Well, To start - decided had had enough of the UK so off to new climates. Decided on bulgaria, found a house then decided needed a dog. Where to start........ relative put out a request on Facebook and see what happens! Loads of replies but one that tugged at my heart strings was w supposedly 2 year old Husky and what he had gone through. He had been owned by an old man who passed away. The family were not interested and left his livestock to fend for itself. Well Max found his way into the neighbours garden and befriended everyone. From English mum, Bulgarian Dad and child. Then the fun started! You have to understand that most Bulgarians do not understand keeping dogs as pets. They are either working dogs or street dogs. A "lady" down the road did not like the fact that this dog had found a home and reported to the authorities who forced into the garden and took the dog.

This is where I come in. He got taken to a "pound," castrated, chipped and a passport. Along with the tag in his ear! I got told about him and his story and he now has his happy forever home. As for walks - Forget it! He doesn't walk anywhere! Runs rings round me - LITERALLY. My garden is about half acre but I live right on the edge of a HUGE common. Nothing for miles except the odd sheep and Karacachan, (which I make Max steer clear of), 3 walks a day - no lead and has ALWAYS come back. Got him a day after my birthday and would I change him for anything else? NEVER. Perfect companion. Only problem is, I never know what the little bugger is going to get up to next!



The first pic is when I first got him - Underweight but not worried about anything. The second is 2 months on....... gaining weight and still happy as a pig in muck !

Welcome! Good for you and for Max for finding each other! He definitely looks like he's smiling in that last photo.  

So Karakachan dogs are still used to herd and guard sheep in Bulgaria?  That's rather cool -- but they can definitely be scary dogs. I'll bet Max could run circles around the Karakachan too, though.  

Before I got Max I was sat outside on the running boards of my SUV having a smoke and this MAHUSIVE Karacachan came plodding over to me! I froze to the spot and think I had to change my underwear, but all the dog did was come over to me, muzzle me and want to make friends! The shepherd man came running over in a bit of a panic and said something to me in Bulgarian, Still no idea what he said but when I said "Sorry. English" he just laughed and waved his arms as if to say - English - mad on dogs - no problem!!!! On;y problem is that the dog recently had pups and never sure if she could turn on Max so keep them a distance away. Karacachans are also used to PROTECT cattle as well. They are predominantly protection dogs and if you came face to face with a full breed one you would understand why. I am 5'9" tall and when Gary, (Karacachan) jumps up on his back legs he is WAY taller then me - and probably heavier!

I've never seen one, but I know about them from studying the "Molossus" breeds some years back. I do know that they take their guarding duties VERY seriously and they can be dangerous around other dogs or predators. And, yeah, HUGE! Gary? Awesome name for a big scary dog.

I used to have an American Eskimo Dog (like a white German Spitz) named Max. He was beautiful and very devoted to me, otherwise he was pure evil. Your Max seems MUCH nicer.