Skip to content
Zerdava

Zerdava

The Zerdava (Georgian: მეკვერნე) is an aboriginal laika dog breed native to the Black Sea region of Turkey and Georgia. Zerdava are traditionally used as guard and hunting dogs and are especially prized for boar hunting. The name “Zerdava” is Slavic for mustelid, possibly in reference to their Marten-brown color or their treeing behavior when hunting martens.

Life Span 10-14 years
Weight 10-30 kg

What to Know Before Buying a Zerdava

Finding a responsible Zerdava breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.

Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Zerdava. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.

Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Zerdavas appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.

Looking for a Zerdava breeder?

Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.

Search USDA Breeders