The Apuan Shepherd is an animal that has always been used to protect flocks and also property. Do not imagine that with this charge, it must necessarily have giant dimensions, because it is a medium-sized dog that however has great strength in its body. And not only that. It is also very resistant and at the same time agile.
The Apuan Shepherd is a dog that seems to be made specifically to carry out the tasks for which it was intended and in fact this is the case because this breed, which was slow to be recognized, is the result of very careful selection.
Contents hide
1 Apuan Shepherd: origins
2 Apuan Shepherd: characteristics
3 Apuan Shepherd: color
4 Apuan Shepherd: weight
5 Apuan Shepherd: character
Apuan Shepherd: Origins
As you can imagine from its name, the Apuan Shepherd is originally from the Apuan Alps area, which are located in the northwest of Tuscany . In this area it has always been busy following the flocks, accompanying the shepherds both in leading them and in guarding them, and in addition it also keeps an eye on the property, being a very smart and energetic dog.
Given its particularity, for many years it was bred only for this purpose and therefore it was always with the shepherds, which is why it has never been particularly widespread, indeed, in some periods it even risked extinction due to the natural decrease in sheep farming also due to cross-breeding that has occurred in recent years.
Apuan Shepherd: characteristics
The deep selection work that was done to obtain a dog that was perfectly suited to carry out some specific tasks, has led to a profound standardization of these dogs that have very well defined aesthetic characteristics.
Let’s see what it looks like then, referring to the official descriptions. Robust and medium-sized, the Apuan Shepherd has the typical trunk of a trotter, a little elongated, longer than the height at the withers by about 10%. Its muzzle has a rather evident stop but is wide and strong, the nose can be black or even spotted, but always on the same line as the nasal bridge, very voluminous and characterized by well-opened nostrils . Its teeth are well developed and not one is missing, they have a pincer bite that is frightening if it were not for its very respectful character towards man.
The eyes of this dog are particular in their oval and slightly almond shape , even the color is easily recognizable because the iris is a bright brown color but can also be blue or wallflower one or both. This is a frequent peculiarity especially in specimens that show off an ash-colored coat. Let’s move on to the ears that are small compared to the size of the head but are very straight , with a tip slightly turned outwards. The neck is powerful but at the same time dry, not at all taurine-like, with well-adherent skin and rather long. The limbs are perpendicular, all four, and obviously to be a shepherd it can only have strong and robust ones. Basically it has a very good bone structure that makes it agile and solid and also quick.
In general its musculature is powerful and long, well developed throughout the body even in the tail which is set low and has a rather thick base. When the dog is in motion it is carried high like a scimitar but is lowered if the dog is still.
Apuan Shepherd: color
The Apuan Shepherd’s coat can be either short or semi-long , always very close-fitting and, if the dog is healthy, shiny and bright . Among the classic colors of this breed are colors such as black and black on a “wolf” background. However, there are some variations linked to the presence of a gene called merle that brings out a uniform ash gray color or black patches of all shades, even on a “wolf” background. All the colors of our shepherd can present white patches starting from the feet and chest as long as they do not exceed 20% of the total surface of the body.
Apuan Shepherd: weight
The Apuan Shepherd’s weight can vary based on sex but it is still a medium-sized dog’s weight. Males range from 20 kg to 35 kg while females range from 17 kg to 28 kg. All this weight is distributed over a height at the withers that is always greater than 50 cm, for males from 53 cm to 63 cm, for females from 51 cm to 61 cm.
Apuan Shepherd: character
They were born to look after livestock and all specimens are born with this attitude to guarding and protecting that they maintain even if they do not have any flock entrusted to them. We can therefore speak of a very attentive and reactive animal, with a sense of herd that can often also shift to the family that adopts it that becomes to be protected and led. It also has excellent sporting results when it tries its hand at disciplines such as agility, disc dog, utility and defense, rally-obedience, dog trekking. Many subjects are also used for pet therapy and pet counseling.
They can fit into the family without problems, especially if they arrive when they are small and can get used to community life , otherwise they could be unsociable and have a mountain shepherd character.