad and slightly convex skull, a little pronounced stop, a broad and deep muzzle as well as a broad, black nose. Its almond-shaped eyes range from dark chestnut to light chestnut and express calmness. Its medium ears, V-shaped, are pendant and close to the cheeks. The neck is broad and muscular, the back straight and broad, the croup sloping and well muscled, the chest deep and the belly tucked up. The long tail, strong at its base and saber-shaped, reaches the tip of the hock and is raised in action. The coat measures about 7 to 12 cm on the body, where it is relatively flat and rather coarse, with a short, fine and dense undercoat. It is shorter on the head and the front of the limbs. The coat color is solid, from white to very dark brown almost black, with a preference for iron gray and dark gray. Small white markings on the chest or toes are permitted in pigmented subjects, and the shades are darker on the top of the head, the neck and the trunk.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Yugoslav Shepherd stands out for its great calm and unwavering loyalty to its owner. Its protective instinct is pronounced and it shows a natural wariness toward strangers, without being excessively aggressive or fearful. Sensitive, rather proud and relatively independent, it builds its obedience on a relationship of trust and good rapport with its owner.
Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Yugoslav Shepherd clearly prefers the countryside and the fresh air to urban life. Its size and its herding dog heritage make it happier in wide open spaces. Its sporting needs remain moderate: a long daily walk and calm activities alongside its owner suit it.
Training
## Training and socialization
Its training is not particularly difficult if it starts early. It must be firm, consistent and free of any power struggle. This sensitive and proud dog responds better to a relationship based on trust, respect and closeness with its owner.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Yugoslavian Shepherd
The purchase price varies depending on the breeder and the dog's profile.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/yugoslavian-shepherd-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
Rustic, robust and resilient, the Yugoslav Shepherd generally enjoys good health. As with other large dogs, the risk of hip dysplasia must nevertheless be taken into consideration.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/yugoslavian-shepherd-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
Large mountain dog, the Yugoslav Shepherd needs a complete diet, not too energy-rich if it lives in the lowlands. Growth must remain slow to protect the joints.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/yugoslavian-shepherd-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The breed is also known under the names Yugoslav Shepherd Dog of Charplanina, Charplanina and Sarplaninac. Its former official name with the FCI was Illyrian Shepherd Dog.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Yugoslavian Shepherd
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Yugoslavian Shepherd a dog for beginners?
No. It is an independent and territorial livestock guardian dog that requires experience and clear boundaries.
### Can it live in the city?
Rarely under good conditions. It needs space, a role, and very careful socialization.
## Find a Yugoslavian Shepherd breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Yugoslavian Shepherd breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Yugoslavian Shepherd breeders by country
[1 breeder of Yugoslavian Shepherd in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-yugoslavian-shepherd-dog/austria) [1 breeder of Yugoslavian Shepherd in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-yugoslavian-shepherd-dog) [1 breeder of Yugoslavian Shepherd in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-yugoslavian-shepherd-dog/germany)
[All breeders of Yugoslavian Shepherd in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-yugoslavian-shepherd-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Yugoslavian Shepherd?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-yugoslavian-shepherd-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[Maremma Sheepdog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog)
[Karst Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/karst-shepherd-dog)
[German Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/german-shepherd-dog)
[Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/belgian-shepherd-dog-groenendael)
[Belgian Laekenois
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/belgian-shepherd-dog-laekenois)
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