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Bangara Mastiff |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Himalayas | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Tibetan Bangara
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| The Bangara Mastiff is a local breed named after the Bangar district of Tehri Garhwal, which is used to protect yak and sheep herds from attack by wild animals. It is a close relative of the Tibetan Mastiff, specially developed by the inhabitants of Tehri Garhwal (a mountainous region of the former Punjab mountain states in northwest India) to control their livestock in the pastures by day and, at night, protect the animals from attacks by large predators. For this role, a powerful and courageous breed was needed, and the Bangara Mastiff is such a dog, always ready to risk its life in defense of its livestock. The usual coloring is black and tan, but lighter coats also appear. Males measure up to 64 cm in height and have a massive, soft muzzle, a compact body and a heavily feathered tail that is curled on one side. Local people don't seem to have called this dog by any particular breed name. He received his official Bangara Mastiff title from Indian dog expert Major W.V. Soman in 1963. When he retired from the army, he was invited to act as a judge at a dog show in Bombay and was dismayed to find that all the animals on display were imported breeds and there wasn't a single native dog to be seen. He set about correcting this by publishing a detailed list of Indian breeds, stating: "My work will only be accomplished if we see pedigree dogs of Indian origin at dog shows in India". When a local breed lacked a specific title, he created one, as with this distinctive mastiff from Bangar. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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