The Mioritic Romanian Sheepdog breed is characterized by its enormous size and coat. It is a dog with a very affectionate character and protector of its family. Its extraordinarily affectionate temperament has made them very popular outside of Romania. Calm and balanced, it is an excellent companion dog. In Petlifey, we discover everything about the shepherd of Mioritic.
Character of the breed Romanian Shepherd of Mioritic
The character of the Mioritic shepherd is that of a very balanced and calm dog. Its behaviour with its “flock” makes them a very good sheepdog, brave and combative against possible predators (bears, wolves, lynx).
Because of its temperament, it loves children very much but distrusts strangers. It is always alert and vigilant with strangers, even if they are accompanied by their masters.
- Energy: High level. You need to exercise physically every day and run through open spaces in freedom
- Temperament: Balanced, calm and affectionate, it is vigilant, courageous and combative against possible predators.
- Adaptability: Medium / low. It does not adapt well to urban life or small houses.
- Sociability: Medium / low. Very attached to its master, it lives with the members of the family in full harmony, but is very suspicious of people who do not belong to its family environment. It loves children very much.
- Health: Good. It is not prone to hereditary diseases, but, due to its large size, it can end up suffering from joint problems.
- Longevity: Medium. It can reach 10 years of life.
- Utility: Versatile. Excellent flock shepherd dog, incorruptible and courageous guardian, and extraordinary companion of the family, which it serves with affection and fidelity.
- Use: Pasture, guard and company.
Is it a good family dog?
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd is a courageous, resistant, strong, vigilant dog and very affectionate with its family environment, so much so that in Romania it is said that it has even been used as a babysitter. Thus, it is considered an ideal animal as a companion dog.
In contrast, this breed is characterized by being very territorial, attentive and vigilant of its and its own, and extremely distrustful of everything that it believes is out of the ordinary, whether it is other animals or people.
You can live with other dogs if you get used to it from a young age, but you do not need their presence to feel fulfilled.
With visitors you have to be very cautious, because even when they come home in the company of their owners, the animal is always observant and cautious.
Can you live in an apartment or in the city?
This dog does not adapt to living in the city or in a small house, since it needs to take long walks and, especially, have open ground on which to govern and be able to move with some freedom.
Is it a suitable dog for beginners?
It is not the best choice for new owners, who have not had a dog before, since it requires a firm and fair hand that knows how to lead it on the right path and turn it into a balanced dog, since its large size, courage and strength they can make it a difficult animal to control if it is not educated well.
Characteristics of the Mioritic Shepherd
The general appearance of the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd is that of a large dog, imposing in appearance, vigorous and spectacular, but without appearing heavy.
With a powerful body structure, it is very large but does not denote a heavy appearance, but rather vigorous and powerful. Shows long, thick hair on head, body, and extremities. Males are taller and larger than females.
Its movement is harmonious, loose and well coordinated, it is powerful. Its preferred movement is the trot, but when it gallops its gait is even and balanced.
How is the Pastor de Mioritic breed physically?
Body
The body structure of this dog is rather rectangular, since its length slightly exceeds the height at the withers, which is about 72 cm in males and 67 cm in females. It is a robust, strong animal well covered with hair.
Its tail is long and set high, when the dog is at rest it carries it hanging, but it raises it somewhat bent on its back when it is in a situation of alert.
The feet are oval shaped and compact. They are provided with arched fingers set close together, ending in ash grey nails.
Head
The head is large in relation to the body and is covered with long, unkempt hairs. With a slight stop, the muzzle tapers towards the nose, which is broad, well developed and black.
The eyes present an animal with an intelligent and calm look, the eyes are of medium size and hazel, dark brown or light brown, without reaching yellow.
Their ears are set quite high on the head, measuring about 10 to 15 cm and hanging next to the cheeks. They are shaped like a triangle, but with a slightly rounded end.
Coat and color
The hair is straight and long, abundant on the head and body, but shorter on the extremities. The tail is very bushy.
The coat is double-layered, the outer coat is rather rough in texture and measures at least 10 cm. The inner layer, on the other hand, is denser and smoother, and has a lighter color.
The animal can have a uniform white or gray color, or have a white background with well-defined black or grey spots.
Standard of the breed Romanian Shepherd of Mioritic
- Origin: Romania.
- Other names: Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog / Berger roumain de Mioritic/ Ciobanesc Romanesc Mioritic.
- Size: Very large.
- Weight: 45-48 kg for males and between 40-43 kg for females.
- Height at the withers: 70-75 cm for males and 65-70 cm for females.
- Back: It is horizontal, strong and muscular.
- Chest: Short and broad, with well sprung ribs.
- Tail: Set high, at rest it appears hanging, reaching up to the hock, but when the dog is attentive or in action, it appears raised, even above the back, and somewhat bent.
- Forelimbs: The forelegs are well poised, of medium length, muscular and powerful. Well attached to the body, they do not deviate either inwards or outwards.
- Head: Powerful and solid, it can be considered large in relation to the body. Skull: Medium width and slightly bulging, in profile the skull and muzzle are more or less parallel.
- Neck: It is of medium length, broad and powerful, without dewlap.
- Nose-frontal depression (stop): It is not very marked.
- Muzzle: Slightly shorter than the skull, well developed and progressively tapering.
- Nose: It is not pointed, but broad, well developed and black. Jaws: They are powerful, showing complete, strong, healthy teeth with white, well-implanted teeth. The bite is usually scissor.
- Eyes: Medium in size, set obliquely and hazel, dark brown, or slightly lighter in color. Its expression is calm and intelligent.
- Ears: Set relatively high, in the shape of a “V” and with a slightly rounded tip. About 10 to 15 cm long, they are hanging and are well attached to the cheeks.
- HINDQUARTERS: Muscular and powerful hind limbs view from behind are straight, parallel and slightly open angles.
- Feet: Oval, compact and solid, the toes are close together and arched, with the nails of ash grey color.
- Hair: It is smooth, long, dense and abundant all over the body, especially on the head. It has a dense, smooth undercoat and a smooth, long, rough-textured outer coat.
- Color: The color varies between uniform white and grey, or white with black or grey spots.
- Skin: It is thick, quite stretched and well pigmented.
- FCI Classification: FCI No. 349. GROUP 1 – Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs). Section 1 – Sheepdogs .
Feeding of the Romanian Shepherd breed of Mioritic
Due to its large size and powerful energy, the Mioritic shepherd needs a balanced and correct diet.
The nutrients and fats provided in the food should allow you to keep your muscles in good condition, promote the development of your impressive skeleton and take proper care of both your skin and hair. In this way, if necessary, the animal can work and live outdoors or withstand extreme temperatures.
Health and diseases of the Romanian Shepherd of Mioritic
As with almost all breeds as large as this one , Mioritic Romanian Sheepdogs can eventually develop joint problems as adults , especially if the diet-exercise-rest combination is not meticulously controlled during their first eighteen months of life.
Special attention should also be paid to the eyes and the cleaning of the ears of the copies of this breed of dog. Of course, you should also visit the veterinarian to comply with the vaccination and deworming schedule.