Also known as the Bhote Kukur, the Himalayan Sheepdog is an intelligent and protective breed. But how do you know whether you are ready to purchase a pet and if this breed is right for you? This information is absolutely necessary in making the decision to purchase a pet.
History
The exact origin of the Himalayan Sheepdog has not been well documented. Enthusiasts believe these dogs to be among the most ancient of all breeds from the region, though this has not been proven scientifically or otherwise.
Throughout its history, the Himalayan Sheepdog has been most commonly used for herding, driving, and guarding cattle from predators such as wolves, as a watch and guard dog, and for hunting large game, proving its superior abilities to work in the harshest of terrain while providing protection and companionship.
Today, while the Himalayan Sheepdog has attained a regional popularity as both a working and companion dog, the breed remains rather rare outside of India and Nepal.
Personality Traits
Best known for its fearless and dominant nature, the Himalayan Sheepdog is willing to do anything necessary in order to protect its owner and territory. These dogs thrive on strong and dependable relationships with humans, and are known to become attached to one person more so than several people. This breed is very intelligent, yet stubborn and independent, creating difficulty in training. As a pet, the Himalayan Sheepdog is loyal, loving, and affectionate. These dogs are not suited for full-time indoor or apartment living, as they enjoy spending time outdoors, taking long walks, and playing games such as fetch and tug-of-war.
Train-ability
Due to its stubborn and independent attitude, the Himalayan Sheepdog can prove challenging to train. This breed is known for being especially difficult to housebreak and growing bored with repetitive exercises and tasks.
Establishing immediate dominance, trust, and respect is key to successfully training the Himalayan Sheepdog. These dogs require an experienced, confident, and strong handler with a stern and serious approach to repetitive exercises and tasks.
Benefits and Disadvantages of the Breed
There are many benefits to owning a Himalayan Sheepdog. When properly socialized from a young age, these dogs get along well with small children, known for their gentle and caring approach. This breed is alert, territorial, and dominant, making an incredible watch and guard dog by announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors, and serving as a deterrent to would-be intruders. The Himalayan Sheepdog is loyal, loving, and affectionate, making an excellent working dog, family pet, and companion alike.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning a Himalayan Sheepdog. This athletic breed requires large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play outdoors, especially when under the age of two years. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Himalayan Sheepdog not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.
The Himalayan Sheepdog has a strong instinct to hunt and will occasionally indulge in a good chase. When on the run, these large dogs are surprisingly quick, and may pose a threat to other animals, neighborhood pets, and small woodland creatures. These dogs must be leashed or properly secured at all times when outdoors.
This breed is not recommended for households with other pets. Even with proper socialization, the Himalayan Sheepdog is known to show excessive aggression, jealousy, and dominance towards other pets.
As previously mentioned, this breed remains rather rare outside of India and Nepal, and can prove difficult to obtain. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.
Common Health Concerns
While the Himalayan Sheepdog is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation – dislocation of the knee, arthritis, glaucoma, distichiasis – ingrown eye lashes, obesity, and bloat.
Now that you know all about the breed, do you think you are ready to own a Himalayan Sheepdog? Remember, purchasing a pet is a big decision and should be discussed thoroughly and seriously with your entire family.
Sources:
http://www.heydogs.com/h/himalayan-sheepdog.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/himalayan_sheepdog
