Village of Trigrad is hosting the National Karakachan Dog Festival

The Karakachan dog is the first Bulgarian indigenous breed of farm animal

published on 9/21/25 6:05 AM

Photo: nokkbg.org

One of the most ancient breeds in Europe, the Karakachan dog is the first Bulgarian indigenous breed of farm animal recognized by the Animal Breeds Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2005. It owes its name to the nomadic sheep breeders known as Karakachans who roamed the pastures of the Balkan Peninsula with their many thousand-strong herds, we learn from the website of the International Association of the Karakachan Dog.

The average lifespan of dogs of this breed is 10-12 years and they require a lot of movement and space. Experts point out that the Karakachan dog is not a breed for a pet, but is a farm animal that feels full only when it "works" - guards herds or buildings.

A curious fact is that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Karakachan dog was successfully used by the Bulgarian army as a guard dog at the country's border posts.

Today, with the reduced number of livestock farms in the mountainous regions of Bulgaria, the natural range of the breed is endangered, and according to data from 2017, there are about 1,000 purebred specimens with a traced origin. The main goal of the International Karakachan Dog Association is to take care of the preservation of the breed in its original form.

The Karakachan dog is sought after by farmers both in Bulgaria and abroad. And the best dogs of the breed will be able to be seen on September 21 at the traditional Karakachan Dog Fair in the village of Trigrad, Southern Bulgaria, Smolyan Region. The animals will be evaluated by Dr. Assen Uzunov, Chairman of the Judging Commission of the International Karakachan Dog Association, and the best representatives will receive special awards.

A rich folklore program is planned with special performances with the traditional melody of the Rhodope bagpipe for the region. To become part of the celebration, all you need is a Karakachan dog or just a love for the most Bulgarian breed.