South Russian Ovcharka adapts easily to diverse conditions and environments. There is a common misunderstanding that the dog requires huge land areas, to guard and wander. The breed specific feature is to be able to act in a pack in their own private environment. To fulfill the guarding instinct is enough to have a secured area, which is separated from the outer environment, recommended with a fence. External disturbance should be at moderate level and the dog should not be dismissed from its pack.

A dog that is adapted to its environment is peaceful but yet alert. Territorial behavior is usually dominating and strict, but outside its territory it should behave restrained and noble. The dog owner should still never forget the fact that a dog that is typical to its breed will never hesitate to protect his own pack.

South Russian Ovcharka is above average size and the main components of its growth and development are exercise together with proper quality and amount of food. It is good to feed the dog twice a day, when the amount of food is not too big at one time.  Fur is long and has a thick undercoat that has great tendency to felt. Therefore the dog should be combed at times to keep the undercoat proper and to avoid dermatitis.

Teeth, eyes, ears and nails are advisable to check regularly. It is important to accustom the dog to handling because of its well-being. Adjusting to gentle and versatile treatment gives assistance to be able to vaccinate or nurse an adult dog when it is time to visit a veterinarian.  The kind of breed has remained healthy because of sparse and reasonable breeding; there are no hereditary illnesses. If taken good care, the lifespan for males can be over 10 years and for females even 12...15 years.

South Russian Ovcharka loves harmony, routines and regularities. It detects and separates very sensitively all the deviant things with details that differ from familiar. The basis of all training is mutual understanding and trust between the dog and the instructor. Performing and executing various and stimulating routines together with positive strengthening is an advisable way of acting in all training and conforming. Then the only reward the dog needs is the leader´s approval.

An uncontrollable, illiterate and a savage dog can be risky and a shock to its owner in surprising situations, because the dog is able to act rapidly and independently in accordance with its basic instincts. A well trained and conformed dog can trust the owner, is confident and capable to behave correctly in the current, demanding situation.

Notable lines have become service dogs using selective breeding where some features are strengthened. Along these typical features there are these dogs' intelligence, adaptivity and selectivity that make the basis of training capabilities. These features demand consistency and smooth skills of leadership. By adjusting certain factors in living environment and training it is possible to strengthen or weaken these inborn features.