Corb means raven in Romanian. This shepherd dog has borne the name for generations because its coat is black, or must be more than 80 per cent black. A coat bleached reddish by summer sun nevertheless loses no points under the standard. This is the Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog (Ciobănesc Românesc Corb).
| FCI | Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type, Standard No. 373 Ciobănesc Românesc Corb, without working trial, provisionally recognised |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Romania |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 70 to 80 cm, females 65 to 75 cm; males below 65 cm and females below 62 cm disqualified |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard (only “in proportion to height”) |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | dense, long (7 to 10 cm), flat, straight and harsh on body, with shorter, denser undercoat; neck mane, fringes on forelegs, rear breeches, bushy tail; short hair on head and fronts of legs |
| Colours in the standard | always black or more than 80 per cent black with white patches on chest and forelegs; white over 30 per cent of body surface and any other colour disqualify |
A raven from the Southern Carpathians
According to the standard, the Corb is a naturally developed breed from the Southern Carpathians and their foothills in Dâmbovița, Argeș, Prahova and Brașov counties. It protects sheep and cattle and guards farmsteads there. Its area is small but its population numerous. The same mountains are home to the Mioritic, the Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog and the Bucovina Shepherd Dog.
New to the FCI: what “provisional” means
The FCI provisionally added the Corb to its breed list on 17 September 2024. Until definitive recognition, it cannot receive a CACIB at shows, the certificate towards International Beauty Champion status. The FCI says it can nevertheless become World or Section Winner. Its pedigrees must carry the FCI logo.
Calm with its people, loud against wolves
Balanced, calm, obedient and affectionate towards its people, reserved with strangers: that is the standard’s description. It has a pronounced flock instinct and enough courage to face bear and wolf. Its bark is deep, loud and far-carrying. Expect it to announce movement outdoors at night, and visitors to need your introduction first.
Space and trotting rather than the training ground
The standard wants a harmonious, elastic trot showing effortless power. A dog up to 80 centimetres at the shoulder needs long, steady walks, securely fenced grounds and a guardian’s role. Practise lead manners while it is still small.
What the raven coat needs
The long, harsh outer coat and dense undercoat keep out wind and snow. Thorough weekly brushing, especially mane and breeches, usually suffices. During moulting, wool comes away in quantity, requiring daily brushing. The standard requires the bushy tail to stay entirely natural.
Health: scarcely researched
We found no breed-specific study of the Corb, whether on disease or lifespan, and it is absent from McMillan and colleagues’ British analysis. Ask for the parents’ hip and elbow X-ray results and let the puppy grow slowly and stay lean.
Who will be happy with it, and who will not
It suits experienced people with a house, plenty of land and time, who appreciate a calm livestock guardian dog and do not confuse independence with disobedience. This black giant is the wrong choice for a city flat, close neighbours or anyone seeking a sporting partner.
The breed quiz shows whether a livestock guardian dog this size really fits your life; our book explores further: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the early days with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Immortalise your black Corb on a magazine cover on canvas or browse our dog portraits from your own photo .
Further reading
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- Autumn shedding in dogs and cats: what is normal and what is not
- Is my dog overweight? Checking body shape and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 373 Ciobănesc Românesc Corb (fci.be, German version dated 15.10.2024, English original dated 24.09.2024, valid standard published 17.09.2024); FCI breed page No. 373 and list of provisionally recognised breeds (fci.be); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (Corb not included).
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