May 2000

Please note we were very sad to learn that Tasha's Dam & Grandsire have gone to the Rainbow bridge.

Hi, Tasha came into our life one cold winters day in 1997. As a pup she showed a willingness to protect and a love beyond anything I have ever encountered before in any breed of dog. As much as I love this Central Asian Ovcharka breed and Tasha I must emphasize from the oncet that this breed is NOT for everyone. They can be stubborn, not easily obedience trained, dog dominant, loud barkers, diggers, and a liability in the wrong hands.
In the right hands and situation, the Central Asian Ovcharka (fully translated to English language as the "Central Asian Shepherd") is a calm, protective, loving, affectionate members of the family. The Central Asian breed is a member of the classification of dogs called Flockguardians or livestock protection dogs. And while this group of dogs tends to be somewhat more aloof than some other breeds, the Central Asian is still very family oriented. Even with 24-7 access to our huge farm, you will find Tasha at certain times of the day sleeping under my feet. She routinely patrols our farm many times a day but always checks to see where I am at all times. She is nocturnal and chooses to stay outside late at night in a spot that overlooks the whole farm and house. Tasha accompanies me on my daily farm chores. She enjoys the time she spends with our horses and sometimes you will find them both playing who can eat the carrot quicker. The speed, agility and strength she exhibits are common for this breed.

Tasha will whine up a storm if I get my jacket on to go for a ride. She adores riding in the car and taking trips. She is the best car alarm and protector needed for long trips away from home.
Besides being the TOP CAO in the USA & Canada, Tasha has accomplished many things that are MORE important then any Ribbon that she has won. Here are just two; late one night in the winter of 1999 Buffalo was hit by a 3 week severe cold snap. Waterpipes were freezing, many utilities were failing, the whole area was in a standstill. My husband was working very late one night and was not expected home until 2:00 a.m. So I, along with my dogs, went out to the barn to give my horses some fresh water. All the buckets were starting to freeze solid. The wind was screaming like a banshee. When I entered one of the horse stalls I looked around and saw my neutered mutt Snoopy behind me but Tasha was gone from my side. I went to look for her when I heard my Arabian Stallion screaming and hitting the sides of the barn as he was trying to break out. When I got to the horse I looked around and could not believe my eyes. Tasha was fighting a Coyote right there under our 12 foot barn doors that were now off their hinges! I was is shock, I grabbed Snoopy threw him in a horse stall and reached for a pitch fork. I was yelling for Tasha to move, I had the pitch fork ready. But the tossing, turning, & loud growling I could not aim at the Coyote. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they separated, and the Coyote ran off.

Tasha followed the Coyote a few feet when I yelled for her to return and she did. There was blood everywhere. I really can't remember breathing. Time seemed to stand still. I reached for Tasha's collar and found it to be missing along with most of her neck fur. By the time we got to the house I picked up Tasha, all 103 lbs of her, and put her on the dining room table. I tried to find where all the blood was coming from. Yet I could not find any wounds All I found was some scratches on her neck. So I ran out to the barn this time without the dog to get my first aid kit. I was so nervous and grabbed the wrong antiseptic. I used a horse product called Blue Kote. Needless to say I had a blue dog for a month or so! Until the Coyote fight, I think we never realized how lucky we were to have Tasha. Late that same summer, our neighbors called us to inform us that 2 cases of rabies were found less then 200 yards from our barn. A rabid raccoon attacked a horse and was shot by the horses owners and a skunk was found rabid down the road. Tasha undoubtedly saved my horses, Snoopy, barn cats and myself from danger. She is my Hero and my Best Friend.
The day after we found parts of the Coyote's ears in the Snow where the fight occurred. We followed the Coyotes' tracks all the way to the creek that runs through our town. Western, New York has a large Coyote population. In addition, the Coyotes out here in these parts of the United States are some of the largest recorded in North America. Most recently we uncovered some Fox and Coyotes dens on the end of of property lines.
The town record for a Coyote is currently at 90 lbs. The hunter lives around the corner from us. Truth is, we dont personally believe in hunting, trapping or poison bait lines. We use natural protection, Flockguardians from a time long forgotten.
If you would like more information about the Western, New York Coyote please visit this link.

In addition Tasha has a inborn ability to detect when something is wrong. In 1998, I had to have surgery and in 1999, I severely broke my upper arm in 2 places. Both times she knew something was wrong. Despite her size and weight she was careful around me. She would leave my side 3-4 times a day to go out to the barn and if I made a sound or moved around she would come running back. As to say "Oh you're up". She would whine when I cried out in pain after the surgery or from the arm break. And in general, she made a point to keep me company the whole time I was bedridden, cheering me up along the way. CAO's sometimes think they are lap dogs at 100-150lbs. Now that is a big lap dog. They express love routinely and when raised with large families they extend their protection and love to each of your family members.
After having Tasha achieve two Champion titles, evaluated for Hips Elbows & Thyroid, and Registered with the UKC we started our search for a mate for her. We found that special dog in France. On a 500 head Llama farm. Cozemo Legend of the Falls was born to two working Central Asian Ovcharka parents. Cozemo is a grandson to Russian Champion Abdula and bears a striking resemblance to this great famous dog.
I have to admit I am a little jealous. Every since Cozemo's arrival, Tasha has bonded with him and while still comes into check on me but relishes her time rolling and hunting in the hay fields with her new buddy and future mate. They have an understanding and communication unique to many Flockguardian Dogs. It is fascinating to watch and to listen to them.

Cozemo Legend of the Falls

Well, as you can tell we are deeply committed to the Central Asian Ovcharka breed and to our dogs and animals. Hope you enjoyed listening to us talk about our Special Dog.
Please visit Foxfire Farms and our Central Asians Shepherds at http://www.centralasianshepherd.com
We are trying to put up a website that will accurately inform about the breed and our dogs. So please be patient while our site is under construction.
Special thanks to Karre for nominating Tasha as Dog of the Month for May, 2000. For more pictures and information about this breed, please be sure to visit the newly updated links on Molosser world for the Sredneasiatskaia Ovtcharka (Central Asian Ovcharka) & the Sage Koochi.
Both links show at great deal of breed type and information about this 4,000 year old FlockGuardian.
Mr. & Mrs. Vincenzo De Palma.
C.A.S.S.A - Central Asian Shepherd Society of America.

Molosserworld want to give Tasha & the De Palma's the best wishes for the future.

Do YOU want to nominate a Molosser for Dog of the Month? It does not have to be a dog who have achieved alot at shows, other reasons count as much to be Dog of the Month at Molosserworld.
Send me suggestions!

Mail me