Himalayan Sheepdog

also known as Gaddi, Gaddi Leopardhund, Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog, Bhotiya, Himalayan Guard Dog, Bhote Kukkur, Himachal Pradesh, Bhotia, HSD, Himalayan Chamba Gaddi

Pros Summary


The Himalayan Sheepdog, also known as the Himalayan Mastiff, is a large, powerful breed of dog that is native to the Himalayan region of Asia. It is believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, and has been used for centuries as a guard dog and a working dog in the harsh, mountainous terrain of the Himalayas.

The Himalayan Sheepdog has a thick, long coat that is well-suited to the cold, snowy climate of the Himalayas. It is typically white or cream-colored, with black, brown, or red markings on its face, legs, and tail. The breed is known for its intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature, and is well-suited to families with children.

Although the Himalayan Sheepdog is not well-known outside of its native region, it is highly prized in the Himalayan countries of India, Nepal, and Bhutan for its ability to protect livestock and guard property. It is also used as a search and rescue dog in the mountainous terrain of the Himalayas.

Breed Information


Type

Is Himalayan Sheepdog a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Himalayan Sheepdog name? How do you say Himalayan Sheepdogs?

him-uh-ley-n sheep-dawg

Purpose

What were Himalayan Sheepdogs originally used for?

Guarding, Herding, Companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Himalayan Sheepdogs Live? What is average life expectancy for a Himalayan Sheepdog? How long can Himalayan Sheepdogs live?

9-14 years

The average Himalayan Sheepdog lifespan is somewhere between 9-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Himalayan Sheepdog Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Himalayan Sheepdog?

What is the average height of a Himalayan Sheepdog? How big is a Purebred Himalayan Sheepdog height? Himalayan Sheepdog dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 26-32 inches (66 - 81.3 cm) 13.5 inches (34.3 cm) 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 29.0 inches (73.7 cm)
Female 26-32 inches (66 - 81.3 cm) 13.5 inches (34.3 cm) 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 29.0 inches (73.7 cm)
What is the average weight of a Himalayan Sheepdog? How much should Himalayan Sheepdogs weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 62-84 pounds (28 - 38 kg) 21.5 pounds (10 kg) 41.0 pounds (19 kg) 74.0 pounds (34 kg)
Female 62-84 pounds (28 - 38 kg) 21.5 pounds (10 kg) 41.0 pounds (19 kg) 74.0 pounds (34 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are Himalayan Sheepdogs Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Himalayan Sheepdog is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Himalayan Sheepdog dog?

The Himalayan Sheepdog dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Himalayan Sheepdogs come from?

Nepal
India

Ancestry

What are Himalayan Sheepdogs descended from?

Tibetan Mastiff, Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet

Date of Birth

When were Himalayan Sheepdogs first bred? How old is the Himalayan Sheepdog breed?

Ancient Times

Himalayan Sheepdog Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Himalayan Sheepdog eyes?

Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Himalayan Sheepdog nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Himalayan Sheepdog coat be naturally?

Black
Brown
Fawn

Coat Length

How long is a Himalayan Sheepdogs coat?

The coat of a Himalayan Sheepdog falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Himalayan Sheepdog Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Himalayan Sheepdog?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Himalayan Sheepdog have in a litter? How many puppies can a Himalayan Sheepdog have in her first litter?

9-14 puppies per pregnancy

A Himalayan Sheepdog can have a litter of 9-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Himalayan Sheepdog Health Issues


Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Himalayan Sheepdog?

Patellar Luxation
Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Himalayan Sheepdogs?

Elbow Dysplasia
Arthritis
Canine Glaucoma

Occasional Diagnoses

Obesity

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Himalayan Sheepdog breed?

Urinalysis
Complete Blood Count
Full Physical Examination
Blood Chemistry
Complete Ophthalmologic Examination
Hip and Elbow X-rays

Himalayan Sheepdog Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Himalayan Sheepdogs have a lot of energy?

Himalayan Sheepdogs are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Himalayan Sheepdogs get?

The Himalayan Sheepdog dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Himalayan Sheepdogs tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Past times

What do Himalayan Sheepdogs enjoy doing? How do I keep my Himalayan Sheepdog busy?

Playing, Rope game, Chase, Fetch, Catch treats, Walk, Hide and seek, Go to Park

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Himalayan Sheepdog? How much energy does a Himalayan Sheepdog have?

High

Himalayan Sheepdogs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Walks per Week

How far should a Himalayan Sheepdog walk each week? How many miles should a Himalayan Sheepdog walk every week?

16 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Himalayan Sheepdog, it's at least 16 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Himalayan Sheepdog should exercise a day? How much activity does a Himalayan Sheepdog need?

120 minutes

In general most Himalayan Sheepdogs usually need at least 120 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Himalayan Sheepdog?

The Himalayan Sheepdog is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Himalayan Sheepdog?

Weekly

Himalayan Sheepdog should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Himalayan Sheepdogs?

Pin Brush
Dematter
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Himalayan Sheepdog eat?

3 cups

For an average 62-84 pound (28 - 38 kg) Himalayan Sheepdog feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Himalayan Sheepdog Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of a Himalayan Sheepdog is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Himalayan Sheepdog Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of a Himalayan Sheepdog is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Himalayan Sheepdog Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Himalayan Sheepdog?

The Himalayan Sheepdog breed is considered highly intelligent and very easy to train.

Affection Dependance

Are Himalayan Sheepdog dogs affectionate?

Dog Friendly

Do Himalayan Sheepdog dogs get along with other dogs? Are Himalayan Sheepdogs OK with other dogs?

Himalayan Sheepdogs are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Playfulness

Do Himalayan Sheepdogs like to play? Are Himalayan Sheepdogs playful?

Himalayan Sheepdogs have an average level of playfulness. The Himalayan Sheepdogs, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Himalayan Sheepdog easily trained?

Himalayan Sheepdog dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.