Bankhar Dog: Saving Mongolia's Ancient Herding Tradition

The Bankhar Dog is an incredible breed that's been a vital part of Mongolian herding traditions for centuries.

These dogs were originally bred to protect livestock from predators, and their impressive size and strength make them well-suited for this task.

In fact, the Bankhar Dog can weigh up to 100 pounds and reach heights of 30 inches, making them a formidable presence on the Mongolian steppes.

Their thick coats also help them withstand the harsh winters of the region, where temperatures can drop as low as -40°C.

Bankhar dogs are a large and formidable breed, weighing between 50-60 kilograms and standing up to 75 centimeters tall. They have a short or long coat in various colors, including red, black, and black and tan.

Their distinct markings, such as darker dogs with light spots above the eyes, are preferred and known as Mongolian Four Eye Dogs. These markings help distinguish them from wolves in low light conditions.

Bankhar dogs are athletic, fast, cheerful, energetic, courageous, and tireless, making them a joy to be around. They are also surprisingly long-lived, averaging 15-18 years.

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The Bankhar dog is a large and formidable breed, weighing between 50-60 kilograms and standing up to 75 centimeters tall.

They come in a variety of coat colors, including red, black, and black and tan, with darker dogs featuring light spots above their eyes being preferred in Mongolian legend.

These distinctive markings help to distinguish Bankhar dogs from wolves in low light conditions, a trait that's been passed down through Mongolian tradition.

Bankhar dogs are known for their athletic build, speed, and energy, making them a joy to watch and interact with.

Despite their size, they have relatively low calorie needs, which is a bonus for owners who want to keep their pets healthy and happy.

Bankhar dogs are also known for their long lifespan, averaging 15-18 years, and are prone to few health issues, with hip dysplasia and joint problems being rare occurrences.

Their coat can be either short or long, and in the winter, it's very full and long, with a heavy undercoat to keep them warm in the freezing Mongolian temperatures.

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The Bankhar has a tragic history. During the Communist era of Mongolia, they were let loose or exterminated when nomads were forcibly relocated.

Many Bankhar dogs were killed to feed the growing dog coat industry, with their pelts becoming fashionable for stylish Russian coats. The largest dogs were targeted for their valuable fur.

The Soviet-based Communist education system led to a loss of knowledge on how to breed, train, and employ livestock protection dogs. This lack of knowledge has had a lasting impact on the breed.

Interbreeding with the Tibetan Mastiff is a current danger to the Bankhar population. Mastiffs are genetically distinct from Bankhar and are not working dogs, which degrades the quality of the working dog genes of Bankhar.

The Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project has identified pockets of true Bankhar dogs using DNA testing and isolated them for breeding the next generation of genuine working Bankhar guardian dogs.

Livestock protection dogs, like the Bankhar, have an independent nature and tend to think for themselves. They are very loyal to their charges and protect them with their lives.

These dogs will attack predators without hesitation if the predator doesn't back down or leave the area immediately. They don't tend to chase predators for vast distances, but will defend their herd with all their might.

Bankhar are not very aggressive toward people unless raised to be so. Once introduced, a working Bankhar will typically ignore a human and return to its protection job.

Raised well and socialized with people, Bankhar are like any other pet dog, trustworthy and part of the community. They will not let people approach their charges if they are unaccompanied by a human the dog trusts.

The Bankhar Dog is native to Mongolia, a vast and rugged country in East Asia.

Mongolia's harsh climate and geography have shaped the Bankhar Dog's evolution over time.

The Bankhar Dog is well-suited to the country's arid steppes and mountainous regions, where it has been used for centuries as a guardian and herder.

The Bankhar is being used to protect herds in Mongolia, specifically in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Hustai National Park, and South Gobi.

The dogs are bred at a facility located about 100 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar and are raised with sheep from birth.

Each Bankhar can protect about 50 livestock animals, making them a valuable asset for nomadic herders.

The MBDP's goal is to provide each herder with enough Bankhars to guard their entire flock.

The Bankhar is not suited for life in a typical suburban home, as they are highly active and dig frequently.

Mongolia is a vast and remote country with a harsh environment and isolated nomadic lifestyle. This unique setting has led to the development of the Bankhar, a traditional Mongolian herding dog.

The Bankhar is a large and powerful dog, standing 26 to 33 inches tall and weighing 80 to 125 pounds. They have a distinctive appearance, with a black coat and orange spots above the eyes, although they may also be golden-brown, white, or black with a silver or white patch on the chest.

The Bankhar is a landrace dog, meaning their traits were formed by the environment and lifestyle of Mongolian pastures rather than human manipulation. This makes them genetically diverse and more adapted to their surroundings.

Mongolian herders have traditionally used Bankhars to protect their flocks, and the breed is still used today in some remote areas of the country. The Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project (MBDP) is working to revive the breed and provide herders with a non-lethal alternative for protecting their herds.

The MBDP has placed about 20 puppies and dogs with nomadic herders in three locations: Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Hustai National Park, and South Gobi. The goal is to provide each herder with enough dogs to guard an entire flock.

The Bankhar is a highly alert and agile dog, able to move quickly if danger threatens. They are also laid-back while overseeing their flocks, making them well-suited to their role as livestock guardian dogs.