MyDogBreeds
Brittany is originated from France but Bakharwal Dog is originated from India. Brittany may grow 24 cm / 9 inches shorter than Bakharwal Dog. Brittany may weigh 16 kg / 35 pounds lesser than Bakharwal Dog. Both Brittany and Bakharwal Dog has almost same life span. Brittany may have more litter size than Bakharwal Dog. Brittany requires Low maintenance. But Bakharwal Dog requires Moderate maintenance
One of the most intense bird dog breeds in existence is the Brittany, bred for hunt. The breed used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, but since the breed is closer to a setter or pointer, that moniker has been dropped. The Brittany is named for the French Province in which they were originally developed. Sometime from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the breed was developed. Images of a very similar dog can be found on 17th century paintings and tapestries. However, the first written description comes from 1850 by a Reverend Davies, describing a hunting episode. The breed was recognized officially in the early part of the 20th century and made a splash at the 1900 Paris Dog Show.
The first official standards were written in about 1907 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.The Brittany is expected to point to and then retrieve birds and other small ground game. Because the Brittany both points and retrieves they are known in the U.K. as a Hunt, Point and Retrieve breed or an HPR, and they have more Dual Champions than the rest of the AKC Sporting group.
There are actually two types of Brittanys in the minds of many breeders. There is the “French” Brittany and the “American” Brittany. When the breed arrived in the United States in 1931 they became immensely popular in a short period of time. In 1942 American Breeders began the American Brittany Club, rewriting the French standard to fit the dog they knew. Today there are definitely difference between the two sub-sets that can easily be seen. The French dog is smaller than the American dog. The American dog is a runner pacing ahead of the hunter while the French dog works more closely with their human companions. Another visible difference is that the French accept black spotted Brittanys, while in the United States a black spotted coat is considered a fault. Both sub-sets are known for their willingness to follow human directions, their eagerness for the hunt, and their agility and speed.
Unfortunately, the European wars took their toll on this breed as they did on many others. Following the second World War, their numbers in Europe were drastically reduced. The French had stop breeding them altogether during the war. It was in this depleted gene pool that the French agreed to accept the black spotted Brittany. Along with the U.S., Canada also does not recognize the black spotted Brittany.
The precise origin of the large Bakharwal Dog is undocumented. It is believed the breed originated from the Tibetan Mastiff, the Molosser, the Tuvan Sheepdog and others. It is an ancient working breed where it has been bred for many centuries by the Bakarwal and Guijar tribes. The dog is thought to be the rarest of all the ancient herding breeds.
The Bakharwal is an indigenous breed of Himalayan origin, being bred exclusively by those wanting a strong, brave dog to protect their livestock. Today Jammu and Kashmir in North India is predominantly the stronghold of this breed.
The Bakharwal dog today as we know it is a muscular dog, tall and powerful and with a thick, fluffy coat. He has remained a livestock guardian or herding dog for the people occupying the Pir Panjal mountain ranges for centuries.
Unfortunately the breed’s rarity as well as his lack of recognition has put this attractive dog in danger of becoming extinct, and in fact steps have been taken to have the dog listed as an endangered species. The females only produce small litters of between 1 to 3 puppies. There are currently no breeding clubs for the Bakharwal Dog and the other sad aspect is that the breed isn’t recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.
The Brittany is much like other hunting dogs – pointers and retrievers – in size and stature. He is solid and strong but not heavy. He is compact with an average size head and floppy ears, docked tails or short natural tails, and expressively intelligent looking eyes. He is athletic, energetic, and alert. He has a long, elastic and free gait. The French dog is smaller and the dog with black spots is accepted. The American Brittany is larger and only a tri-color of orange, liver and white is acceptable.
This dog is large, heavily boned, muscular and with a deep chest. They’ve got large heads and a thick, muscular neck. The nose is black, the almond-shaped brown or amber eyes gentle while the ears are medium sized and drooping. The tail is long and bushy and mostly curls over the back of the dog. Their thick coats are available in a number of colours such as cream, tan, white, black and piebald.
The Kashmiri Sheepdog has long legs and although a number of sizes exist, the regular height of the dog is roughly 61 to 76 cm.
Known also by several other names such as the Kashmir Mastiff, Kashmir Sheepdog or Bakarwal Mastiff, this dog is well known for his ferociousness, and guarding his human family is taken seriously. His courage knows know limits and he is both protector and friend, a loyal and devoted companion.
He forms a strong bond with his human family and is good natured with well behaved children who have been taught to treat animals with kindness. Caution should always be practised with small children as this is a large dog. He is playful, social and adaptable with his human family but won’t take kindly to other pets. Socialization and training are important for this strong-willed dog.
The Brittany is particularly trainable and friendly. They love to play and are sweet-natured. They don’t due well with harsh correction though and a stern look will cause them to wither. Socialize them young or they can become shy around strangers. They are loyal and family oriented. They can easily become attached to their humans.
Bred exclusively as a livestock guardian dog, the large Bakharwal is a steadfast, loving, brave guardian. He is good with people of all ages and will protect his human family with his life.
To this day the breed has a strong herding and guarding instinct, and because he is a large breed with herding instincts, he won’t be suited to apartment living. He needs a good sized garden to run in and will require exercising to stave off frustration and boredom.
Look after your Bakharwal well, especially as there aren’t many of them left. Loved, nourished and cared for, he’s just waiting to make you part of his ‘flock’ and in exchange he’ll be your loyal and devoted friend who will protect you with his life.
The breed is a hardy one and Brittanys are mostly healthy dogs. In Europe 1 in 5 dogs dies of old age and that age is usually 14 or 15 years. They do have a few issues that they may be susceptible to. These would include:
Your Bakharwal puppy will need to see the vet for a complete check up and to receive his puppy vaccinations. These innoculations immunize your puppy from hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
As he grows older, you’ll need to keep his teeth free from dental plaque by using a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.
Ticks and fleas – speak to your vet about the most effective way to treat these parasites. heartworm – this is important if your dog is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations are potentially deadly. spaying and neutering is important at 6 months of age to protect your pet from unwanted puppies and disease.
Don’t overfeed your Brittany. Keep him at hunting weight by feeding a half a cup up to 2 cups per day depending on the size of your dog and activity levels. Serve this in two meals not one.
Ears – prone to infections – make sure that you check them and wipe them out routinely to prevent infections.
Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints – this can be genetic or otherwise, causing lameness and arthritis. If severe it can require surgery to correct.
Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible. This can be genetic/hereditary but is set off by an infectious disease of the brain, head injury, poison, tumor, or metabolic disorder. There is no cure, but medication can be very effective.
Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone – can cause drooping eyelids, obesity, lethargy, mental difficulties or irregular heat cycles or all of this. Medication is available as it is for humans but must be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life
Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease that is rare in dogs. Cats and humans can also have it. It is a skin disease and does not become the more serious and deadly Systemic Lupus. The Discoid version of this disease causes loss of pigmentation and a scaling on the nose which can then progress to the skin around the ears, eyes and genitals. There could be ulcerated lesions and tissue death in more severe cases. Sun exposure can make the condition worse.
The Brittany is a hunting dog that acts like a pointer but will retrieve fowl and birds in the water or on land. If you don’t hunt, the Brittany can still be your family dog. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They need a job if they are not going to hunt and expect them to be distracted by every bird they see. Try flyball, agility, FAST CAT, field trials and dock diving. They are very task oriented and have boundless energy. They excel at obedience and confirmation as well.
The coat of the Bakharwal Dog is thick, flat and of medium length and he is a relatively low maintenance dog. Brushing the dog’s coat twice a week will be adequate to remove loose hairs, although professional grooming can be a good thing as the density of the coat makes trimming the coat a necessity. The eyes, ears, teeth, and nails of the Bakharwal Dog should also be examined regularly just to ensure no health problems develop.
Bakharwal puppies from 8 to 12 weeks will require meals 4x a day. From 6 months on he can start having 2 meals a day. Top-quality dry- or wet dogfoods will guarantees balanced nutrition, and speaking to your veterinarian will give you an idea of what is best for your canine friend. To ensure your dog doesn’t suffer with a dry, scratchy skin, remember to include raw- and cook meat into his food. Protein is an essential ingredient for the health of your dog. Always ensure clean, cool water is available and wash food- and water bowls regularly.
Make sure your Bakharwal Dog gets plenty of exercise every day to maintain good health. Take him for walks to give him new sounds, smells and sights.