23. Frequency of Expression of the Different Types of Coloration in the Karakachan Dog Population

The Karakachan dog is one of the oldest breeds in Europe. It is a typical Mollos, created for guarding its owner’s flock and property; it does not hesitate to fight wolves or bears to defend its owner and his family in case of danger. Its ancestors started forming as early as the third millennium BC. The Karakachan dog is a descendant of the dogs of the Thracians, the oldest inhabitants of the Balkan peninsula. The dog is named after the Karakachans. Due to their conservative stock-breeding traditions, they managed to preserve some of the oldest breeds of domestic animals in Europe – the Karakachan sheep, the Karakachan horse, and, of course, the Karakachan dog. Being an autohthonous breed, a variety of coat coloration can be observed in the Karakachan dog. The hair is two- or tri-coloured, with spots. Clearly defined dark spots on a white background or big white spots on a dark background are the most frequent. The pigmentation of the dark spots can be black, grey or rufous. Besides tiger and chaprac color of the coat can also be found.