The Himalayan Sheepdog is an underrated breed meant to withstand and be the best possible choice. It is one of the best breeds if you want a guard dog. It has razor-sharp senses and a slightly royal attitude.
The Himalayan Sheepdog means business; it’s not your average breed that messes around. Learn more about the Himalayan Sheepdog in the next few paragraphs.
Himalayan Sheepdog History
The Himalayan Sheepdog is a pure breed with a slightly murky history. The birth of this breed took place in the mountains of Nepal. The breed is also remembered as the Bhote Kukur. It was developed mainly to help withstand the treacherous conditions of the mountains of Nepal. The breed has remained the most famous dog in the region because of its diverse role suitability.
The first role that it played was as a guard dog. The Himalayan Sheepdog was one of the best guard dogs in existence. The Himalayan Sheepdog was also a suitable choice for livestock guarding. Its agile senses and strong body made it a good choice for search and rescue missions in the mountains too. The breed is still highly used in Nepal, but the breed has yet to be accepted by any major clubs due to its lack of recognition.
Himalayan Sheepdog Characteristics
The Himalayan Sheepdog has an imposing giant figure. The coat of the Himalayan Sheepdog is usually highly dense. The length of the coat is usually medium to slightly long. Coat colors for the Himalayan Sheepdog are usually Brown, Black, or Fawn. The Himalayan Sheepdog will have padded paws and long legs. The ears of the Himalayan Sheepdog are usually long and drooping. In looks, it most likely resembles the Tibetan Mastiff.
How Big do Himalayan Sheepdog Get
The Himalayan Sheepdog is a large breed. The height of the Himalayan Sheepdog is usually between 26 to 32 inches for males. For females, the height range varies between 26 to 31 inches. The weight range remains the same for both males and females. The weight range is usually between 62 to 84 lbs. The weight may increase highly if you don’t take care of its weight.
How Long Does Himalayan Sheepdog Live
The average lifespan of the Himalayan Sheepdog is 10 to 14 years. The lifespan of the Himalayan Sheepdog will be highly dependent on the genetic predispositions of the Himalayan Sheepdog. To ensure that it lives a long life then you should pay attention to its medical care. It would be best if you also were careful about its diet. The best thing that you can do for it diet-wise is consulting your vet.
How Much Does a Himalayan Sheepdog Cost
The initial cost of the Himalayan Sheepdog is usually more than 800 dollars. The price of the Himalayan Sheepdog will vary highly because of the characteristics of the Himalayan Sheepdog. If the breed is healthy, it will cost you more than a thousand dollars. We recommend looking into the parents and, ultimately, the breed’s lineage to better understand it.
Himalayan Sheepdog Temperament/Personality
The breed has been taught over the years to be protective. Back when there was little protection, and nature was an actual problem, the Himalayan Sheepdog was the people’s line of defense and offense. Thus with that mindset, the Himalayan Sheepdog has turned into a slightly aggressive breed. It will not tolerate strangers and requires a lot of socialization. You should also be careful about other pets in the house. The right introductions in early childhood will go a long way for the Himalayan Sheepdog.
Training the Himalayan Sheepdog can be slightly problematic. The main thing about the training routine of the Himalayan Sheepdog is its difficulty and trickiness. If the routine is lazy and sloppy, the Himalayan Sheepdog will not follow. The Himalayan Sheepdog needs a lead figure with both compassion and firmness to follow. If you are having a hard time figuring things out by yourself, please look towards experienced people’s professional guidance.
Caring for Himalayan Sheepdog
The Himalayan Sheepdog, like every breed, requires the help of its humans to maintain its health. For this reason, we recommend paying close attention to this section.
Himalayan Sheepdog Nutrition
It’s a breed that was meant to dominate in size and strength. It comes as no surprise that it needs a lot of food. The normal daily quantity of food should be no less than three cups. You may even think about giving it more based on size and exercise. The best choice, according to us, for the Himalayan Sheepdog is Purina Dog Food or Merrick Dog Food. If you want to choose by yourself, then a look at the Dog Food section should help.
How to Groom a Himalayan Sheepdog
The Himalayan Sheepdog is a breed that is meant to withstand the harsh cold of the mountains. It is for this reason that the Himalayan Sheepdog’s coat is dense and tends to tangle up. To take care of the Himalayan Sheepdog’s coat, we recommend brushing it at least thrice per week. The brushing sessions should be undertaken with a healthy Dog Brush. You should bathe it only rarely since it doesn’t develop any sort of odor. When you do bathe it, please use a good Dog Shampoo. Trim its nails after every three weeks and brush its teeth every day.
Himalayan Sheepdog Activity Levels
The Himalayan Sheepdog has adapted to the hard journeys of the mountains of Nepal. If you think that a small walk will tire it out, then you are wrong. The Himalayan Sheepdog will need at least two hours of exercise to maintain its health. The best thing about the activity requirements is that the Himalayan Sheepdog can tolerate repetition.
Caring for Himalayan Sheepdog
The Himalayan Sheepdog is a breed meant for cold areas. You probably know what the first point of warning is. You should save the Himalayan Sheepdog from extreme heat no matter what. The coat of the Himalayan Sheepdog is dense and acts as a heating element. We recommend keeping activity minimal in warm or hot weather. Secondly, please supervise the Himalayan Sheepdog. Supervision in the initial stages is highly important for the safety of everyone.
Himalayan Sheepdog Health
The Himalayan Sheepdog is a surprisingly healthy breed which is one reason it has a long lifespan. Generally, the Himalayan Sheepdog will have a flawless immune system. It can battle against any big monster of a disease. Yet certain conditions make a life for the Himalayan Sheepdog slightly hard. These conditions are Patellar Luxation, Elbow Dysplasia, Arthritis, CHD, and Glaucoma. Obesity and all of the joint-related problems can also become a nuisance.
First of all, let’s understand that neither you nor us are expert vets. Thus the most important thing with regards to its health is getting an expert opinion. Go to the vet’s office, take your buddy and give it thorough check-ups. If there is any problem or concern, the vet will know what to do. What you can do is give it the right sort of love and care through diet and exercise.
Breeds Similar to Himalayan Sheepdog
Best Dog Food For Himalayan Sheepdogs
The best dog food for Himalayan Sheepdogs is Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag. The coin-shaped kibbles of this dog diet feature proprietary prebiotic support for strong immunity. Large-sized dogs generally do not need any extra calories, and that is why dry food contains only 327 Kcal/cup of metabolizable energy.
- Added vitamin A and E supplements take care of the eye and skin of your Himalayan Sheepdog.
- The food supplies nutrients to beneficial microorganisms of the intestine too.
- This nutritive superfood abides by all the animal safety protocols set by the USA government.
Best Puppy Food For Himalayan Sheepdogs
The best puppy food for Himalayan Sheepdogs is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe Dry Dog Food. If you want your puppy to grow fast, you should feed it with this high-protein recipe packed with advanced nutrients. The wholesome recipe contains oat, sorghum, flaxseed, boneless chicken, etc.
- Broccoli, cranberries, apples, etc., fill the recipe with lots of vitamins.
- The 394 Kcal/cup puppy food is developed for cognitive growth, and it nourishes the entire body.
- 8% of calcium keeps the skeleton strong and supports healthy hip joints.
Best Dog Bed For Himalayan Sheepdogs
The best dog bed for Himalayan Sheepdogs is FurHaven Faux Fur & Suede Memory Foam Sofa Dog & Cat Bed. You can find its three colors- espresso, stone grey, and marine blue in any online store. The luxurious pet bed features multiple layers, including memory foam, faux fur sleeping surface, etc.
- Its insulation layer keeps the Himalayan Sheepdog warm during chilly nights.
- This supportive bed has recycled fillers for the fluffy bolsters.
- The medical-grade bed comes in medium, large and jumbo size.
Best Dog Crate For Himalayan Sheepdogs
The best dog crate for Himalayan Sheepdogs is MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. Suitable for vehicles, tents, and outdoors, the crate is extra strong and makes it difficult for your Himalayan Sheepdog to escape from it.
The black pet den has slide-bolt latches to keep the little sheepdog safe inside it.
- This foldable crate is easy to relocate due to its lightweight.
- The water-resistant crate has a puppy divider and handles for the convenience of owners.
- Its roller feet protect the floor from scratching and prevent slippery-related accidents.
Best Dog Harness For Himalayan Sheepdogs
The best dog harness for Himalayan Sheepdogs is Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness. Apart from classic black, there are other two color options and all three feature mesh chest pieces. The harness has padded straps for free body movements.
- Dogs up to 200 pounds can wear this back-slip harness safely.
- It gently hugs the torso area of your Himalayan Sheepdog, and has long shoulder straps.
- The warrantied harness features an O ring, and offers you a printable measuring tape.
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