The ancient Bankhar Mongolian herding dog is making a comeback out of sheer necessity. For over a century, these powerful dogs were used by Mongolian herders to protect their sheep flocks from predators.
Things took a definitive turn after the Xinhai Revolution when Soviet troops occupied the Mongolian territory. As Mongolia became a more industrialized country, other control methods such as guns and poison were used to control the predator population.
Not only did alternative methods lead to a decrease in the Bankhar population, the fate of other species such as snow leopards, eagles, brown bears, and foxes hung precariously in balance. Scientists are now looking for ways to increase the population and reintroduce them into their historical purpose: flock protection.
History of the Mongolian Bankhar Dog
The use of Mongolian Bankhar dogs for protection against predators is a tradition in Mongolia that dates back hundreds of years. These extremely powerful dogs are known for their stealth and ability to deter nearly any type of predator. So deeply-ingrained within the life of the sheep herder, the typical greeting when approaching a herder was "Hold your dog."
Traditionally, herding is the backbone of the Mongolian economy. The use of Mongolian Bankhar dogs always proved effective in controlling predatory species in an environmentally friendly way. Herders are reporting that their flocks are suffering massive losses at the hands of the endangered snow leopards and wolves.
The introduction of the Mongolian bankhar dogs seems to be the only surefire way to provide an ecological balance. Not only is there documented proof that the dogs are effective in livestock predation, other species on the cusp of extinction will bounce back. According to scientists, the loss of soil and grazing areas have affected both natural and human communities alike.
Traits of the Mongolian Bankhar
There is a great deal of lore associated with the Mongolian Bankhar dogs. These ancient landrace dogs are big, protective, and fit perfectly into Mongolia's ecosystem.
Height: Females are 26-29 inches at the shoulder. Males are typically a bit larger, at 29-33 inches at the shoulder
Weight: Females are80-90 pounds and males can get quite large at 85-125 pounds.
Color:These dogs can have a wide array of colors, with black and mahogany being the most common.
Coat: The Bankhar coat is pretty long at 3-4 inches. It is also adaptable to the often harsh Mongolian winters.
Temperament: Bankhars are independent thinkers. They are not aggressive toward humans unless provoked. They will not back down against predators and will attack if the predator refuses to retreat. Overall, Mongolian Bankhars are viewed as socialized and trustworthy.
Other: These dogs are athletic and genetically diverse. These dogs are known to be long-lived. There are reports of some Bankhars living past 15 years. And many of the older dogs still work in the field herding. Bone disease and other opportunistic illnesses in these dogs are minuscule.
The Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project (MBDP)
The Project (MBDP) was founded by American biologist and entrepreneur Bruce Elfstrom in 2011.
The goal of the MBDP is to protect the natural Mongolian culture by reversing desertification of the grasslands. The only way to ensure this is by breeding and training Mongolian Bankhar Dogs. The MBDP program does the following for Mongolian Bankhar Dogs:
- Identifies
- Breeds
- Trains
- Places
- Monitors
- Researches
- Reports On
- Advocates
While working in Mongolia, Elfstrom spoke with a number of herders who were not using herd protection dogs like he had witnessed in other countries. These herders were losing cattle and sheep on a large-scale basis.
Elfstrom soon learned the history of the Mongolian Bankhar Dogs and the negative impact alternative predator eradication methods had on the breed. Surprisingly, he found that in some of Mongolia's more remote regions, the dogs are still being used to this day.
Lethal predator controls including shootings, poisonings and trappings, threaten Mongolia's predator population. The use of Bankhar dogs not only reduces depredation, it encourages predators to stalk natural prey. Studies actually show that the presence of Bankhar dogs reduces predation by 80%.
Rebuilding the Mongolian Bankhar Population
The Mongolian Bankhar dog population is very low versus what it was just 100 years ago. Restoring the dog to its former status is a win win for the breed, the herders, and the country's ecological system. Dogs are chosen based on the following criteria:
- Dog Choice: The Bankhar breed was the considered by far the most superior in terms of size, speed, athleticism, temperament, and historical roots. The dogs also have a longer than average lifespan of 15-18 years.
- DNA: All dogs with modern genes were eliminated from the process. This is to ensure that only dogs with the most primitive Mongolian genes would be chosen.
- Gender Ratio and Size of Breeding Group: The long-term breeding program developed by MBDP ensures genetic diversity. It also ensures that the dog retains all of its historical attributes.
With 75% of Mongolia's land space serving as pasture, it's no wonder why the Mongolia's Bankhar dog is getting a second chance.
After many years of using alternative predator elimination methods, scientists have found that shoring up the population of these friendly, loyal, physically imposing dogs will help both herders and the delicate Mongolian ecosystem.