Breeds / Giant
Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog puppies
Placid and tolerant with their own household and watchful with strangers, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a shaggy Romanian flock guardian that works on their own judgement.
The facts
- Size class Giant
- Country of origin Romania
- Adult weight 45.4 to 59 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 100 to 130 lb
- Adult height 57 to 74 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium double
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 14 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is the shaggy white flock guardian of the Romanian mountains, kept for centuries to live out with sheep and deal with predators without a shepherd standing over them. This is a giant dog, 45.4 to 59 kg and 57 to 74 cm, under a medium double coat that hangs over the eyes and gives them a scruffy, bear like look. Around their own family they are placid and tolerant, rated five out of five with children, while staying watchful with anyone they do not know.
Adults are calm and a daily walk suits them, though growing puppies need a good deal more movement and attention. Grooming is undemanding despite the coat: a thorough session once a week, and mud left to dry then brushed out rather than bathed off. Barking is rated low. The breed wants space and a good fence and does badly confined. Do not take the placid adult for a blank slate: guarding instincts arrive with maturity, and socialisation has to happen well before that.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
- Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Elbow dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Growth related joint problems in heavy puppies, monitored by a vet through the first year
Your Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 45.4 to 59 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 59 kg, the largest size in the chart, which tops out at 49.9 kg, so measure the dog before you buy; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other giant breeds
More on the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
Previous: Romanian Carpathian Shepherd · Next: Rottweiler
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/romanian-mioritic-shepherd-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: User:Bonopufos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.