History of Milenka - our Karakachan LGD
Her name is Milenka, which means "lovable, sweetheart" - it suits her well :)
This breed originated in Bulgaria as a mountain livestock guardian dog. The dog is named after the Karakachans, Balkan nomadic shepherds.
She was born on a Horse Farm in Indiana. Her parents were working dogs, of course.
Her mother gave her life away, while protecting her little ones (thankfully already weaned)
from intruding pit bull. Injury was too extensive and she couldn't be saved.
RIP beloved Momma - I still have tears in my eyes when I think about....
Before I placed deposit for her (when she was still in mom's belly), I made sure they have chickens and other critters as well and that their dogs are exposed to variety of livestock;
I stressed out to the breeder, that my future Guardians have to be good with all kind of animals; big and small.
At the age of 8 weeks, she was traveling to us in 18-th wheeler! The jurney took two days and my friend/driver was having hard time to part with her! However, he made me wash his truck :)
This breed originated in Bulgaria as a mountain livestock guardian dog. The dog is named after the Karakachans, Balkan nomadic shepherds.
She was born on a Horse Farm in Indiana. Her parents were working dogs, of course.
Her mother gave her life away, while protecting her little ones (thankfully already weaned)
from intruding pit bull. Injury was too extensive and she couldn't be saved.
RIP beloved Momma - I still have tears in my eyes when I think about....
Before I placed deposit for her (when she was still in mom's belly), I made sure they have chickens and other critters as well and that their dogs are exposed to variety of livestock;
I stressed out to the breeder, that my future Guardians have to be good with all kind of animals; big and small.
At the age of 8 weeks, she was traveling to us in 18-th wheeler! The jurney took two days and my friend/driver was having hard time to part with her! However, he made me wash his truck :)
Milenka is very different from Misha; When locked in a kennel, she could stay there whole day without complaining or trying to escape. (Great Pyrenees jumps the same kennel within a minute). She eats more food then GP and she is not picky what she eats. She even finished souerkraut that was left from a dinner :) GP eats less and mostly food of his choice and that is: cook meat with barley, cook or raw eggs, raw beef/pork, smoked pork, chicken feet....
I do buy pet food, but they both doesn't like it. They eat it some times, when they really hungry.
Milenka won't allow any other animal to come close to her food. On a very beginning, she won't let me pet her when she was eating, she was growling....
Now she trust me and I can put my hand on her head, while she is eating.
She likes brushing, but is sensitive to "hair pulling" and she won't let me touch her nails! Complete opposite to GP.
I can leave her on a porch and don't even lock the door, just pretend to close them; she never attempts to push that door (little Mimi is opening that door with her nose).
She is nice to cats, smaller house dogs, chickens and goats - as long as none of them touch her food!
I do buy pet food, but they both doesn't like it. They eat it some times, when they really hungry.
Milenka won't allow any other animal to come close to her food. On a very beginning, she won't let me pet her when she was eating, she was growling....
Now she trust me and I can put my hand on her head, while she is eating.
She likes brushing, but is sensitive to "hair pulling" and she won't let me touch her nails! Complete opposite to GP.
I can leave her on a porch and don't even lock the door, just pretend to close them; she never attempts to push that door (little Mimi is opening that door with her nose).
She is nice to cats, smaller house dogs, chickens and goats - as long as none of them touch her food!
I will tell....I will tell mommy,
you better not do it!
I would describe her as very domiciled, which is one of her plus points.
I would also describe her as "mean" as opposite to sweet Misha.
While Misha will be wagging his tail to a softly spoken visitor, Milenka will be either growling and/or backing off.
She barks more and growl more then GP, when she feels threatened.
She is devoted to me - her handler - that I have to admit!
Milenka is not affraid to fight predator. Many times she come on a morning with a blood on her fur. That wasn't her blood! I am checking my dogs thoroughly every morning, if they sustained any injury during a night. So far they are OK, no harm done to them, besides skunk smell in their furs.
These dogs are large enough to intimidate or kill predators and they are not intended to be family pets.
They are GUARDIANS and need to be treated as such!
I would also describe her as "mean" as opposite to sweet Misha.
While Misha will be wagging his tail to a softly spoken visitor, Milenka will be either growling and/or backing off.
She barks more and growl more then GP, when she feels threatened.
She is devoted to me - her handler - that I have to admit!
Milenka is not affraid to fight predator. Many times she come on a morning with a blood on her fur. That wasn't her blood! I am checking my dogs thoroughly every morning, if they sustained any injury during a night. So far they are OK, no harm done to them, besides skunk smell in their furs.
These dogs are large enough to intimidate or kill predators and they are not intended to be family pets.
They are GUARDIANS and need to be treated as such!
To summarize - Milenka is pretty much everything what is described in Encyclopedia:
Karakachan (other names: Bulgarian Shepherd dog) is an independent working guard dog. When it is used as such and on the job, aggressiveness is not strongly expressed, but at the same time the dogs are reserved in their attitude towards strangers and demonstrate distance by warning growling and eventual attack. Towards predatory animals (often even toward dogs) aggressiveness increases.
The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is alert, easily adapted to the environment, adequately reacting in situations
in which is involved. Towards its master or handler demonstrates devotion and fidelity. Its basic sensuousness via sense of smell, hearing and sight is very well developed. Usually tolerant to the children they have been raised with, they love and bond with all people and children within their own family.
BSD is a true working dog with great working characteristics, combined with stabilized exterior
appearance. This dog defends pets, guards the farm, and looks for his master and family's safety. For centuries this dog was bred as an independent guarder who makes his own decisions out in the field.
If the dog feels he is protecting his property, it is difficult to predict whether or not he will attack.
This is a serious guard dog, very loyal to his owners. Bulgarian Shepherd Dog will keep themselves in distance of strangers. They growl and bark. If the person infringes their perimeter dogs will bite him. If the dog is good socialized from the time of its puppyhood with other animals it is not dangerous to live
together, especially – rabbits, cats, chicken, lambs, etc.
Karakachan (other names: Bulgarian Shepherd dog) is an independent working guard dog. When it is used as such and on the job, aggressiveness is not strongly expressed, but at the same time the dogs are reserved in their attitude towards strangers and demonstrate distance by warning growling and eventual attack. Towards predatory animals (often even toward dogs) aggressiveness increases.
The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is alert, easily adapted to the environment, adequately reacting in situations
in which is involved. Towards its master or handler demonstrates devotion and fidelity. Its basic sensuousness via sense of smell, hearing and sight is very well developed. Usually tolerant to the children they have been raised with, they love and bond with all people and children within their own family.
BSD is a true working dog with great working characteristics, combined with stabilized exterior
appearance. This dog defends pets, guards the farm, and looks for his master and family's safety. For centuries this dog was bred as an independent guarder who makes his own decisions out in the field.
If the dog feels he is protecting his property, it is difficult to predict whether or not he will attack.
This is a serious guard dog, very loyal to his owners. Bulgarian Shepherd Dog will keep themselves in distance of strangers. They growl and bark. If the person infringes their perimeter dogs will bite him. If the dog is good socialized from the time of its puppyhood with other animals it is not dangerous to live
together, especially – rabbits, cats, chicken, lambs, etc.