Kronstadt Shepherd
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Originally bred by the farmers of the Crownlands to act as herding dogs, the Kronstadt Shepherds have evolved further, becoming guarding dogs for many noble families within the region. Most assume that nobility took a liking to the appearance of those dogs, as they possess a rather commanding presence, and due to their golden fur.
Physical Appearance
Similar to other herding dogs the Kronstadt Shepherd possesses a commanding presence, standing at an average height of fifty five to sixty five centimeters in height. Those dogs boast a frame that is both powerful and agile, built for endurance and protection, which are based on their daily tasks as herding dogs.
Its most distinguishing feature is its golden coat, thick and double-layered, shimmering like a river made of gold. The undercoat is dense and soft, providing warmth and insulation, while the outer coat is longer and coarser, often forming a mane-like ruff around the neck and shoulders which is especially prominent in older males. The furs coloration ranges from a pale honey to deep burnished gold, with subtle gradations along the spine, extremities and flanks. In some rare lineages, which are often kept by noble houses, the coat exhibits a faint metallic sheen under sunlight, leading some to believe that these hounds are touched by magic or descended from celestial beasts. Such beliefs are, however, just mere rumours.
Besides the golden fur, the Kronstadt Shepherd possesses deep, amber-colored, eyes. Next to their eyes the muzzle is strong and well-formed, with a black nose, framed by short fur that transitions seamlessly into the longer coat at the cheeks and throat. The ears are located on the top of the shepherd's head, standing tall and erect, triangular in shape with finely furred interiors, always attuned to sound, giving the shepherd an ever-alert appearance.
The limbs of the Kronstadt Shepherd are muscular, ending in compact and thick-padded paws, each of them holding a set of black claws. Lastly the furred tail of the shepherd is long, carrying low during walking or running, often swaying from one side to the other.
Mental Characteristics
The Kronstadt Shepherds are curious beings which love to explore and learn more about their surroundings, making them excellent herding and guard dogs. Like other herding dogs they are overprotective of their family and to an extent their herd or territory, often growling at possible intruders until being calmed down by their owner. As such many nobles keep those dogs as protective guard dogs, while farmers often keep them as guarding and herding dogs instead.
Beside such the Kronstadt Shepherd intelligence is not a simple, instinctual cleverness, but a multifaceted, layered mind marked by problem-solving prowess, emotional intuition, and a startling capacity for learning and memory. The Kronstadt Shepherd is capable of recognizing complex patterns, adapting swiftly to new situations, and responding not merely to commands, but to context, supporting their function and task as a guardian and herding dog even further.
Lifespan and Development
From birth the Kronstadt Shepherd pups are blind, deaf and wholly dependent on their mother, similarly to other dog species. However, just two to three weeks after their birth the pups start to awaken, opening their eyes and ears for the first time, finally being capable of receiving the very world around them. Just mere weeks after, the pups start to explore their surroundings, being capable of waddling around at this stage in their development. During this phase of their development the pups start to create first attachments and bonds with individuals, such as their owner or the animals they shall herd in the future.
As the Kronstadt Shepherds grow into adolescence, which usually happens around six months, they become leaner and more energetic, testing boundaries, full of drive and instinct, requiring careful, consistent guidance to shape their future behavior. Full maturity is usually reached by two years, though some males may not fully develop physically until closer to three years of age. During adulthood, they exhibit peak physical and mental ability, protective and perceptive, and are deeply bonded to their human companions.
After spending most of their lives guarding or herding the Kronstadt Shepherds start to show signs of aging at around eight years. Signs of aging include a gradual slowing of movement, some stiffness in the joints and a shift toward a more calm, contemplative demeanor. Most commonly the dogs pass away one year later, at around nine years of age.
Territory and Grouping
Kronstadt Shepherds, as a breed, display strong and complex grouping behavior that stems from their purposeful breeding to act as herding dogs. Bred for centuries by the farmers and nobles of Reinar to manage and protect flocks, they naturally exhibit a strong instinct to maintain structure, order, and cohesion within a group, whether among livestock, other animals, or humans. This tendency manifests in their inclination to monitor the movement and location of those they consider part of their pack, which may include family members or herds of other pets.
When in a group, the Kronstadt Shepherds often assume a supervisory role, positioning themselves strategically to oversee the collective and ensure no individual strays too far, sometimes gently nudging or circling to guide others back toward the perceived center. This herding behavior isn't aggressive by nature but is firm, focused, and highly intelligent, driven by an innate sense of responsibility and duty to protect the other members of the shepherds herd or pack.
Abilities
The Kronstadt Shepherds, similar to his cousins, have an excellent sense of smell and can often notice subtle changes in their environment based on such. Besides such their sense of hearing is just as excellent, their ears often twitching and turning as they locate the origins of sounds in their close vicinity. Combining those two excellent senses the Kronstadt Shepherd makes an excellent guard and herding dog, as they notice changes quickly and can act in time to protect or warn the individuals or the herd they bonded to.
Besides such the agility of those dogs are not to be underestimated, as they can quickly sprint from one point to another or give chase to a possible threat easily. The most commonly said threat is the very bite of the Kronstadt Shepherd, which commonly leaves deep bite marks on the attacked arms or legs.
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