Karst Shepherd

Also called Karst Shepherd Dog, Kraški ovčar, Kraševec, Illyrian Shepherd

Recognised breedFCI group 2Short profile

From Slovenia, from the Karst plateau region near the Adriatic.1 2 3

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male30 to 42 kg1 3

Weight, female25 to 37 kg1 3

Height, male57 to 63 cm1 3

Height, female54 to 60 cm1 3

Sizelarge

loyal and devoted to its owner

reliable, incorruptible guard

obedient, pleasant family companion

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, flat coat with thick undercoat

A sturdy, well-muscled, medium-sized guardian slightly longer than tall. Its long, flat outer coat is at least 10 cm long over a dense undercoat and forms a mane around the neck.1 3

Coloursiron grey, darker along the back and paler or sandy on the belly and legs, with a dark mask1

Personality what they are like

A brave, confident guardian with a strong personality. It is deeply attached to its people and reserved with strangers, and it can make a steady, obedient companion when well socialised.1 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Still has the working drive of a shepherd; regular daily exercise and a territory to watch over suit it well.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The long, thick coat benefits from regular brushing, particularly during seasonal shedding.1 3

Home where they are happiest

A house with a securely fenced garden or rural property suits it better than a flat.1 3

Company who they like around

Bonds closely with its family; early socialisation helps it become a relaxed companion around visitors.3

The story where it all began

Guardian dogs followed pastoral peoples through Istria and Dalmatia and settled in the Karst region of Slovenia. They were first written about in 1689 by Baron Valvasor. The breed was registered in 1939 as the Illyrian Shepherd and separated from the similar Sarplaninac in 1968.1 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It is one of only a handful of breeds whose standard calls for a single colour, iron grey.1
2
The first written mention of these dogs dates back to 1689.1
3
Its earlier name was the Illyrian Shepherd.3
4
Although once a sheepdog, today it is kept mostly as a guard and family dog.1

Recognised by the official bits

FCI: Standard no. 278 (Kraski Ovcar), Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossoid, mountain type; accepted on a definitive basis 4 February 1969; standard published 26 June 2000.2
UKC: Recognised by the United Kennel Club in the United States.3

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Karst Shepherd. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
Bathevery 10 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkevery 2 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year

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Šarplaninac

Tornjak

Karakachan

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

FCI standard no. 278 Karst Shepherd Dog fci.beused for size, coat, colour, temperament, history
FCI nomenclature: Kraski Ovcar (278) fci.beused for recognition
Karst Shepherd - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, UKC, history

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.