Overview
The Kurdish Mastiff, or Pshdar, is a livestock guardian from the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, bred to face down wolves and strangers alike. It is one of the heaviest working dogs you are likely to encounter, with a broad head, thick neck and a coat that varies from short to moderately long. Very few live in the UK.
Temperamentally it belongs to the same family as the Kangal and the Central Asian Shepherd: calm, dominant, loyal to its household and unwilling to accept interference from anyone outside it. It will not seek conflict, but it will not back down either. Respect for that, not confidence, is what keeps a walk uneventful.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two steady walks is about right. Giant guardians conserve energy by nature and most are content to amble, stop and survey, then amble again. Running and hard play are not part of the picture and should not be forced on the joints of a dog this heavy.
Hot weather is a real limitation. Walk at dawn or dusk in summer and shorten the route without hesitation if the dog is panting hard.
On the walk
- Trust first: Multiple supervised meetings before a solo walk are the minimum. The dog decides whether you are acceptable, and no amount of treats will speed that up.
- Strength: A dog of this weight that chooses to go somewhere will go there. A heavy harness with a double attachment and a lead you can brace against are essential, as is avoiding situations where you would need them.
- Other dogs: Keep a very wide berth. The breed sees unknown dogs as intruders and a determined approach from one could end badly. Group walks are out of the question.
- People: Nobody touches the dog except the owner and, once accepted, you. Position yourself between the dog and anyone who approaches.
Tips for professional walkers
- Choose empty places and empty times. A quiet farm track early in the morning beats any park.
- Watch the dog's stillness. When a guardian stops and plants its feet, it has seen something; give it time rather than pulling.
- Confirm your insurance covers a dog of this size and type before agreeing to the booking.
What to ask the owner
- How has the dog been socialised, and what is its history with strangers and other dogs?
- Has anyone outside the household ever walked it successfully?
- What equipment is the dog used to, and does it accept a harness being put on by someone new?