Himalayan Sheepdog
- Origin
- Himalayas
- Type
- Livestock guardian
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 51–76 cm (20–30 in)
- Weight
- 23–41 kg (51–90 lb)
- Coat
- Long, thick and harsh double coat
- Colors
- Black and tan or solid black, with some white on the toes, chest and neck
- Status
- Not recognised by the major kennel clubs
The Himalayan Sheepdog is a livestock guardian dog from the Himalayas, found in the foothills from eastern Nepal to Kashmir. It is known locally by several names, among them Bhote Kukur, Bhotia, Gaddi Kutta and Bangara. Its main work is guarding flocks of yak and sheep from predators and guarding property. Unusually for a livestock guardian, it is also used to help with herding, and sometimes with hunting.
History
The breed goes back to ancient times, when these dogs were guardians and companions for shepherds and for Nepalese monasteries. As nomadic herding has declined, so have its numbers, though breeders and enthusiasts are working to preserve it. An organization called the International Kennel Club recognises it under the name Bhote Kukur.
The Himalayan Sheepdog is closely related to the slightly larger Tibetan Mastiff and is said to be more protective against people. Local types exist. The one from the Kumaon hills, called the Cypro Kukur or Kumaon Mastiff, is brindle, rich golden brown or black. The one from Chamba is smaller and looks like a large, long-haired black Labrador Retriever. Bhutan has a larger variant known as the Bhutia Sheepdog.
In 2005 the breed was one of four shown on a set of Indian postage stamps celebrating the country’s dogs. A stray Himalayan Sheepdog mix that followed climbers to the 7,129 m summit of Baruntse reached the highest altitude known for a dog.
Appearance
The dog typically stands 51–75 cm, occasionally up to 76 cm, and weighs 23–41 kg. It is adapted to high altitude, with a thick, harsh double coat. Most are black and tan or solid black, with some white on the toes, chest and neck. The ears are small and drooping, and the heavily plumed tail curls over the back. The breed has a distinctive deep bark.
Feral dogs
Feral Himalayan Sheepdogs compete with snow leopards for prey such as bharal, particularly in Gangotri National Park. The dogs are growing in number, often hunt in packs and also feed on human scraps, and this is putting pressure on the snow leopard, which is already classed as vulnerable.
Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.