Armenian Gampr Dog Breed: Facts, Traits, Character and Look

For thousands of years, the Armenian Gampr dogs have been guarding livestock in the Armenian Highlands. The Gampr, as it is frequently abbreviated, is classified as a large to giant landrace breed. The term landrace is used because these Armenian dogs were often allowed to mate with wolves in the wild. Another name often used to indicate this dog is the Armenian Wolfhound Gampr. The name translates to “large, hairy beast.” 

They are naturally gentle and protective of human family members of all ages and livestock. However, the Armenian Gampr can be more aloof and serious than most other breeds and not likely to be playful. Gampr dogs will not get along with other dogs unless they are properly socialized. In contrast, they crave human friendship and will protect their humans with their lives.

Nevertheless, they are typically calm, intelligent, and courageous. The Armenian Wolfhound Gampr is an exceptionally healthy breed with a slightly longer lifespan of 12 to 15 years than most dogs of their size. The Armenian Gampr females have 6 to 8 puppies per litter.

Naming your Armenian Gampr involves important building blocks, including the significance of the sound. The Armenian Gampr’s name will mean something to the humans in the dog’s life, but as far as your canine companion goes, only the sound matters. Armenian Gamprs respond best to two-syllable names that are not short enough to be confused with single-syllable command words like “sit,” stay,” “come,” and “down.” However, the names should not be long enough to become puzzling.

Use any inspiration you want to choose a name that could sound different in regular interaction than when calling your Armenian Gampr. It might be a good idea to call out a name you like and check your Gampr pup’s reaction. Be creative use different tones for each syllable. Don’t rush; try several, and if your favorite name is too long or too short, add or remove bits until you have composed the perfect unique sound that your precious pup will recognize from a distance.

What is the History of the Armenian Gampr?

The Armenian Gampr is an ancient breed whose origins trace back at least 7,000 years, but as many as 15,000 years. This ancient Armenian Gampr is an old breed that hasn’t been subjected to typical selective breeding as many modern breeds. Its history includes periodic mating with wolves indigenous to Armenia’s Syuniq and Geghama Mountains.

What are the Breed Traits and Characteristics of Armenian Gamprs?

The Gampr dog is a courageous and intelligent dog with a strong and natural instinct to protect its family and home. Armenian Gamprs are not very social with strange humans and strange dogs because of their natural instinct to protect livestock. However, they have a natural love and affection for their human family members of all ages. Gumpr dogs are courageous and will not stand back if their families are threatened.

What are the Physical Traits of the Armenian Gampr Dog?

The Armenian Gampr dogs are large canines with a beautiful appearance. They have a large head, which is well-developed and well-outlined but lacks prominent cheekbones. Their back is straight, wide, strong, and muscular. Despite its great size, this dog is lean, agile, and built for durability. Its long, flat muscles stretch over strong bones to create a more athletic shape. The Armenian Gampr has visibly strong shoulders and a muscly neck.

The Gamprs’ well-developed undercoat protects them under harsh conditions.  Depending upon the coat length, there are two types: long-haired, with long top hairs, and short-haired, with dense, relatively short hair. A brown or piebald coat is undesirable according to the breed standard.

The average height of the mature male Armenian Gampr dogs is 25 to 26 inches at the withers for males, and 23 to 24 inches for the females. The average body weight of the mature male dog is between 110 and 135 Pounds, and between 99 and 130 pounds for females.

What is the Average Maintenance Cost for Armenian Gampr Dogs?

The Armenian Gampr should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for large and giant breeds as a large-breed dog. The Gampr is also a working breed, but they are not overly active, so a working breed formula may not be necessary. 

The average price of a Gampr puppy is from $1,000 to $1,500, assuming you purchase them from a qualified breeder. Depending on their bloodlines and other criteria, some dogs may cost as much as significantly more. Dogs from other sources can cost less, but they may be more prone to health and behavioral problems. It would be best to consider annual expenses related to the maintenance of your Gampr and its wellbeing.

The first year will be the most expensive, as puppies require extra vet care and more one-time purchases like microchips, spaying or neutering, etc. You can expect to spend about $3,000 for your dog’s first year. After that, the price will go down to about $1,700 a year. 

The estimated annual cost of having a medium-sized dog like an Armenian Gampr is $650 for food and medical expenses only. Typical additional expenses are listed below, excluding toys, cages, doggy blankets, beds, etc. 

• Food items
• Veterinary care
• Vaccinations
• Preventive medicine
• Toys
• Pet insurance
• Pet Supplies

Other potential expenses include training, socializing, doggy daycare, dog sitters, dog walkers, etc. This dog has a double layer coat consisting of a thick, well-developed undercoat with a rough outer coat that is protective against both weather and predators. 

The Armenian Gampr is an average drooler. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. The Armenian Gampr has a moderate risk for obesity, especially if working dogs become house pets with insufficient exercise. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together.

What is the best diet for Armenian Gamprs?

Your dog’s adult size determines its dietary needs through all life stages. Thus, base your  Armenian Gampr’s diet on a large breed’s unique nutritional and digestive needs throughout its different life stages. Armenian Gamprs fall in the large to giant breed class, and most dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, large and giant breeds. 

It is always a good idea to discuss your dog’s dietary needs with your vet to ensure you are prepared to deal with age-related issues as their Gamprs grow. A veterinarian can advise on diets, portion sizes, meal frequencies, and all nutrition matters to ensure your furry friend lives a long life with optimal health. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times, and some of the essential nutrients are listed below:

• Protein
• Fatty acids
• Carbohydrates
• Minerals
• Vitamins

Avoid feeding your Gampr from the table, all it does is add weight, instead, follow the advice below to ensure your Gampr friend’s optimal health.

Armenian Gampr is a working breed type. It will thus need food that contains animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins, and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. A dog of this size, activity level, and demeanor will thrive best on premium dry food because this food type contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.

Armenian Gampr puppy’s portion depends on age, but 3.5 to 4.5 cups are appropriate. In contrast, an active, healthy adult Armenian Gampr should have 5 to 6 cups, depending on the brand and formula of the food. Feeding Armenian Gamprs several meals instead of one meal per day can prevent life-threatening bloat. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian. 

Feed your Armenian Gampr a food formulated for large dog breeds, recipes for puppies, adults, and seniors.

Orijen Dry Dog Food for active large breeds, with recipes formulated for each life stage, is a good choice, made with WholePrey animal ingredients, including organs and bone, delivering 85% quality animal ingredients, freeze-dried coated for the wag-worthy raw flavor dogs love.

Below is a list of what to look for in the dry dog food formula when choosing the best nutrition for your Armenian Gampr.

• Lasting energy providers: Dog food made with premium meats like chicken, duck, turkey, beef, lamb, salmon, and novel proteins like venison, bison, buffalo, and wild boar. Fiber-rich carbs and highly digestible proteins keep your Gampr feeling energized and full throughout the day.
• Ingredients for better health: Food that includes powerful superfoods like tomatoes, raspberries, blueberries, along with their immune-boosting properties.
• Optimizing Nutrient Absorption: Recipes with chelated minerals promote mineral attachment to proteins for maximized absorption during the digestive process.
• Immune System Support: Formulas with prebiotics and species-specific probiotics with bacteria that are naturally found in a dog’s GI tract.
• Perfectly Balanced Omegas: Contains just the correct dose of fatty acids, marine-sourced omega-3 and omega-6 from plant sources.

When Armenian Gamprs are healthy and active, every day is an adventure. That’s why Orijen for active breeds is crafted with everything dogs need to thrive, starting with real protein as the first ingredient.

How Much Should an Armenian Gampr Puppy Eat? 

The Armenian Gampr is a large-sized breed whose pups under 12 weeks should get four bowls of food per day. When Armenian Gamprs become three months old, owners can feed them three meals per day until they reach six months, reducing the food intake to 2 meals per day. Only high-quality and branded puppy food is acceptable. Guidance for feeding puppies is listed below.

• Armenian Gampr puppies need slow, sustained growth to help prevent orthopedic problems, such as hip dysplasia. Raise them on a diet designed for large-breed puppies. Whatever diet you choose shouldn’t overemphasize protein, fat, and calorie levels.
• Armenian Gamprs should be fed according to a schedule, spreading meal times over two or three times per day. Getting the puppy accustomed to meals at specific times is better than leaving food out to allow feeding throughout the day.
• Armenian Gamprs with medical conditions like hypoglycemia or low blood sugar are the exceptions because they need to nibble bits of food throughout the day.
• Never feed your puppy from the table. It only encourages begging. Everyone in the family must follow this rule.

What are the common health problems of Armenian Gamprs?

Because the Armenian Gampr has not been inbred and is an ancient breed, they are not prone to many health problems. The Armenian Gampr is a large breed dog and will have the typical health concerns associated with that – hip and elbow dysplasia, in particular. Regular veterinarian checkups remain essential, and the following list of health conditions should be monitored:

• Hip dysplasia is a deformation that occurs and develops as Armenian Gampr puppies grow. It is caused by loose joints that prevent the ball part of one bone from sliding smoothly in the socket of the other joint bone. Instead, it grinds and rubs in the joint, causing painful wear and tear damage as the Armenian Gampr grows and becomes heavier. Although it could start in puppyhood, it usually only becomes evident in adult dogs, making annual medical examinations crucial.
• Elbow Dysplasia is the most common cause of lameness in the forelimbs of active breeds like the Armenian Gampr.
• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) or Gastric Torsion is also known as ‘bloat’, a life-threatening disorder that happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. This is an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.
• Muscle Strains and injuries happen to any dog that works for a living, the Armenian Gampr will have a higher chance of developing injuries over their lifetime than will companion animals or show dogs. Most commonly, they will be seen at a veterinary clinic for lacerations, claw injuries, soft tissue injuries, and fractures.

What are the nutritional needs of Armenian Gamprs?

The nutritional needs of an Armenian Gampr include high levels of specific nutrients. The essential nutrients for the Armenian Gampr are listed below.

• Protein: Armenian Gamprs need natural animal protein, valuable for the amino acids they contain essential for Armenian Gampr’s health. Equally important is the fact that protein builds lean muscles and provides energy.
• Fat: Animal protein provides adequate fat, an additional energy source that boosts the Armenian Gampr’s metabolism. However, there is a fine line between enough and too much. Excessive fat levels in the dog’s daily diet could result in weight gain and, ultimately, obesity. Most importantly, adults and senior Armenian Gampr need lower fat levels than puppies.
• Carbohydrates: Although carbs are not essential nutrients, they are crucial energy sources. Giving the Armenian Gampr sufficient carbs will provide energy, encouraging the body’s protein absorption to build lean muscle. Beware, though, too much carbohydrate can lead to obesity.
• DHA: DHA is one of the components of omega-3 fatty acids. It promotes proper eye and brain development in Armenian Gampr puppies, and DHA develops cognitive development in puppies and slows cognitive decline in older dogs. Furthermore, omega fatty acids benefit aging dogs by treating chronic kidney disease and canine arthritis. Omega-3 oils improve the coat health of Armenian Gampr.
• Micronutrient: Taurine is one micronutrient that aids heart health and other valuable micronutrients for promoting strong joints in Armenian Gamprs chondroitin and glucosamine.
• Minerals: Beneficial minerals for an Armenian Gampr’s growth include a healthy balance of phosphorus and calcium. Pre- and probiotics and chelated minerals provide additional health to the diets of Armenian Gamprs.

Where to Buy or Adopt an Armenian Gampr?

Armenian Gamprs are incredibly rare and, therefore, hard to find, even in their country of origin. If you purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay up to $5,000, and for puppies with sought-after bloodlines, prices could be as high as $8,000.

If you manage to track down Armenian Gampr breeders, make sure you go to the facility and insist on meeting both the puppies’ parents so that you can get a feel for their temperament. Armenian Gampr puppies are often peppy and playful—all should have cheery expressions and kind eyes. 

The best way to ensure you get a healthy Armenian Gampr puppy is to reach out to the Armenian Gampr Club of America at gampr.org. This club will help you find your Armenian Gampr puppy, view current and upcoming litters, rehomes, and connect with Approved Breeders in the US & Canada.

It might take some time to find a legitimate breeder, and travel may very well be in the cards. Steer clear of backyard breeding by avoiding sales sites and ad pages. When you select a breeder, make sure they have proof of successful, healthy litters with any documentation necessary.

Although you can buy or adopt an Armenian Gampr from abroad, not all countries allow the import of adopted dogs. Those whose countries allow the importation of Armenian Gamprs may find the logistics challenging. Procedures include obtaining certification from a vet to prove the Armenian Gampr is fully vaccinated and providing all the additional required veterinary documents before the travel.

Furthermore, your country must approve the veterinarian to authorize the importation, and it will be your responsibility to ensure you use the services of a certified vet. The same process applies to importing rescued dogs.

What Dog Breeds are Similar to the Armenian Gampr?

Armenian Gamprs are unlike any other dog breed because they are not entirely purposefully and selectively bred. They are called a landrace because they were sometimes allowed to mate with wolves in nature over centuries. However, they are comparable to several other working dog breeds. Below are some examples of similar breeds to Armenian Wolfhound Gamprs.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog: The AnatolianShepherd dog breed has Turkish origins, while the Gampr has roots in Armenia. Although the Armenian Gampr weighs a bit less than the Turkish shepherd dog, the two breeds are both working dogs, and they share several other traits and characteristics. Both are categorized as large breeds requiring minimal maintenance. Some of the personality traits they share include their reasonable affection level and sensitivity. Both breeds have average barking tendencies, and they are easy to train. Furthermore, they are both excellent guard dogs and watchdogs. However, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog’s lack of social traits related to interaction with children, pets, and other family members is a clear difference. know more about Anatolian Shepherd Dog social life, care & diet information.

Kangal: While the Gampr’s roots are in Armenia, the Kangal breed originated in Turkey. Although both breeds are classified as large to giant, the Turkish Kangal’s size leans more toward giant size, While the Armenian Gampr dog’s size tends to be closer to the large size. The Armenian Gampr and the Kangal are working dogs that share several other traits, including easy grooming and easy training. Some of the personality traits they share include independence, intelligence, loyalty, and both breeds are sensitive, adaptable, and easy to train. Furthermore, they also share their attributes of being excellent watchdogs and guard dogs.