Kurdish Mastiff

The Kurdish Mastiff — the Pshdar — is a large flock guardian of the Kurdish highlands, from the border country of Iraq and Iran.

History

It has guarded sheep and goats in the Zagros mountains for centuries and belongs to the same broad family as the Sarabi and the other Middle Eastern guardians. It is named for the Pshdar region of Iraqi Kurdistan, and it is a landrace kept by herding families rather than a registered breed.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, deliberate and highly territorial, deeply attached to its flock and household and openly suspicious of everything else.

Care and training

It needs space, secure boundaries, early socialising and an experienced owner. Exercise needs are steady rather than intense. The coat sheds heavily.

Health

Known concerns are those of very large guardian breeds: hip dysplasia and bloat. These are patterns for the type rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.