Health, nutrition, breeding and training of Southrussian Ovcharkas

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

SROs are healthy and strong dogs In general. However, there are some health problems in this breed, like HD, entropion, heart failure, epilepsy. In Europe and the US, breeders should x-ray their breeding stock for hip dysplasia. This is not common (yet) in Russia, the former Soviet countries and the eastern European countries.
When the dog is still a puppy it is very important to give him the right food. This food should contain no more than 25% of Protein and a Calcium level between 1-1,5%. If the food contains more Protein or Calcium, the dog will grow too fast and this will damage his joints and bones, which will give more risk for HD.
A puppy's daily walks should be adapted to his age. When he is 10 weeks, he can walk during 10 minutes. When he is 20 weeks, a walk of 20 minutes is sufficient. After the age of 6 months the time of walking can be increased.

BREEDING

We have Southrussians since 1987. My husband and I only have a small group of dogs - no more than 4 - and we breed a litter only once in every few years.
It's not easy to breed Southrussians because it's difficult to find good "breeding material", or an excellent stud dog. And it's even more difficult to find SUITABLE new homes for puppies. The average SRO mother has 6-8 puppies (going from 4 - 11) and all these puppies have a right to get a good, knowledgeable owner. The breed is almost unknown, so there aren't many people who wish to buy a SRO. Yula, Yduna, Oona

Also SROs can be difficult dogs and they are "not for everyone"; therefor a breeder has to select his future puppy buyers very, very carefully.
It's recommended to breed only when you have a list with at least 5-10 people who want to have a puppy. It allows the breeder to have contact with future puppy buyers before the puppies are born. It is of the utmost importance for the puppies of this breed to leave the litter and go to their new homes at the age of 8-10 weeks. They definitely need the socializing period (age of 8-12 weeks) to adjust to their new home and family. If they go to their new owner at a later age, it can cause problems. If a breeder has "too many" puppies and not enough buyers, he has a problem. And so have the puppies!
A future buyer should ask for HD-results of both parents, and should visit as many owners and breeders as possible. Go see the dogs not only at exhibitions but also at home, in their own environment, where their character and habits are really expressed.
Make sure you choose a breeder who socializes his puppies in the best possible way. This early good start is very important for the development of the character and behavior of your dog.
It is possible to have the puppies tested for temperament, to make a good match between the pup and his new owner. This can be helpful. Also there is a regulation in some countries that dogs used for breeding should be tested for temperament.

TRAINING

SROs are stubborn, self-willed, and hardheaded. Most of them aren't dogs that obey just for fun or because the owner asks them to and they have little will-to-please.
But they can and have to be trained nevertheless. A good socialization is necessary. A puppy training is highly recommended. Some SROs did elementary or basic obedience, some participate in agility and even enjoy it.
I strongly recommend NEVER to practice police training with your SRO. For them this kind of work is not for fun, not a game, but it's "the real thing". Don't do training that makes the dog more aggressive or guarding than he already is. He doesn't need it.