Armenian Gampr: Your Complete Guide

If you’re looking for a rare dog breed you don’t see every day, well, you’ve come to the right place. The Armenian gampr is an ancient, rare, and unique dog that hails from the Armenian Highlands, hence the name. These dogs were bred to be livestock guardians back in the day, but today they make great canine companions. Whether you need a family pet or even a service dog, the Armenian gampr is a dog breed worth learning about. 

In this article, we take you through everything you need to know about the Armenian gampr. This includes what they look like, how they behave, and what it takes to care for them. Read on to learn more about the famously hard-to-find Armenian gampr.

A Quick Look at the Armenian Gampr 

Below is a quick glance at the Armenian gampr in terms of their physical characteristics, health, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs. 

Weight/Height	15-25 inches, 120 to 180 pounds
Coat Type	Thick, coarse, diverse
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Loyal, attentive, calm
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	12-16 years

What Is the History of Armenian Gamprs?

The history of the Armenian gampr is a long one that dates back well before they were called Armenian gamprs. Unlike many other dog breeds, the Armenian gampr wasn’t necessarily bred to fit a specific goal. Instead, they’re a landrace breed that evolved naturally based on their native environment, which is the Armenian Highlands.

That said, when it comes to their origin, it’s a long one. In fact, there’s evidence of these dogs dating back to 12,000 BCE, which makes them one of the oldest landscape breeds around.

Back then, and even today, the Armenian gampr was bred and kept for a specific purpose, which is keeping cattle safe. The history gets a little spotty around the 1920s when Armenia became part of the Soviet Union. During that period, the dogs were used to create a whole new breed, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, and some even made it back to the States.

Then, once Armenia became independent in the early 1990s the breed was recognized by Armenia. This is when the first breed standards for Armenian gamprs were created, which are now recognized by the International Kennel Union.

Today, these strong and powerful dogs are still around, but in limited numbers. They also don’t work as often as they used to, but they’re a soft-after breed.

What Do Armenian Gamprs Look Like?

The first thing you’ll notice about Armenian gamprs is that they have a strong and powerful body with long legs and a strong-looking bone structure. Their body is longer than they are tall, and they sometimes have a natural bobtail, but if they don’t, you often find them with cropped tails and ears due to their history of defending livestock from wolves and other predators. However, you won’t always find them like this, so it’s something to keep an eye on. 

When it comes to their face, Armenian gamprs have short snouts and round eye patches of fur that almost look like eyebrows. For their hair, it’s often thick and comes in a variety of colors; the only one you’ll have a hard time finding is blue merle. Their coat length is medium, and it tends to be straight or wavy, but they also have a thick undercoat.

What Size Is an Armenian Gampr?

Armenian gamprs are big dogs, we’re talking massive. They tend to be between 120 and 180 pounds and can reach a height of 25-35 inches. Males are slightly larger than females, and this shows in their legs, torso, and head. The gap isn’t too big, but there is a noticeable difference. That said, if you put an Armenian gampr next to your average medium-sized dog, like a golden retriever, you’ll really see just how big they are.

What Is an Armenian Gampr’s Coat Type and Length?

Armenian gamprs have two different types of coats. The first coat is their undercoat, which is short, thick, and straight. It insulates them and keeps them warm, but does result in a lot of shedding. Their other coat, or top coat, is medium in length and can be a bit coarse due to its protective abilities. The outer coat can either be short or long and tends to be straight or wavy. However, there is a lot of variation in their coat type, color, and texture, so keep that in mind.

What Is an Armenian Gampr’s Temperament? 

Armenian gamprs have a long history of being working dogs, so they behave as such. Therefore, they’re independent, brave, and dependable when you need them. What’s more, Armenian gamprs have a strong protective instinct for their families, which includes you and other animals.

Aside from their loyal and loving side, they can be territorial and stubborn if you don’t know how to handle them. Plus, their working dog nature requires them to be doing something in order to be happy. While playing and walking can be enough, expect to spend a lot of time with them to keep them stimulated.

Are Armenian Gamprs Good With Kids?

Armenian gamprs are great with children due to their protective nature. They usually won’t be aggressive towards them, and you’ll often find them playing together. That said, Armenian gamprs are huge dogs, so it’s important to keep an eye on them when they’re with your kids, just as a precaution. The good news is that if there are any problems, you can always socialize them at a young age.

Are Armenian Gamprs Good With Other Animals?

Armenian gamprs are great with other animals. In fact, they’ve been around for such a long time due to how good they are with other animals. Armenian gamprs will also protect other animals the same way that they protect your family, so you don’t have to worry about them getting territorial with other animals in your home. That said, when it comes to smaller animals, you may have to keep an eye on them because of their large size.

Are Armenian Gamprs Aggressive?

Armenian gamprs are not aggressive dogs and won’t act out against you and your family. This means that you don’t have to worry about them being territorial or starting fights with you or the other people/animals in your home. The only time they’ll show signs of aggression is if they feel that you’re being threatened or if the animals on your property are being threatened. If that worries you, though, no need to worry because socialization from a young age can help a lot.

Do Armenian Gamprs Bark?

Armenian gamprs do bark, but not too often. The only time they bark is when they feel threatened or if they want to scare people or other animals off. Still, this can lead to them barking at any strangers that approach your home if they don’t know any better, so socialization is key if you want to limit this behavior.

Are Armenian Gamprs Affectionate?

Armenian gamprs are affectionate dogs but they don’t show it by sitting on your lap or lying in your bed at night. Instead, they show it through their loyalty and protective nature. Therefore, if you’re looking for a dog that will cuddle up to you or sit with you all the time, the Armenian gampr may not be the dog for you. 

Are Armenian Gamprs Intelligent?

Armenian gamprs are smart dogs. They’re smart enough to recognize danger and keep cattle safe. They’re also smart enough to be independent, so you don’t have to worry about checking on them all the time. Armenian gamprs are also smart enough to learn a wide range of commands, so you don’t have to worry about them not being able to sit, stay, or get back to patrolling your property. Armenian gamprs also have high levels of emotional intelligence and can recognize danger, sometimes even before you do.

Are Armenian Gamprs Energetic?

Armenian gamprs are energetic dogs. Due to their history of being working dogs, they have a ton of energy for roaming around, protecting properties, and chasing away predators. This means that you’ll need to keep them physically and mentally stimulated in order to keep them happy and healthy. 

That said, you’ll quickly find out something unique about Armenian gamprs, which is that they’re more active at dawn and dusk, almost like a cat. This is due to their nature of protecting other animals when they sleep or while predators are awake.

Are Armenian Gamprs Easy to Train?

Armenian gamprs are easy to train, but you may need a little assistance from a professional if it’s not going your way. These dogs come from a long line of dogs that have been trained to work, so the potential is there once you unlock it. This applies to commands, behaving around other animals, and even service dog work. 

For the best results, start from a young age if you can, and sometimes it helps to get assistance from professionals. The good news is that you can be that professional with one of our basic obedience courses.  

Are Armenian Gamprs Good Watchdogs?

Armenian gamprs are some of the best watchdogs you’ll ever come across. In fact, this used to be their sole purpose because of their intimidating size and imposing bark. They used to protect livestock and cattle, so it’s no surprise that they’re good at keeping your home and family safe. Plus, if you have them patrolling your property to keep the foxes away from your chickens, they have you covered there as well. 

With the right training, you can even control their barking and ensure that they’re keeping you and your property safe from specific threats. At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a watchdog or guard dog, you can’t go wrong with an Armenian gampr.

Are Armenian Gamprs Good Service Dogs?

Armenian gamprs aren’t the best service dogs. This is due to the fact that they’re aloof and independent, so they may not be the best for attending to someone’s needs. While they’re strong enough to help people through crowds or pull a wheelchair, it’s important to note that it may be hard to train them to do this. Even if they don’t make the best service dogs, they can still be great emotional support animals if you need comfort.

How to Care for an Armenian Gampr?

Caring for an Armenian gampr is more about keeping them happy and healthy than anything else. As long as you feed them the right food, help them exercise, and take them to the vet once a year, you shouldn’t have to worry about much else. You’ll also need enough space to care for them due to their large size.

Do You Need to Groom an Armenian Gampr?

Armenian gamprs do need to be groomed, but not as often as other dog breeds. You’ll want to brush them weekly with a rake-style comb to prevent matting, and you need to keep their teeth and gums clean by brushing them or giving them treats that handle this for you. It’s also a good idea to trim their nails but if you have them working or you walk them often this won’t be a major problem as they’ll wear down naturally.

Bathing doesn’t have to happen too often because their coat has natural oils that help them remove debris. When it comes to trimming their coats, not too much work is necessary but you’ll want to go to a professional to ensure that it’s an even trim.

Do Armenian Gamprs Shed?

Armenian gamprs shed a lot but it’s not all at once. That said, when it rains it pours. During their shedding seasons there will be hair everywhere and you’ll need to have a vacuum handy. This also isn’t good for people who have pet allergies, as their hair is not hypoallergenic. The seasons you have to worry about are spring and fall when they shed their undercoat to adjust for the temperature changes.

What Health Problems Do Armenian Gamprs Have?

One thing that Armenian gamprs have going for them is that they developed naturally over the course of many centuries. This means that they don’t have any health problems that come from mixing breeds. However, that doesn’t mean they’re impervious to health issues, so there are some that you need to be aware of. 

The biggest risk factors are hip and elbow dysplasia due to their large bodies and patella luxation. Another unique problem they tend to deal with is joint pain due to their size imbalance in the front compared to their hind legs.

To avoid these health issues, it’s always helpful to check their medical records before adopting and to visit a vet annually to keep an eye on their health.

How Long Do Armenian Gamprs Live?

When it comes to their lifespan, the Armenian gampr may surprise you. Unlike other large dogs, they tend to live for 12 to 16 years when healthy, which is an outlier because most larger dogs have an average lifespan of around 8 to 10 years. To make sure your Armenian gampr lives a long and healthy life, it’s important to make sure they get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy diet.

What Should an Armenian Gampr Eat?

Armenian gamprs need to eat a diet that’s made for big dogs. If you have them working, this means a lot of calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrates, along with vitamins and minerals. For kibble, you’ll want to look for dog food that’s formulated for big dogs, or you can opt for a more unique raw diet; speak with a vet before changing your dog’s diet or introducing anything new. Essentially, it’s not harder than feeding any other dog, you just have to pay attention to their energy expenditure.

Is an Armenian Gampr the Right Dog for Me?

The Armenian gampr is a great dog if you can find one. Due to their rarity, you may have to purchase them from a specific breeder or adopt them from a shelter that has one available. If you want a dog right now, this may not work, and you may want to opt for another breed. You also have to consider their size and energy levels. Your home needs to have enough space to house them, and you have to keep them mentally and physically stimulated to keep them healthy. Feeding and grooming can also cost a lot of money, so this is something worth considering before adopting.

That said, if you have the space and time you need to care for them, then Armenian gamprs can be great companions. They’re good family dogs, perfect for keeping cattle safe, and can even be helpful service dogs or emotional support animals.