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{{More citations needed|date=February 2024}}{{Short description|Dogbreed in India's Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Infobox Dogbreed
| name  = Bakharwal Dog
| image = Bakarwal.jpg
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = female Bakharwal 
| altname = Bakherwal, Bakhrawal Mastiff, Kashmiri Sheepdog, Kashmiri Bakerwal Dog, Kashmiri Mastiff
| country = Indian subcontinent (Kashmir)
| notrecognised = true
<!-----Traits----->
| weight       = {{cvt|70|–|90|kg|lb}}
| maleweight   = 
| femaleweight = 
| height       = 
| maleheight   = {{cvt|61|–|76|cm}}
| femaleheight = {{cvt|61|–|76|cm}}
| coat         = [[Coat (dog)|Double coat]]
| colour       = Black and tan, piebald, tri-colour
| litter_size  = 1{{ndash}}3
| life_span    = 6{{ndash}}12
}}<!-- End Infobox -->

The '''Bakharwal dog''' is a [[livestock guardian dog]] found in northern [[India]] including Jammu and Kashmir. It is an ancient [[working dog|working]] [[Kashmiri dog breeds|Kashmiri dog breed]] found in [[Ladakh]] and across the [[Pir Panjal Range]] of Jammu and Kashmir of India and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. 

It has been bred by the [[Gaddis]], [[Jats]], [[Gujjar]] and [[Bakerwal]] castes, as well as other local people of Jammu and Kashmir and [[Himachal Pradesh]], for the purpose of guarding their flocks of goats, sheep and cattle, along with their houses, from centuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bakharwal Training |url=https://precisionk9work.com/by-breed/austin-bakharwal-training/ |publisher=Precision K9 Work |access-date=20 March 2019 |language=en |quote=The Bakharwal dog probably originated in Ladakh and was bred in the Pir Panjal Mountains, India, and it has been known as a working breed.}}</ref> 

While the Bakharwal Dog is mainly found in Jammu and Kashmir region, India. A recent study says that this breed is on the verge of extinction and has appealed to include this animal in the [[endangered species]] category by local communities. Of late, there were many cases when this mountain breed of dog contracted [[rabies]] or was shot by separatist militants.<ref name="Bukhari2011">{{cite web |last1=Bukhari |first1=Shujaat |title=Fear of Bakerwali dog going extinct |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fear-of-bakerwali-dog-going-extinct/article2630924.ece |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 March 2019 |language=en |date=16 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="Paviter2018">{{cite web |title=The last of Bakharwal dogs |url=http://www.merinews.com/article/the-last-of-bakharwal-dogs/132804.shtml |publisher=Merinews |access-date=20 March 2019 |language=en |date=20 April 2018 |quote=But, since 1990 a steep decline in number of Bakharwal shepherded dogs was found as hundreds of dogs were killed during insurgency in the higher regions of the state. |archive-date=8 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508044920/http://www.merinews.com/article/the-last-of-bakharwal-dogs/132804.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Image of bakarwal dog.jpg|thumb|bakarwal dog]]
The origin of the Bakharwal Dog lies in [[Ladakh]], [[northern India]], and found in the states of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref name=smartcanine>{{cite web |title=Bakharwal Dog: Stubborn, Fierce, and Fluffy – Complete Guide to the Himalayan Mastiff |url=https://thesmartcanine.com/dog-breeds/bakharwal-dog/ |publisher=The Smart Canine |access-date=20 March 2019 |language=en|quote=The Bakharwal dog is one of the most fascinating dog breeds originating from Northern India.}}</ref> 

The Bakharwal Dog may be descended from crossbreeding the [[Tibetan Mastiff]] with the [[Indian pariah dog]], though other scholars state that the Bakharwal Dog is the "oldest Indian Dog which since centuries has been surviving with the Kashmiri nomads."{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

The Bakharwal Dog has been targeted by [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|separatist militants]] in the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, who shot the dogs to prevent them from alerting people of their intrusion.<ref name="Paviter2018"/>{{dead|date=January 2024}} 

These separatist militants prevented herdsmen from going to higher reaches, which caused many Bakharwal Dogs to catch disease and die.{{facts|date=December 2023}}

==General appearance==
[[File:Bakharwal.jpg|thumb]]
Bakarwal is divided into two categories, general Bakarwal and Ladakhi Bakarwal. Bakarwal is a powerful, heavy bone, medium to large size dog. It is an agile and a sturdy breed, a typical mountain dog with a furry coat and plumy tail that gives it a majestic look. It looks like a medium version of [[Tibetan Mastiff]]. 

It is mostly black, with white fur at the toes and chest. The dog has a vegetarian appetite that mainly includes bread made of rice chaff, maize and milk. Common colours are black and tan, red, fawn, pied, sable, white and brindle.

Females of the particular breed give birth to a single litter once a year, with the average size being three to four puppies.<ref name=smartcanine/>

==Utilisation==
The Bakharwal Dog, along with the [[Gaddi Kutta]], is particularly used for guarding sheep, protecting farms and homes in [[Himachal Pradesh]] as well as in Jammu and Kashmir. It is also used by the [[Indian Police Service|Indian Police]] in order to capture militants across the nation.

Bakharwal Dogs, the mountain dogs are an ancient breed of working dogs found in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Scientists believe that these may be amongst the oldest herding dogs having origins in Central Asia. They are bred by nomadic tribes as a livestock guardian dog and settlement protector.

==See also==
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]
* [[List of dog breeds from India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian dogs}}
{{Livestock guardians}}

[[Category:Dog breeds originating in India]]
[[Category:Livestock guardian dogs]]