Skopje, 13 April 2026 (MIA) - Shepherd dog Karaman has finally been recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as its 378th breed, becoming the first dog with an independent national origin.

Kennel club "Macedonian Shepherd Dog Karaman" president Ilija Karov tels MIA that the Karaman is not only a new name added to international registers but a symbol of perseverance, love and vision that have been invested in promoting the breed over the past 25 years.

Karov notes that the breed originates from th autochtonous mountain dogs that have kept sheep flocks on Macedonian mountains safe for centuries.

"After 25 years of hard work by the kennel club and the national kennel association, we finally managed to have the Karaman recognized as a breed on a provisional basis by the FCI. This is not a victory of one person but the country of Macedonia as a whole," said Karov.

According to him, the Karaman was forged by way of natural selection.

"We only used science through numbers and narrative to standardize what the mountain had created," said Karov.

Karov says it is a challenge to raise a purebred Karaman in the present circumstances of declining stockbreeding.

"To all those who want to raise a Karaman, my recommendation is to do it in its autochthonous area, because such breeds can thrive only in these regions," adds Karov.

A clear distinction between the Karaman and the Sharplaninec

The most common question is what separates the Karaman from the Sharplaninec, a breed recognized by the FCI on a definitive basis and shared by North Macedonia and Serbia.

Dimitar Bozhinovski from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine clarifies this distinction through his research that was in the focus of his PhD thesis.

"Throughout our research, we came across a very interesting difference in the neurocranium (the upper, back part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain), which provides the crucial traits of a breed," says Bozhinovski.

While researching this aspect, Bozhinovski also decided to look into the endocranial volume.

"There, we found a difference ranging between 40-60 percent, which is quite large from a scientific standpoint when comparing the Karaman and the Sharplaninec," he says.

In addition, while studying the temporomandibular joint of both breeds, they found no major differences but discovered they have a wonderful congruence or harmony of the joint, which points to the fact that the Karaman and the Sharplaninec had been forged through natural selection.

Bozhinovski said genetic analyses were also conducted, resulting in large differences in the microsatellites of the DNA sequence.

"This all means that the Karaman and the Sharplaninec are two entirely different breeds," concludes Bozhinovski.

The Karaman's official valid standard was published in February, describing it as a dog for active protection of the sheep and property, worthy, valuable and capable of standing in very low as well as very high temperatures.

The brief historical summary reads that the Karaman is an autochthonous breed whose origin is connected with stockbreeding settlements in Macedonia and the nomadic migrations of the stockbreeders. It was bred continuously centuries ago as a protector of the herds in Macedonia. The stockbreeders had a special cult towards these dogs, and for them, it was always a mythical dog. Written records of these dogs can be found in folk songs, but motifs of Karaman are also found on medieval frescoes and iconostases. The most important artifact on which the Karaman is presented is the fresco in the church of St. George in Kurbinovo, Prespa, painted in 1191 and is part of the logotype of the club. The breed is preserved in its authentic form until nowadays by the stockbreeders, whose lives were in constant movement from the summer to the winter pastures.

On its general appearance, it says the body is compact, with a strong constitution covered with a medium-long coat with black or black and tan colour. The average length of the coat at the withers is 9.5 cm, the presence of tan markings is possible, and it is very resistant with the capability of moving fast.

Regarding its behaviour and temperament, the Karaman is reserved towards strangers, but when guarding the stock and the property, it is determined and brave. Calm, good-hearted, and precautious while guarding. Stable and fearless with no aggression at all, independent, and very intelligent. Proud and dignified of every trust. Affectionate and loyal to its owner.

Neda Dimova Prokikj

Photo: Slobodan Gjurikj

Video: Andrej Brankovikj