People who stand to lose something precious to them tend to gravitate towards other people vulnerable to the same loss, and thus it is that we share information of breeds from around the world. Whether it be from poor legislation, ulterior motives, ignorance, or something else, too many purebred dogs around the world are at risk, and this is not hyperbole. When we post about breeds from other countries, it’s done with the sentiment that we are global partners in trying to preserve purebred dogs.

To that end, meet the Bakharwal, an ancient breed originating in the Himalayans. Its longevity is the reason the breed has been known by many names throughout its long history, monikers that include the Kashmir Mastiff, the Gujjar Dog, the Kashmiri Bakarwal Dog, the Kashmir Sheepdog, the Bakarwal Mastiff, and the Gujjar Wathdog.  This is a livestock guardian dog that has performed its duties as protector of sheep and goats in the rugged and challenging terrain of mountains that include some of the planet’s highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest.

In 2009, a survey on the breed conducted by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation in Kashmir found that only a few hundred Bakharwal remained in existence. Part of the problem is that the breed, especially its males, is popular in big cities, and this impacts breeding when the best sires are sold off to urban dwellers with no interest in perpetuating the breed. Add to this the fact that females are slow to breed, and have small sized litters when they do whelp, and it spells trouble for the future of a breed.

The Bakharwal is a robust, audacious, resilient and enduring mountain dog that’s frequently described as “agile and fleet-footed.” It takes its job quite seriously, exhaustively shielding the animals in its care at whatever cost. Why this breed hasn’t been included in the list of LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs) is a disservice to it, and the ranchers who may benefit from the breed even as they help preserve it. An appeal was made to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change to protect them. The National Secretary of the Foundation, Javaid Rahi was quoted as saying, “The Bakerwali Dog is one of the oldest breeds and urgent steps are needed to protect it.”

The Gujjar and Bakharwal communities requested that the Bakharwal Dog be listed as an endangered species, but we’ve not been able to determine the results of this request.

Image found on Pinterest and happily credit upon receipt of information