Danish Swedish Farmdog vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison

The Danish Swedish Farmdog has over the centuries been a versatile dog, working on farms. The history of this dog goes way back to the 1700s, being found in Denmark and Sweden where they originated.

Today these dogs are also found in other countries. As life changed, the dog’s functions on the farm became less and the dog seemed to disappear somewhat. Both the Danish and Swedish Kennel Clubs worked together to bring back the breed, resulting in the first breed standard in 1987.

The Danish-Swedish Farmdog was also recorded in the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Services in 2011. Today, most of these dogs are owned as family or companion dogs.

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.

Nobody could be blamed for thinking that the Danish Swedish Farmdog is a Fox Terrier, because he looks very similar. He also has a short, smooth coat which is odor-free and he is a wonderfully low maintenance breed. The coat does however shed throughout the year.

The coat’s main color is white with patches of black, fawn or chocolate brown. He can also be tri-colored. He is a small to medium sized dog with a compact body, standing between 32 - 37 cm and weighing about 7 – 12kg. He has a deep chest while the head is lean, small and triangular shaped. The ears are semi erect or they can be floppy while the tail is long.

Temperament:

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is not only intelligent, but he has other excellent characteristics that make him such a splendid pet. He isn’t aggressive, he is playful, loving, loyal, social and energetic.

He therefore makes an exceptional pet. He is an amusing pet who will prove to be entertaining too. He loves being part of all the family’s activities and gets on well with children and pets in the home.

You want to be sure that you provide him with exercise and games so that he doesn’t become bored, frustrated and destructive. After all, he is a breed that is used to be busy and he won’t do well with a family who puts him in the back yard and just leaves him.

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.

Excellent Guard Dog

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.

Devoted to his Human Family

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 Danish Swedish Farmdog has got everything going for him that makes him such a wonderful pet to have. He fits well into city- or country life, although wherever you live, you’ll need to ensure he is well exercised.

He is a child-friendly- and pet-friendly pet and he also happens to be low maintenance. You just need to brush him twice a week. You aren't likely to spend much on vet's fees with him either.In exchange for his love and devotion, make sure that you give every everything he needs to ensure his health and happiness.

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.

Danish-Swedish Farmdogs have a lifespan ranging from 11 to 15 years. They are hardy dogs, not suffering from any breed specific genetic issues.

However, it pays off to know of some of the common dog illnesses there are. If you provide your dog with high quality, nutritious food, good exercise and plenty of love and care, he can reach 15 years of age. Some of the more common dog illnesses to look out for -

Hip Dysplasia:

It is always a good idea to have this testing for your dog. In fact, hip testing can spare you a great deal of anguish later on with your pet.

Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal disorder in dogs and although it is more prevalent in large dogs, smaller dogs can also get it.

You’ll notice your pet running with a strange gait and sometimes when he lies down, he’ll battle to get up again.

Recognizing the clinical signs of hip dysplasia is important to spare your dog a whole lot of pain, discomfort and even lameness.

Vaccinations

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.

Your Bakharwal dog is generally a health breed but keep an eye on

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.

Grooming:

The Danish Swedish Farmdog isn’t going to be requiring too much grooming. He has a short, smooth coat which actually repels dirt.

Because his coat is odor-free, he certainly can get by without bathing. This is good news, as bathing a dog strips the skin of its natural oils. You can always just wipe his coat down with a damp cloth to rid it of dust and give his coat a good brushing twice a week to remove it of loose hairs.

General Grooming tips:

It is always a good idea to check your pet’s ears to see that they remain free of debris and wax. There are ways and means to do this, and if you’re not sure how, your vet or doggy parlor can explain the process.

Check his nails to ensure they don’t get too long. This is prone to happen when your pet runs constantly on grass and doesn’t come into contact with a hard surface which files the nails down naturally.

Also, dental care is most important, and you need to brush your pet’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week with special toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Bad teeth don’t only affect the mouth of the dog, they can be detrimental to every part of your dog’s body.

Grooming the Dense Coat

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.

Feeding

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.

Exercise to Prevent Boredom and Weight Gain

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.