A Caucasian Ovcharka dwarfs its owner They can grow to a massive size - and are programmed to protect against the fiercest predators. Now huge dogs bred for hunting Russian bears are going on sale in Northern Ireland for the first time. Male Caucasian Ovcharka dogs can reach as much as 14 stone in weight and eat their way through two huge bowls of dog food a day, according to Newry man Jason Mooney, who is offering them for sale.Mr Mooney said he has a one-year male called Bear, which has already reached 11 or 12 stone, and a 18-month female called Orya. "I was in England a few years ago and a friend of mine has some – he was the first person to bring them into England," he said."It was the size that struck me – I thought they were massive."They can be quite protective dogs as well. "He had three of his grandchildren with him and the dog was trying to go for me to keep me away from them. But the ones I have are quite placid – they wouldn't be as protective as his were."

Mr Mooney said the dogs were originally bred for bear hunting and have featured in Russia's Toughest Prisons series on National Geographic channel."They have them as guard dogs," he explained. "Everyone is stunned by them. We live in the countryside and the postman came up and asked what they were. Bengal Cat Breeder MissouriThen he said he had Googled them – he thought they were brilliant. Chrysler 300c Fog Light Bulb SizeEverybody is surprised by the size of them."T-Shirt Produktion TschechienI have plenty of room here for them to run about. We wouldn't take them for walks very often because we have two acres of land and they have the run of the whole place."Mr Mooney says the dogs are great with his children Kai (4) and Alicia (18 months).

"Kai has been bred up with them and they love him. They knock him over the odd time because they are so big but they love him," he said. "They just chase each other around."The dogs also get on well with the other animals, including the goats."The big dog would put his paw on the goat and try to push him to the ground," Mr Mooney says. "The male wouldn't be fully grown yet – he's about 11 or 12 stone at the moment and he will probably reach 14 stone. He would eat two big dog bowls of food a day filled to the brim."I've bred Akitas too, and they wouldn't be a small dog, but when these were five-six weeks they were twice the size of the Akita pups at that age."Mr Mooney said the breed is familiar to a lot of Polish people in the area as they know them from home. "A lot of people would know what they are as soon as they see them," he said. "They need to go to someone who has plenty of room. It wouldn't suit them to be going to a a little back street yard – they need room to exercise."

The Caucasian Ovcharka, or Caucasian shepherd dog, is a flock guardian used to protect sheep from predators and thieves. For centuries flocks of sheep have existed in Caucasia, the mountainous land mass between the Black and Caspian Seas. Dogs similar to this breed have protected the sheep from predators for at least 600 years. Beethoven is a 1992 comedy film about a loveable St Bernard puppy named after composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who keeps growing and causes mayhem around the home.The Caucasian Shepherd Dog (CSD) is considered to have originated from ancient dogs from the Caucasian Range and the steppe regions of Southern Russia. Historically Caucasian Shepherd dogs were used for guarding and safe-keeping of herds, flocks and dwellings from beasts of prey and predators. Selection work with the breed started in the USSR in the 1920s at the Red Star Kennel where different types of dog indigenous to particular regions were used until the heavier Georgian type was selected as the preferred type.

The Modern Caucasian has evolved away from the aboriginal dogs of the Caucasus, and some believe ambitious breeders may have infused blood from a number of molloser breeds. This may account for the long striking coat and heavier mastiff features which are common in the modern variety preferred by many exhibitors. The CSD is recognised by the FCI as a guard and watch dog and the first examples were introduced to the UK in 2002 with their numbers now estimated to be between 200 and 300. In late 2010 an application was submitted for recognition by the Kennel Club. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka and is sometimes referred to as the Caucasian Mountain Dog. It is a large to massive guardian breed often weighting 160 lb and standing 34 inch tall with a huge thick coat. Many people aptly describe them as bears, rugged and hardy they will happily snooze outside at � 20 or lay by your side in the house as long as they have a flock or family they can call their own.

Undemanding, not keen on games of chase or tug they are more likely to show affection by quietly leaning or rubbing against a family member or simply investigating as you go about your business and when you are quiet they will usually follow suit. Their main focus in life is to keep the flock or family safe and it�s a role they commit to with gusto, their devotion to immediate family is renowned. Intensive socialisation and management is needed to temper their natural instinct to actively protect. They are formidable guardians who can by default dislike strangers so caution is recommended. They have a keen independent mind willing and able learn however this does not extend to total focus on the owner around distractions/ The modern popularity for the largest most aesthetically pleasing dogs means hip and elbow problems are known in some lines. It is recommended that hip and elbows be tested and then referenced to breeds of a similar weight in the UK until such time as an average score is developed.