Romania has four dog breeds*, and three of them are recognized by the FCI. You’re about to “meet” the breed that isn’t, the Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog.
Known colloquially in its native Romania as the Corb (corb = raven in Romanian, so named for the breed’s inky black coat covering 80% of the dog), this breed was developed in the Carpathian Mountains where for generations, it has been appreciated as flock guardian, watchdog, and family pet. These are big dogs that can weigh up to 132 pounds and stand nearly 30 inches, but the breed is described as “jolly and a playful companion for kids,” intelligent and calm, and very courageous in the face of potential predators such as lynx, bear, and wolf. As far as we can tell, the breed is not for everyone not because of temperament, but because it needs exercise, and also because it has a very powerful, deep bark easily heard from long distances making the Raven Shepherd a poor choice in some neighborhoods. Some sources also suggest a streak of independence which may be misinterpreted as a stubborn nature.
The national Standard was written in accordance with the model established by the 1978 FCI General Assembly in Jerusalem, approved by the A.Ch.R. Directory Council on in 2008, and updated in 2011, and while it is not FCI recognized,the Romanian Cynological Association does.
*Romania’s FCI recognized dog breeds are the Mioritic Shepherd, Carpathian Shepherd, and the Bucovina Shepherd.
Image of Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog by © Pavalache Stelian/Dreamstime
neat. one of the few non white/ beige livestock guardian breeds.
from the appearance, they may be distantly related to the Tibetian mastiff. A video i found on line seems to indicate they come in similar colors to the newfoundland (some white trim, some “bronze” which is genetically liver. All that matches up with a genetically black dog and some modifiers). looks like a very interesting breed.