The Kuchi or Afghan Shepherd dog is an
Afghan livestock guardian dog, taking its name from the Kuchi people of
Afghanistan. It is a working dog following the nomads, protecting caravans and
flocks of sheep, goats, camels and other livestock from wolves, big cats and
thieves. It is sometimes known as just a local variant of the Central Asian
Shepherd Dog and its status as a distinct breed is disputable.
Sage Kuchi or Sage Jangi is the standard
Persian name, and the Pashto name is De Kochyano Spai or Jangi Spai, meaning
"Dog of the nomads" and "Fighter Dog". It is found around
the central and northern parts of Afghanistan and the surrounding regions in
Central Asia. This Mountain dog shares similar genetic background to the
Central Asian Ovtcharka (CAO).
Because the dog is intricately associated
with nomad life in remote and rugged regions where Western breeding techniques
are not used, it is difficult to identify a "true" Kuchi type of dog.
Warfare and general unrest in the region has also affected the Kuchi people, of
whom many have settled around cities creating ample opportunity for the Kuchi
to interbreed with other dogs. There is no organizing body for dogs in
Afghanistan and some Kuchi dogs have been exported to Europe.
Description
The Kuchi dog breed possesses a very rich
gene pool, and the dogs adapt well to varying environments. It also means that
gene expression can vary greatly from one individual to another. For that
reason, it is often difficult for an unaccustomed observer to determine what
makes a particular dog a true Kuchi dog, or what type of a Kuchi dog it is.
In general, the Kuchi dog are large,
often giant dogs, with a coat that can be short, medium, or long, backed by
thick underwool. They vary in height, reaching from 27 to 32 inches (69 to 81
cm) at the withers for the females, and from 28 to 35 inches (71 to 89 cm) and
more for the males. Their weight ranges from about 84 to 120 pounds (38 to 54
kg) for the female dogs, and from 88 to 176 pounds (40 to 80 kg) and more for
the male dogs. It seems probable that the so-called "dogs of Ghor"
should be included among these "Kuchi dogs":
"The dogs of Ghor are mentioned in the earliest descriptions of the
province and were always regarded as particularly special mastiffs. According
to the Seljuk chronicles of the eleventh century there was:'A remarkably fine
breed of dogs in Ghor so powerful that in frame and strength every one of them
is a match for a lion.' The king of the Turquoise Mountain had two Ghor dogs,
one named after him and one after the ruler of Ghazni. He would make them
fight. It was dangerous to be around him on days when his namesake lost. These
dogs formed part of the tribute from the Ghorids to the Seljuk and became such
proverbial parts of Islamic culture that a medieval scholar is recorded as
saying that 'Avicenna could not fight with a dog from Ghor'.
Their build is molosser-like with lighter
and heavier variants, all of them exhibiting a perfect scissor-bite, and a
majority of them free from most genetic defects like hip dysplasia.
The shape of the head of a Kuchi dog can
vary from a wedge-type head, to brick-type, or bear-type skull, the last one
being associated mainly with the dogs of the mountain variety. Their tails are
usually docked by about one-third of their length, and usually point straight
up or at a slight angle. Traditionally, their ears are cropped, almost to the
very base.
The Kuchi dogs are tall dogs, with a
straight backline, which usually forms a square profile with the front and hind
legs. The neck is usually long and thick, with plenty of excess skin hanging
from the base of the jaw to the chest. The head is carried horizontally, or at
a slight downward angle, with eyes staring straight ahead. The muzzle is dry
and muscular.
Their body is often covered with dark spots
which don't show through the coat. These spots can also cover the inside of the
mouth, the bridge of the nose and the abdomen. The color of the coat comes in
many varieties, and is of no importance to determining the breed or the type of
Kuchi dog. Neither is the length or structure of the hair. Most often, a strip
of longer, more wiry hair covers the entire length of the backline, while the
neck area is packed with thick and slippery underwool, as well as hair that is
slightly longer than over the rest of the body.
The tooth sizes range from small in some
females, to very large in males, with the fangs often exceeding 1¼". The
shape of the fangs can form a hook with a thicker base and the point directed
toward the inside of the mouth, or can be straighter and tusk-like, much like a
wolf's.
There are three main regional types
recognized, belonging to one of two body types of dogs – the lion type and the
tiger type. Those are determined depending on the build and the motor
characteristics.
Sub-variants
and types
The Kuchi dogs can roughly be divided
into three types: the Mountain-type, the Steppe-type, and the Desert-type.
The mountain-type dogs form a very large-boned, heavy coated variety
that is well suited to living in the mountainous regions of the Pamir range.
They are usually found at higher elevations, where there is greater humidity
and more extreme, cool temperatures.
The steppe-type dogs are of much lighter built, with medium to long
hair. They are faster and more agile on expansive flats than the mountain
variety. They can be characterized as having a mastiff-like built combined with
a sighthound appearance. [clarification needed]
The desert-type dogs represent a variant most often found in the large
desert flatlands, with little vegetation and a hotter climate. They are of
medium height, with a short to medium length coat backed by very thick
underwool during the cold season. They can possess characteristics of both of
the other types, especially when it comes to the head structure.
Another way to classify the Kuchi dog
could be according to a lion-type (Djence Sheri), or a tiger-type (Djence
Palangi). This division applies mostly to the desert-type dogs, but it is
important to keep in mind that each of the regional variants can display
characteristics found in other types as well.
The lion-type dogs are of heavier built, with larger heads and deeper
chests. Their coat is usually thicker, and they are of medium height with a
larger, bear-type head.
The tiger-type dogs are the more athletic looking, with a long and deep
habitus, brick or wedge shaped head, and shorter coat. They are more often
linked with Steppe-type dogs.
The difference between the two can also
be seen in the way they move. The Lion-type dogs are more majestic in motion, they
appear very proud thanks to keeping their heads raised while they walk.
The tiger type dogs exhibit more of a
sidewinding, catlike motion, with the head usually at the level of the body,
and front paws swinging inwards when walking, running, or jumping. Both types
are extremely agile and possess tremendous speed and tenacity when running or
attacking.
Temperament
Throughout
history, the Kuchi people needed their dogs to be extremely vigilant in
guarding their livestock and belongings. They trusted their dogs to safeguard
their camps and caravans on their seasonal journeys. They also needed their
dogs to be extremely tough, not only in the face of danger, but also for
braving the rough environmental conditions that required incredible ability to
adapt.
The Kuchis travelled from the mountains,
through the deserts, in the freezing cold, and in the searing heat, through
country that, for days, did not offer shelter, or food, or even water. They
needed dogs that would survive in all kinds of extreme conditions, and still be
able to perform their duties without hindering the progress of the caravan.
They often had no spare time or energy left to feed and take care of their
dogs. They could not afford to wait for them if they fell ill, or to keep checking
to make sure they don’t fall behind or run off.
The Kuchis needed dogs that would be
fierce and possess unmatched stamina, courage and strength, but at the same
time would be extremely intelligent, trustworthy and independent. They needed
dogs that could function without any special guidance or training.
The resulting breed can be described as
representing dogs of unwavering character, strong sense of pride, keen sense of
ownership, social status, and territory, demonstrating outstanding tenacity and
perseverance, and possessing unrivalled strength and agility, all of which
enable them to defend everything that is a part of their turf and extended pack
against all predators and intruders.
They can also be extremely friendly and
affectionate, and tend to form deep emotional bonds with their 'pack members'. However,
their independent minds also make them incompatible with Western lifestyle.
They are prone to aggression towards most other dogs, and often humans, who
encroach on their territory (this could include postal workers, utility company
repairmen, emergency personnel, and even friends and family they have not been
acquainted with before), and their territory could extend well beyond the
regular house and backyard.
This breed is also very vocal in
expressing their emotions. Kuchi dogs often growl to show either pleasure or
displeasure, which can be misconstrued by many, especially children, as a sign
of aggression - and lead to unwanted and potentially dangerous reactions on
their part. This does not mean that the Kuchi breed is entirely unmanagable. But
it does mean that, in order to maintain safety and keep Kuchi dogs and their
owners in good health and spirits, these dogs demand special attention from
their owners, who should be experts on this particular breed, and on animal
behaviour in general.
Breed
history
Geographical locale favoured the
development of various types of the Kuchi dog. For example, in mountainous
regions, the heavier coated and large boned dogs were preferred, while in a
desert environment - a lighter, more agile build was more desirable. Natural
selection occurred due to environmental conditions, as well as human
preferences. Over the centuries, the breeds that ‘settled’ would become
associated with that region, and some have even received names and
international kennel breed status. The Kangal dog of Turkey, the Caucasian
Ovtcharka in the Caucasus region, and many other breeds, such as the large
shepherd breeds of Europe - all belong to this group of dogs.
The Central Asian Ovtcharka
"CAO" is a variant created by Russian breeders desiring to classify a
highly varied group of dogs of Central Asia into a ‘breed standard' which would
allow the dogs to be graded when judged in competition at popular dog shows.
This variant often appears as a large bodied, heavier headed, more uniform type;
both in colour (often white), coat texture (shorter—less variety) and body
type. There is a significant divergence of type from the native Kuchi dogs to
the show-winning Srednoaziatska Ovcharka.
The Kuchi dogs haven't changed their
basic phenotype over the same period of time; often appearing diverse in
colour, head type, body mass and coat type. The Kuchi dogs need to work with
their owners, fulfilling their duties. Otherwise they may act out their
frustrations and lack of sense of purpose in ways that can be unacceptable to
their owners and the rest of society. They are still a very primitive breed;
Kuchi dog breed has natural guard instinct are not for show ring as purely
working lines......
