Few people will be familiar with this breed. Hailing from the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, it is quite uncommon outside of its native region. This a large and imposing shepherd. The RMSD was selectively bred from utility dogs that had been used in the Carpathian Mountain region for centuries. Thanks to its vigorous nature, this breed has many fans in Romania. In recent years it has begun to enjoy enthusiasm outside of Romania, making its way into lucky homes in much of Europe, in Australia, and in the United States. It is now a member of the Foundation Stock Service with the American Kennel Club.
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is strong, emotionally-balanced, alert, disciplined, and very attached to its owner (but suspicious with strangers). Fearless and very courageous, he is a wonderful protector. He is a vigilant, courageous, and dominant dog. However, they tend to obey their owners very well with even minimal training as long as the owner is consistent and calm. They do not tend to respond well to aggressive correction. A very good flock guardian, they are extremely brave and an efficient fighter against possible attackers including bears and wolves. When raised as a working livestock guardian it will not be trustworthy with unknown people, so take precautions to keep them separated from any new human visitors. They are wonderful with children and tend to stick closely by them.
Exercise
This breed needs physical exercise. If you don't have a large plot of land on which they can be vigorously exercised they will need to be taken on a daily long walk or jog. If you do have the space, it should be securely fenced to prevent roaming. Incorporate games into the exercise routine to activate the dog's brain. If insufficiently stimulated both mentally and physically, they can become immensely destructive and the property damage they cause can be massive and quick. A friend of mine had a 10 month old RMSD who managed to chew through their floor and through their downstairs neighbor's ceiling after being left alone for only an hour. They came home to a hole in the floor, and their dog in the apartment below sleeping on the other resident's sofa, which had also unfortunately been mostly demolished. Their big mistake wasn't leaving their dog unattended, it was not exercising him enough. $9,000 in damages later, they had learned their lesson.
Grooming
The coarse, longhaired coat needs constant care to keep it in top condition. Unless it is combed and brushed right through to the dense, waterproof undercoat at least three times per week, it will become matted and the dog may develop skin problems, making it prone to host parasites. Clip out any tangles carefully so as not to nick the skin. If the dog is not being shown, the coat can be clipped every two months or so, about one inch all the way around. Trim around the eyes and rear-end with blunt-nosed scissors. This breed sheds like a human—not a lot, but in small amounts.
A Word on Health
The Mioritic has only recently come from the countryside in Romania, so there is little medical information available. We do know that bloat is a risk, as it is with any large breed dog. Also hip dysplasia has been seen. Those dogs who do live a normal healthy life have been known to live up to 14 years. Breeders should be OFA health testing so that a more complete picture of this breeds health risks can be established over time.
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