Fertility and Growth Traits, Some Body Measurements, and Morphological Characteristics of Kars Shepherd Dogs

This study aimed to determine the fertility and growth traits, some body measurements, and morphological characteristics of Kars Shepherd dogs. A total of 21 bitches were used to determine fertility traits and 57 puppies were used for growth traits, some body measurements, and some important morphological characteristics. Body measurements of the puppies were taken at 45th, 60th, and 75th days of age, and subsequently on a monthly basis from 3 to 12 months of age. The mean age at first estrus was 427 days, with an average estrous cycle length of 234.7 days, the duration of mating was 18.9 min, and the gestation period averaged 62.7 days. Both estrus rate and whelping rate values were 100%, while the stillbirth rate was 27.9%, and the average litter size was 5.03. Means of birth weight, live weight at the 3rd, 6th and 12th months were 0.51, 12.10, 21.89 and 40.63 kg, respectively. The mean of head circumference was 51.92 cm, muzzle circumference was 30.62 cm, chest circumference was 79.77 cm, chest depth was 26.23 cm, height at withers was 69.34 cm, height at rump was 68.58 cm, body length was 72.04 cm and front wrist circumference was 13.70 cm in Kars Shepherd dog puppies at 12 months of age. The average age at first opening of the eyelids, age at first opening of the external ear canal, age at first eruption of deciduous teeth, and age at the eruption of first permanent teeth were 14.02, 16.95, 25.21 days and 12.51 weeks for Kars Shepherd puppies, respectively. These findings will increase our knowledge about the Kars Shepherd dog, about which there is not enough information, and will be a source of literature for future studies.