I cani Pshdar, or Kurdish Mastiffs, are ancient guard dogs native to Kurdistan, a mountainous region in the Middle East (Mesopotamia). This dog is an example of the many extremely localized endemic breeds and varieties in the world.
This very ancient and fascinating breed with characteristics reminiscent of lions is often employed as a protector of livestock against predators and personal protection.
Let’s get to know Pshdar dogs more closely!
Pshdar dogs: origin and history
These large molossers have a fairly ancient history. They are found in Iran, western Azerbaijan and some areas of Iraqi Kurdistan from thousands of years.
Their name is almost certainly related to the Pshdar region of Iraqi Kurdistan and, as with other Middle Eastern breeds and varieties of dogs, they have undergone a almost natural selection and with little human intervention, given the extreme isolation with other types of dogs.
Kurdish dogs were selected and employed as guard dogs, mainly for defend livestock by massive predators like lions.
Curiosities about the Kurdish Mastiff
The Kurdish Mastiff is known as the largest, strongest and most protective dog breed and its ability to survive in some of the toughest conditions is amazing.
Because of their physical similarities, Pshdar dogs have been compared to the Kangal Coban Köpegi and the Akbash.
The Kurdish dog is known with various names:
- pejdar
- Peshdar
- Pshdar
- Kurdish Mastiff
- Kurdish Shepherd
- Assyrian shepherd
Temperament of Pshdar Dogs
Pshdar dogs are very large animals, courageous, strong and wary of strangers. At the same time they are intelligent, instinctive, kind and devoted to their owneron which they strongly depend.
This breed has been fighting wolves over the centuries. Therefore, she is used to attacking invaders to defend their herd, family and territory.
Pshdar dogs: physical characteristics
Pshdar dogs are specimens of impressive size. A dog of this breed reaches full physical maturity at around the age of two.
Weight and size
- Height of Kurdish dogs: in males from 70 to 90 cm and in females from 75 to 80 cm.
- Weight of the Kurdish Shepherd: in males from 80 to 90 kg and in females from 60 to 70 kg.
Morphology of Kurdish Mastiffs
Pshdar dogs have muscular limbs, large bones, short muzzle, strong jaws. The most evident characteristic of the dog is undoubtedly the presence of showy and thick loose skin foldswhich form a sort of mane around the head and under the throat.
This excess of skin is essential for the defense from predators: when a wolf or other predator bites thanks to the presence of this skin it does not affect muscles or internal organs but only the skin, thus doing less damage.
Their life expectancy is around 8-10 years, which can be reduced if these animals are used in warfare.
To conclude
Pshdar dogs have been selected animals for millennia and have benefited from such isolation as to make their breed intact.
Born and raised in the hostile environments of the Middle East, the charm and characteristics of these dogs lie in their origins and that is where they must stay.