{"data":{"slug":"bankhar-dog","name":"Bankhar Dog","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/bankhar-dog","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/bankhar-dog","also_known_as":["Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound","Khotosho","Hotosho","Mongolian Bankhar","Mongolian Four Eye Dog"],"kind":"landrace","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"molosser","label":"Mastiff \u0026 Mountain","fci_group":2,"fci_group_name":"Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs"},"size":"Giant","origin":"Mongolia","countries":[],"height_cm":{"min":null,"max":75.0},"weight_kg":{"min":50.0,"max":60.0},"life_expectancy_years":{"min":15,"max":18},"temperament":["Loyal","Intelligent","Courageous","Affectionate","Protective","Tireless"],"exercise_level":"Medium","wikipedia_views_60d":4440,"summary":"The Bankhar is an ancient Buryat-Mongol livestock guardian, big and fluffy, devoted to its family and fearless before wolves and intruders. It is also unusually long-lived for its size.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/bankhar-dog-e15a0612b6-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/bankhar-dog-e15a0612b6-640.webp","width":1152,"height":1500,"author":"Аркадий Зарубин","license":"CC BY-SA 3.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hotosho-1.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T14:53:51Z","ratings":{"energy":3,"exercise":3,"grooming":3,"shedding":4,"trainability":3,"barking":3,"kids":4,"other_dogs":2},"coat":"Short or long, dense and weatherproof","colors":["Red","Black","Black and tan"],"fun_fact":"Its Mongolian name bankhar means chubby or fluffy, but the dog is not fat, only big, and the Buryat name hotosho means yard wolf.","sections":{"overview":"The Bankhar is a large guardian landrace from the steppes of Buryatia and Mongolia. It was shaped by nomadic herders who needed a dog able to protect flocks and camps in harsh weather against wolves, snow leopards and thieves.\n\nAt home it is gentle and affectionate, yet it takes its job seriously and is formidable toward strangers. The breed is still endangered, and efforts to preserve it continue in Russia and Mongolia.","history":"The Bankhar is very old, and genetic work suggests it is a basal type that may sit near the root of many livestock guardian dogs. Buryat legend says it first appeared beside a giant coming down from the mountains, and tales link it to the armies of Genghis Khan.\n\nIn the twentieth century the breed was nearly wiped out. Under communist rule dogs were released or killed to force nomads into settlements, and the largest dogs were hunted for their pelts. By the 1980s very few remained, and non-native dogs had also mixed into the population.","appearance":"A big, strongly built but athletic dog, standing up to about 75 cm and weighing roughly 50 to 60 kg. The coat may be short or long. Dogs are red, black or black and tan, and darker dogs with pale spots above the eyes are especially prized.\n\nThese spots earn the nickname Four Eye Dog. They help the dog be told apart from a wolf in poor light, and legend says such dogs can see into the spirit world.","personality":"Bankhars are clever, patient and persistent, able to work in bitter weather. With their own people they are loyal, sensitive and affectionate, and they are said to be tolerant with children of the family.\n\nTowards outsiders they are alert and uncompromising. They need an owner who understands guardian dogs, socialises them early and gives them a sense of purpose.","care":"This is a working dog that does best with space, a job and a secure fence, not a small flat. Daily activity and mental stimulation matter, though despite their size they need fairly little food.\n\nBrush the coat regularly, especially in long-coated dogs and during seasonal shedding. Early training and socialisation are essential for a confident, controllable guardian.","health":"Bankhars are generally robust and long-lived, often reaching 15 to 18 years. Hip dysplasia and other joint problems are reported to be rare."},"recognition":{"fci_number":null,"fci_standard_url":null,"akc_url":null},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankhar_dog","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3343819","wikipedia_revision":1376431947},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:59:38Z"}}}