Armenian Sheepdog , Gampr = Very interesting dog

ChronicBlue · Member Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 73

Hi,

I have come across this beatiful breed while researching Central Asian Sheepdogs.

apparently the Gampr is an ancient breed that is actually the predecessor of the COA. I was wondering if anyone knows anything of this breed, and was hoping someone may have some links with usefull information. This is a breed that I am most interested in researching. Any information would be much appreciated, and wil be consumed with an insatiable appetite.
Surprised

Here is a link with a lil info on the breed for anyone interested:

http://www.molosserdogs.com/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=1024

hermann muenster · Member Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 304

Great link - Beautiful dogs with a rich history. I have never seen this breed in real life. Thanks.

By the way, what is a COA?

ChronicBlue · Member Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 73

Here is a link from the same site with information pertaining to COA's
(Central Asian Ovcharka) its basically a variant of the Gampr. standardized by the russians.

a most beautiful animal. they are described as being rustic, and for the owner who is more concerned with ability rather than looks. I don't understand that. I think they look amazing. I have seen nothing like them befor. nor have I ever been lucky enough to encounter one in person. Sad

I hope to change that some day. Hell i'll go on vacation to the eurasian steppes just to see them. Plus the history there is so rich it would be worth making the trip for that alone.

enjoy:
http://www.molosserdogs.com/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=808

Shineillusion · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject:

I don't think the comment about ability as opposed to good looks was in any way intended to disparage the dog's appearance. Rather it was intended to imply that the dogs are bred for working ability, rather than just how they look. It probably was also intended to suggest that the dog wouldn't be an appropriate breed for someone who wants a dog based entirely on how they look, as working dogs need a job to do besides sitting in the back yard and looking cool.

So many of the original working breeds have been bred recently to look "good" without regard to how well they can work that they are no longer able to do the work the breed originally was developed to do.

Take Alaskan Malamutes, for example. Beautiful to look at. But take one out of the show ring and hook him up to a dog sled, and how long do you think he'd last? You won't see "pretty" dogs running in the Iditarod. The dogs that compete will be beautifully constructed, sound and showing plenty of endurance and ability. But pretty they aren't.