| Himalayan sheepdog | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 A Himalayan Sheepdog | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Bhote Kukur, Himalayan Mastiff | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common nicknames | Bhotia[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | China,India andNepal | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||
TheHimalayan Sheepdog, (Nepali:भोटे कुकुर) known locally by various names including thebhotia,bhote kukur,bangara and sometimes called theHimalayan mastiff, is abreed oflivestock guardian dog from theHimalayas ofNepal.
Tracing back to ancient times, Himalayan sheepdogs were guardians and companion for shepherds as well as Nepalese monasteries.[2] Due to the decline in nomadic lifestyles, the population has also been in decline, though there are still dedicated breeders and enthusiasts working to preserve and promote the breed.[2][3] The breed is recognized by International Kennel Club under the name bhote kukur.[2]
Closely related to the slightly largerTibetan mastiff,[1][4] Himalayan sheepdogs are distinguished by being more protective against people.[5] There are subtypes of the breed found in theKumaon hills andChamba; the former, which is known as the cypro kukur or kumaon mastiff, is brindle, rich golden brown or black in colour, the latter is smaller than most of the breed and resemble a larger, longer-haired blackLabrador Retriever.[6][4]Bhutan is home to a larger variant of the Himalayan sheepdog, known there as the bhutia sheepdog.[1]
Himalayan sheepdogs are found in the Himalayas fromKashmir to easternNepal.[6][7][8][1][4] The breed is primarily used as a livestock guardian dog, protecting flocks ofyak andsheep from various predators, and as a propertyguardian dog; unusually for a livestock guardian, the breed is also used to assist with herding.[8][6][1][4] They may also be used to assist in hunting.[4] Himalayan Sheepdogs are especially adapted to high altitudes,[7] and the breed's double coat is typically harsh and thick and they are usually black and tan or solid black with some white markings on their toes, chest and neck. They have small drooped ears and a heavily plumed tail that is curled over their back.[4] The breed has a distinctive deep bark.[2]
Feral Himalayan sheepdogs compete withsnow leopards in the Himalayas, particularly inGangotri National Park, as both share prey including thebharal. This has threatening the food chain and the survival of snow leopards, which are already classified as vulnerable. The problem is worsened by the growing population of these dogs, many of which hunt in packs and often supplement their diet from human scraps, creating further ecological imbalances.[9]
In 2005 the Himalayan sheepdog was one of four dog breeds featured on a set ofpostage stamps released by the IndianMinistry of Communications and Information Technology to celebrate the country's canine heritage.[10]
A stray Himalayan sheepdog mix achieved the highest known altitude scaled by a dog after accompanied mountain climbers to the summit ofBaruntse at 7,129 metres (23,389 ft).[11][12]
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| Sri Lanka | ||