East German Shepherd vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison

East German Shepherd vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed ComparisonEast German Shepherd is originated from Germany but Bakharwal Dog is originated from India. East German Shepherd may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Bakharwal Dog. Both East German Shepherd and Bakharwal Dog are having almost same weight. Both East German Shepherd and Bakharwal Dog has almost same life span. East German Shepherd may have more litter size than Bakharwal Dog. East German Shepherd requires High maintenance. But Bakharwal Dog requires Moderate maintenance

History

east german shepherd - historyThe East German Shepherd is a line of the German Shepherd Dog breed. The German Shepherd Dog came about when the three types of “continental shepherd dogs” separated into the Dutch Shephers, German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd. In the 1800’s it was local shepherds who bred their dogs and selected the traits they needed in their geography. The result was dogs in various local areas who all could herd and guard flocks; who were intelligent, strong, fast and had a good sense of smell, but their appearance and skills varied from town to town. The changes in Germany from agriculture and sheep to industrial cities rendered the German Sheep Dog obsolete. But was it really? Many felt the dog could be a good working dog in the cities as well but needed some refinement in the breed according to Max von Stephanite. At a dog show in 1899, he found what he wanted – the perfect working dog.Stephanitz bought the dog and founded the Society for the German Shepherd. (Verein fur Deutsch Schaferhunde) Stephanitz is considered the developer of the German Shepherd Dog.

The East German Shepherd is a line of the same breed. There are several different lines of the German Shepherd Dog, with slight difference for the reason they were bred. For instance, the German Shepherd Dog is bred for looks while the East German Shepherd is bred to be a working dog. Often called a DDR German Shepherd, they came about from the Deutsche Democratic Republic or the Republic of East Germany. For about 40 years in East Germany these dogs were bred only within the DDR bloodline.

The East German Shepherd is stronger, heavier boned, leaner, more muscular and solid. During the time of the Berlin Wall, from 1961-1989, there were few German Shepherds for breeding stock on either side of the wall, but especially in the East. There the government controlled the development of the breed. They developed a separate registry for the DDR – East German Shepherd. With such strict standards for a perfect working dog and such little breeding stock, the only dogs allowed to reproduce were the ones that passed a rigorous test and were deemed perfect working dogs.

In West Germany they continued to breed for appearance. The West German Shepherd are the most popular ones and are usually simply called German Shepherds. The show dogs of today and the American line came from the West.

Preserving the East German Shepherd today is important and difficult. It means preserving not improving. The Strength of the East German Shepherd is their body line and style, Today’s breeder must maintain this while making sure there is enough diversity in the gene pool to keep the line healthy without losing its body style and working temperament. It is important that the East German Shepherd have a straight back rather than the sloping one of the German Shepherd Dog or the American lines of the GSD. The working dog is also more aggressive and has a much higher work drive than any of the other German Shepherd Dogs lines.

bakharwal dog - historyThe precise origin of the large Bakharwal Dog is undocumented. It is believed the breed originated from the Tibetan Mastiff, the Molosser, the Tuvan Sheepdog and others. It is an ancient working breed where it has been bred for many centuries by the Bakarwal and Guijar tribes. The dog is thought to be the rarest of all the ancient herding breeds.

The Bakharwal is an indigenous breed of Himalayan origin, being bred exclusively by those wanting a strong, brave dog to protect their livestock. Today Jammu and Kashmir in North India is predominantly the stronghold of this breed.

The Bakharwal dog today as we know it is a muscular dog, tall and powerful and with a thick, fluffy coat. He has remained a livestock guardian or herding dog for the people occupying the Pir Panjal mountain ranges for centuries.

Unfortunately the breed’s rarity as well as his lack of recognition has put this attractive dog in danger of becoming extinct, and in fact steps have been taken to have the dog listed as an endangered species. The females only produce small litters of between 1 to 3 puppies. There are currently no breeding clubs for the Bakharwal Dog and the other sad aspect is that the breed isn’t recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Molosser dogs
Origin:
Germany
India
Height Male:
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
61 - 76 cm
24 - 30 inches
Height Female:
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
61 - 76 cm
24 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
29 - 40 kg
63 - 89 pounds
29 - 36 kg
63 - 80 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 33 kg
50 - 73 pounds
29 - 36 kg
63 - 80 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 9
1 - 3
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
East German Shepherd Dog, DDR, EGSD
Kashmir Mastiff, Kashmir Sheepdog, Bakarwal Mastiff
Colors Available:
grey with darker shading, brown and yellow to light grey markings; single-coloured black, are black with reddish-brown, black saddle and mask
cream, tan, white, black and piebald.
Coat:
double, dense
medium length and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Independent, Loving, Protective, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

east german shepherd puppy - descriptionWhat are the differences between the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) and the East German Shepherd? The East German Shepherd has a straight back and a larger bone structure. He has a very large and block shaped head with a lean, athletic build. His lips are taunt and dark, and his nose must be black. He has a scissor bite and strong teeth. His eyes are medium sized almonds that are slanted slightly. The eyes are also very dark. His ears are erect and not too big. His legs, haunches and feet must all be coordinated so that he trots rather than runs.

bakharwal dog puppy - descriptionThis dog is large, heavily boned, muscular and with a deep chest. They’ve got large heads and a thick, muscular neck. The nose is black, the almond-shaped brown or amber eyes gentle while the ears are medium sized and drooping. The tail is long and bushy and mostly curls over the back of the dog. Their thick coats are available in a number of colours such as cream, tan, white, black and piebald.

The Kashmiri Sheepdog has long legs and although a number of sizes exist, the regular height of the dog is roughly 61 to 76 cm.

Excellent Guard Dog

Known also by several other names such as the Kashmir Mastiff, Kashmir Sheepdog or Bakarwal Mastiff, this dog is well known for his ferociousness, and guarding his human family is taken seriously. His courage knows know limits and he is both protector and friend, a loyal and devoted companion.

Devoted to his Human Family

He forms a strong bond with his human family and is good natured with well behaved children who have been taught to treat animals with kindness. Caution should always be practised with small children as this is a large dog. He is playful, social and adaptable with his human family but won’t take kindly to other pets. Socialization and training are important for this strong-willed dog.

Characteristics

east german shepherd dog - characteristicsThe East German Shepherd is a well- balanced dog. He is sure of himself, friendly, loyal and wants to please his owner. He is intelligent, resilient and attentive. He will make a great family pet. He is aggressive with a high prey drive but that can be tempered with good socialization and training. He is easy to train.

bakharwal dog dog - characteristicsBred exclusively as a livestock guardian dog, the large Bakharwal is a steadfast, loving, brave guardian. He is good with people of all ages and will protect his human family with his life.

To this day the breed has a strong herding and guarding instinct, and because he is a large breed with herding instincts, he won’t be suited to apartment living. He needs a good sized garden to run in and will require exercising to stave off frustration and boredom.

Look after your Bakharwal well, especially as there aren’t many of them left. Loved, nourished and cared for, he’s just waiting to make you part of his ‘flock’ and in exchange he’ll be your loyal and devoted friend who will protect you with his life.

Health Problems

east german shepherd puppies - health problemsBecause the East German Shepherd line has been isolated behind the Berlin Wall, there are not many genetic health issues in the line. Most importantly the East German Shepherd shows no hip dysplasia which plagues most GSD. There are a couple of situations to look out for. They are:

  • Bloat

A life threatening issue that must be addressed immediately for fear of death. Bloat is caused when a larger dog with a deep chest eats too large a meal before or after strenuous exercise, eats too fast, or drinks too much water. The stomach distends with air or gas and twists. Sometimes it is completely inverted. Get help fast or your dog will die.

Vaccinations

bakharwal dog puppies - health problemsYour Bakharwal puppy will need to see the vet for a complete check up and to receive his puppy vaccinations. These innoculations immunize your puppy from hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.

As he grows older, you’ll need to keep his teeth free from dental plaque by using a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Your Bakharwal dog is generally a health breed but keep an eye on

Ticks and fleas – speak to your vet about the most effective way to treat these parasites. heartworm – this is important if your dog is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations are potentially deadly. spaying and neutering is important at 6 months of age to protect your pet from unwanted puppies and disease.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

east german shepherd dogs - caringBecause these dogs were bred to work you need to feed them a high quality dry food, made for working dogs. It needs to have a good amount of calcium and glucosamine. Feed about 3-4 cups per day divided into 2 feeding times.

Health issues

In addition to bloat as mentioned above, the East German Shepherd can also have both air born, and food born allergies. These are easily treated by your veterinarian.

Exercise and games

The East German Shepherd is a high energy, high activity dog so you have some for him. He is agile and athletic. He needs serious exercise and a job is essential. If you can’t give an East German Shepherd a job, then don’t get this dog. He loves tracking and has a high prey drive. Keep him trained, challenged and working. Try tracking and herding trials, obedience, agility, fly ball and bar hunt.

Grooming the Dense Coat

bakharwal dog dogs - caringThe coat of the Bakharwal Dog is thick, flat and of medium length and he is a relatively low maintenance dog. Brushing the dog’s coat twice a week will be adequate to remove loose hairs, although professional grooming can be a good thing as the density of the coat makes trimming the coat a necessity. The eyes, ears, teeth, and nails of the Bakharwal Dog should also be examined regularly just to ensure no health problems develop.

Feeding

Bakharwal puppies from 8 to 12 weeks will require meals 4x a day. From 6 months on he can start having 2 meals a day. Top-quality dry- or wet dogfoods will guarantees balanced nutrition, and speaking to your veterinarian will give you an idea of what is best for your canine friend. To ensure your dog doesn’t suffer with a dry, scratchy skin, remember to include raw- and cook meat into his food. Protein is an essential ingredient for the health of your dog. Always ensure clean, cool water is available and wash food- and water bowls regularly.

Exercise to Prevent Boredom and Weight Gain

Make sure your Bakharwal Dog gets plenty of exercise every day to maintain good health. Take him for walks to give him new sounds, smells and sights.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Old English Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Rough Collie vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. East German Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. East German Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. East German Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  6. East German Shepherd vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  7. East German Shepherd vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  8. East German Shepherd vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  9. Saarlooswolfhond vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Estrela Mountain Dog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Huntaway vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  13. South Russian Ovcharka vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  14. Mioritic Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Labradoodle vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Mixed vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. German Shorthaired Pointer vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Great Pyrenees vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  20. Presa Canario vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Labrador Husky vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Perro de Presa Canario vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Irish Setter vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Cane Corso vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Perro de Presa Canario vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Caucasian Shepherd vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Dogo Guatemalteco vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Molossus vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Danish Broholmer vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Sage Koochee vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Cabecudo Boiadeiro vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Canis Panther vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Cao de Castro Laboreiro vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Cao de Fila da Terceira vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Perro Cimarron vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Perro de Toro vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Gran Mastin de Borinquen vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Korean Mastiff vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Samoyed vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Labradoodle vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Alaskan Malamute vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Mixed vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Bullmastiff vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds