Mention the Sarplaninac, and the first things people picture are sheep, high mountains, and untouched nature.
Beautiful, right?
But then, you run into the kind of nonsense that is downright scary. People write that these dogs are half-dog and half-beast, or a “ticking time bomb” that turns on the owner at age seven. Some even claim they are stupid.
None of this has any basis in truth!
I believe these misconceptions exist because cynological judges and breeders didn’t do their homework. There hasn’t been enough focus on strict selection, both inside and outside the show ring.
Once those myths are out of the way, you can finally see the real dog in everyday situations. Let’s look at how they actually live as family guardians.
I grew up with Sarplaninac dogs, and to me, they are the number one breed in the world. In second place, I’d put the Samoyed because of its beauty—and then all the others.
I am a staunch opponent of training them to “sit,” “lie down,” or fetch a ball. That approach is simply wrong for this breed. Socialization? Of course.
But turning the Sarplaninac into an obedient dog that performs exercises just to impress the neighborhood and friends? Never.
Imagine a powerful Sarplaninac with a menacing gaze, ready to confront wild beasts and then imagine me teaching him those tricks. It doesn’t make sense.
These dogs are highly intelligent and make decisions independently. They will ignore you if they sense you’re trying to “trick” them, and at that point, it’s best to just leave them alone.
Their only task is to guard what has been entrusted to them as a gift, and they do it very successfully.
The Sarplaninac won’t waste energy for no reason. When they roam the yard, they stay calm unless there’s a real threat – an unknown person or a stray animal nearby. But once that “red line” is crossed, their reaction is explosive.
It takes a serious trigger for them to bite, especially a human; it’s usually their own judgment call when they sense the owner or family is in danger.
We have had many dogs pass through our yard, and I can tell you this: no Sarplaninac has ever attacked or bitten me.
There were a few dogs I couldn’t safely approach without my father being there, but those cases were rare. These were usually dogs that stayed with us only for a short time or arrived at our kennel when they were already old.
Are Sarplaninacs Good With Cats?
The Sarplaninac doesn’t bark for no reason, and they don’t have the urge to attack those weaker than themselves.
Our dogs have proven this many times in practice.
Take Tyson, for example. He stayed with a friend of ours who has cats, and there wasn’t a single problem.
The photo and video below show exactly how he behaved.
Tyson is well aware of his strength and size. He understands that the cat isn’t a threat to his territory, but a friend.
Any well-balanced dog (whether the Sarplaninac or any other breed) should behave this way around cats.
On the other hand, let’s be honest: I don’t know of many cases where the dog actually managed to catch a cat anyway.
They are usually too quick!
Sarplaninac and Children: A Bond for Life
Growing up with a Sarplaninac means having a loyal protector from day one.
These dogs don’t just provide security; they encourage an active lifestyle and teach a child about commitment and responsibility in a way no book can.
Furthermore, they play a crucial role in helping your child develop qualities like self-confidence, self-esteem, commitment, and responsibility, as well as honing their social skills.
I grew up with them myself, and I can tell you that these lessons stay with you for life.
Take a look at the gallery below – these are real moments, including pictures of me as a child with our dogs.
You can see for yourself how they behave around the youngest members of the family.
- All
- in the House
- outside the house
Is Keeping a Sarplaninac in an Apartment as a Pet a Good Idea?
Let’s take a step back to the roots of this article: sheep, mountains, vast pastures, clean air, and untouched nature!
From what we’ve seen, it’s clear that this breed of dog thrives in wide-open spaces.
When we consider city living, the logical choice seems to be a house with a yard.
However, some “keyboard experts” may vehemently claim that an apartment and a Sarplaninac should never go together!
So, I ask them, how can a German Shepherd Dog (classified under FCI: Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs) make a perfect apartment pet?
Doesn’t their place belong with sheep on a mountainside, like other sheepdogs?
I often get some absurd answers, and in the process, we tend to overlook a crucial fact – Sarplaninacs are lazy dogs!
If you plan to keep the dog confined for long periods during the day, my advice is simple: do not get the Sarplaninac!
However, if the owner is bringing this dog into their life for security, as well as out of genuine love for the breed and a commitment to their pet, my answer is YES!
This means morning, noon, and evening walks to ensure that their outdoor physiological needs are met, whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny (24/7/365).
Trips to the park, visits to various city spots, and shared adventures become part of the routine.
Many people who have Sarplaninacs as companions view their apartments as overnight stays or brief stopovers because the nature of their work allows the owner and the dog to be together throughout the day.
Here’s an interesting comment on our Facebook post:
“I live in an apartment, though I only sleep here because I don’t like enclosed spaces. But with my Max, we’re constantly on the move because the job I do requires driving from place to place, and we’re literally together 24/7.”
Conclusion
I’ve tried to be as objective as possible in answering whether the Sarplaninac is the right family pet.
At the end of the day, it all depends on your lifestyle, your time, and your commitment.
However, I believe that the images and videos I’ve shared speak louder than any words. This dog has so much to offer as a loyal, protective, and loving companion to the right family.
Thank you for your time. The perfect pet is the one that brings real joy and companionship into your life and for me, and many others, that dog is the Šarplaninac.
