Thought to be ancient in origin, the Greek Shepherd is very closely related to livestock guardian dog breeds from neighbouring countries; it is believed that some dogs are simultaneously claimed to be other breeds as they migrate annually across national borders with the flocks they protect in search seasonal pastures.

[1] It is claimed the Greek Shepherd has been found in Greece since ancient times, Plato wrote of dogs of similar form and function being known in the region of Epirus as early as 800 BC.

[1] Typically these shepherds winter their flocks in Greece where their Greek Shepherds protect the flocks from Greek wolves and jackals; then as the weather improves they walk with their flocks, accompanied by their dogs, over 480 kilometres (300 mi) through North Macedonia to their summer pastures in the Šar Mountains on the border of Albania and Kosovo where their Šarplaninacs protect their flocks from predators found there; then in the autumn they make the return journey to Greece where their dogs once again transform into Greek Shepherds.

[2][4] In some areas, only pure white examples are kept by local shepherds, with non-white puppies being culled because it is thought they bring bad luck.

[3][7] The breed is renowned for its ferocity when guarding flocks, with dogs sometimes taking it upon themselves to protect the whole countryside as opposed to their master's flocks; people walking in some rural areas, even shepherds, often needed to arm themselves with sticks and rocks to ward off shepherd dogs who could mistake them for thieves.

Capable of constant herd guarding and protection work under diverse weather conditions, at rough terrain and with little food requirements.

Movement must be free and steady when trotting, changing effortlessly to gallop with turning ability.

The Greek Shepherd dog lives harmoniously with the herd and protects it fiercely when threatened.

It is a slow maturing breed, with good health, longevity and of strong sexual dimorphism, especially in body substance between male and female specimens.

Today the breed is regarded as a primitive mountain type shepherd, of mainly guarding use.

Of medium size, triangular, heart shaped, set at the level of the outer corner of the eyes.

When the dog is alert, ears are slightly raised forward, thus enhancing expression.

Feet are oval in shape, tight with hard and harsh nails, of big size.

The tail is thick at its base, set high and reaches the hock forming a curve and a small reversal at its extremity.

When the dog is alert and moves the tail rises and forms a semi-circle over the croup.

The undercoat is soft and dense and the top coat is longer with straight or slightly wavy hair.

In black dogs there are sometimes brown highlights and white markings in chest, neck, end of muzzle and extremities.

In multicolour dogs the white is dominant and we can see big or small patches or markings of fawn, brindle or black colour.

Highly trainable, needs early socialization so he can live harmoniously with people and other animals.

•    A pointed and long muzzle •    Discoloration of the nose •    Tight lips- •    Light colored eyes •    Entropion or loose eyelids •    Too small or too big ears placed too high on the head Cropped ears •    Undershot or overshoAbsence of teeth when not accounted for by damage of old age •    Narrow and long scull •    Cow hocked or bow legged •    Weak and small feet •    Weak pasterns and hocks •    Narrow skeleton and light construction of the body •    Weak and long back that shows an intense curve from the withers to the hip bones •    Lymphatic body appearance •    Thin tail •    Lack of coat •    Curly coat •    Brown colour •    Body size that is below the standard height and weight in mature dogs over two years of age •    Dogs that are nervous or excessively aggressive Note: Males must have two well developed normal testicles well placed in the scrotum.

[9] The kennel club's breed standard for the Molossus of Epirus describes a breed with very similar characteristics as the Greek Shepherd; the principle differences are in colour, it stating the Molossus of Epirus should be solid red, blonde, yellow or black, striped and wolf or deer colour with a minimal patch of white on the chest.

[9] Additionally, it states bitches are only slightly smaller than dogs, standing between 64 and 74 centimetres (25 and 29 in).