# Kurdish Mastiff

Also known as: Assyrian Shepherd, Pişder dog, Segî Pişderî
- **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2)
- **Size:** Giant
- **Origin:** Iraq (Kurdistan Region)
- **Weight:** 67–80 kg
- **Temperament:** Protective, Fierce, Loyal, Powerful, Territorial

A huge livestock guardian landrace from the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, especially the Pişder region, valued by shepherds for protecting flocks from predators.

## Overview

The Kurdish Mastiff is a traditional guardian dog of the mountainous Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is especially associated with the Pişder area near Sulaymaniyah and is found in only a few thousand animals.

It is often compared with Turkish guardians such as the Kangal and the Akbash. It is a working dog shaped by its job rather than a show breed.

## History

The dog has lived beside Kurdish shepherds for generations, guarding flocks against wolves and other predators. A nineteenth-century veterinary writer described a mastiff-like dog of Kurdistan, prized by its owners, almost sacred, and tawny in colour.

It has never been developed to a written standard, and it remains a regional landrace.

## Appearance

A tall, ponderous and well-proportioned dog with a large head and a long tail. Adults are very heavy, averaging around 73 kg and sometimes reaching 80 kg, with a body length of about 75 cm.

Older accounts describe the colour as mainly tawny.

## Temperament

This is a serious guardian, bonded to its shepherd and wary of strangers. Historically it was described as fierce toward outsiders and unwilling to adapt well to a change of country and surroundings.

## Care and exercise

It needs plenty of space, strong fencing, and an experienced owner who understands guardian dogs. It is not a pet for flats or city life. Early socialisation, firm and fair handling and regular feeding of a large dog are essential.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 3
- Exercise needs: 3
- Grooming: 3
- Shedding: 3
- Trainability: 2
- Barking: 4
- Good with children: 2
- Good with other dogs: 2

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/kurdish-mastiff
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_Mastiff · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54869543
Photo: Sarok komar (CC BY-SA 4.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D8%B3%DA%AF_%D9%BE%DA%98%D8%AF%D8%B1_%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%DB%8C.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.