Azerbaijan wolfhound (gurdbasar)
Contents
Characteristics of Azerbaijan wolfhound (gurdbasar)
| Country of origin | Azerbaijan |
| The size | Very large |
| Growth | 66–80 cm |
| Weight | 45–60 kg |
| Age | 12–15 years old |
| FCI breed group | not recognized by the FCI |
Brief information
- hardy;
- Powerful;
- prone to dominance;
- Courageous.
Origin story
Once upon a time, people who lived on the territory of modern Azerbaijan bred a breed of dogs ideal for guarding and grazing herds, as well as for dog fights. It is assumed that this was about three thousand years ago. Due to the remoteness of pastures, Azerbaijani wolfhounds did not mix with other breeds. Much later, during the Soviet era, these dogs were included in cynological reference books as the Azerbaijani Steppe Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Joseph Stalin, who issued the Decree “On the Development of Domestic Dog Breeding” in 1933, almost sentenced the breed to destruction – because dogs began to be actively exported from Azerbaijan to be bred on their basis Moscow watchdogs.
Fortunately, there are enthusiasts who have preserved these beautiful animals, and now the number of gurdbasars is slowly growing.
Description
Large, powerful dog, similar in appearance to alabai. But in gurdbasars, wool is allowed and short, and of medium length, and quite long – up to 10-12 cm. Such individuals resemble caucasian shepherd dogs. And this is not surprising – they probably had very distant common ancestors.
Color can be any, the most common is red in different shades. But there are also spotted, and brindle, and black, and white dogs. The ears are usually docked, sometimes the tails are also docked.
Character
Dogs recognize their master and his family, they are distrustful of strangers. Protective qualities are strongly expressed, which makes the gurdbasar dangerous for outsiders. Due to the fact that for centuries the owners of Azerbaijani wolfhounds, who used them for grazing and guarding herds, as well as for dog fights, believed that the strongest should survive from the litter of puppies, such qualities as courage, endurance, moderate aggression, the ability to quickly and correctly assess the situation and respond appropriately.
Azerbaijan wolfhound (gurdbasar) Care
Gurdbasars are unpretentious and hardy. For the pet to have well-groomed appearance, it needs to be taught from puppyhood to combing out with a stiff brush and for scheduled inspections ears and eye.
Conditions of detention
An aviary dog. Gurdbasars need a fairly large space for walking. In principle, the animal may well live in the open, but it is still better to provide him with shelter from the weather.
Prices
It is very difficult to buy a puppy from proven aboriginal parents. The price of such a dog, in the genes of which health, intelligence, endurance, courage, fighting qualities have been fixed by generations of natural selection, can reach several thousand dollars.
Azerbaijan wolfhound (gurdbasar) – Video
