Scoland Terrier vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison

The 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.

Not much is known about the Scoland Terrier. It is not a purebred but rather a crossbreed developed by crossing the Scottish Terrier with the Westland Terrier. To understand these mixed breeds, look to the original breeds for any combination of the characteristics of the breeds. The offspring of this crossing is not a 50-50 split of the original breeds looks or temperament.

Because the Scoland Terrier is a mix between the Scottie and the Westie he has all the characteristics of a typical terrier perhaps even twice as much. With both parents being terriers, you can expect your Scoland to act like a short legged terrier. These dogs are known for their courage and tenacity. Today these terriers are family companions. Most terriers today come from a pool of ancestral dog in the 19th century in Europe. This information was gleaned from a genetic analysis done in 2006.

The Scoland Terrier, being a hybrid, is not acknowledged by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC). It is acknowledged by the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and Designer Breed Registry (DBR).

This 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.

Being a hybrid, the Scoland Terrier will not always look alike and could look like a Scottie, a Westie or a combination of the two. Most breeders of this designer dog say it usually has a body like the Scottie and a round head like the Westie. They are more often black with white markings, but they can often be wheaten as well. With round dark eyes, a scissors bite and black nose, her face is unique. The breed has erect and small, triangular ears and a medium fluffy tale. The coat is hard and wiry, with a dense soft undercoat.

Bred 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.

1.Children friendliness - they can be very good with children and children can help them get their exercise.

2.Special talents – digging and going to ground after rodents.

3.Adaptability - yes but she is adept at digging and must have a safe enclosure.

4.Learning ability – is high but she can be very stubborn.

Vaccinations

Your 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.

This hybrid dog can inherit any of the issues faced by its two parent breeds. For the Scoland Terrier this can include:

• Seborrhea – Skin disease that can cause dogs to scratch until bleeding and/or infected.

• Von Willebrand’s Disease – hereditary blood clotting disorder.
• Keratoconjuncticitis Sicca – the is dry eye.

• Carniomandibular Osteopathy -called lion’s jaw this is a developmental disease that causes extensive changes in the bones of the mandible and skull.

• Deafness

• Pulmonic Stenosis – when the blood flowing from the heart’s right ventricul to the pulmonary artery is blocked.

• Cataracts – can lead to blindness.
• Legg-Calve Perthes Disease – can cause limping and lead to lameness.

• PPM or Persistent Pupillary Membranes - causes visual impairment when the membranes do not dissolve after birth.

• Chronic Hepatitis – disease of the liver that can eventually cause major damage.

Grooming the Dense Coat

The 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.

1.Feeding the puppy - Give a high quality puppy dog food designed for terriers or active medium sized dogs. Give ¾ of a cup over 3 meals a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Give a high quality adult dog food designed for terriers or active medium sized dogs. Give one cup over two meals a day.

3.Points for Good Health - Stamina

4. Games and Exercises – The Scoland Terrier is a very active dog and needs daily exercise, He need time to play, run, and be stimulated by games. She would be very good at flyball, Frisbee, fetch, agility, barn hunt, and obedience. He needs at least 2 hours of play and exercise everyday.