Bakharwal

Also called Bakharwal Dog, Bakherwal, Kashmiri Sheepdog, Kashmiri Mastiff, Kashmiri Bakerwal Dog

Rare breedShort profile

From India: Ladakh and the Pir Panjal range of Jammu and Kashmir, also Himachal Pradesh.1

At a glance the quick version

Height61 to 76 cm1

Sizegiant

devoted flock guardian

brave and protective

hardy in mountain country

Coat and looks how to spot one

double coat

A big, powerful mountain guardian with a thick double coat suited to the cold Himalayan uplands.1

Coloursblack with white on toes and chestblack and tanredfawnpiedsablebrindle1

Personality what they are like

A dedicated guardian that watches over livestock and home with calm confidence.1

Company who they like around

Traditionally lives and works alongside herding families and their flocks.1

The story where it all began

For centuries nomadic herding communities of the western Himalaya, including the Bakarwal, Gaddi and Gujjar, have kept these dogs to guard sheep, goats and camps in the mountains. It may share ancestry with Tibetan Mastiff-type dogs and local Indian dogs.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It takes its name from the Bakarwal, a nomadic herding people of Jammu and Kashmir.1
2
Females usually raise one litter a year of about three to four puppies.1
3
Besides guarding flocks it has also been used in police work in India.1

Recognised by the official bits

None: Not recognised by major kennel clubs; a working landrace of pastoral communities.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Bakharwal. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year

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Tibetan Mastiff

Himalayan Sheepdog

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Wikipedia: Bakharwal dog en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields (only accessible source)

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.