Pshdar dog

Assyrian Mastiff
Assyrian Mastiff
	Assyrian mastiff
Other names	Assyrian shepherd dog; Kurdish mastiff;
Common nicknames	Pshdar dog ;
Origin	Iraq, Iran, Turkey
Breed status	Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Height
Traits
Height	77–95 cm (30–37 in)
Weight	Dogs
	Bitches
	Dog (domestic dog)

The Assyrian Mastiff also known as Pshdar dog (Sorani Kurdish: سەگی پشدەری) is a dog landrace native to Northern Iraq.^[1] This dog is often used as a livestock guardian against predators.

The name is most likely derived from the images of this type of dog that appear in Assyrian and other Mesopotamian reliefs dating from the 10th to 6th century BCE Neo-Assyrian Empire. It was, and still is, specially prized for its high stamina while fighting external threats, especially wild animals and other dogs. It has a fish-like body, broader at the chest and narrower at the waist, which enables it to twist and turn at high speeds irrespective of its huge frame.

The coats of Assyrian mastiffs can be yellow, white, red, burgundy, blue and black. The breed has loose skin, large dewlaps, and non-cartilaginous (soft and floppy) ears. The breed is longer and stronger than the other Asian mastiffs. Its body length is especially eye-catching, since it has a long and slender body resembling the lion. This breed has a significantly larger amount of endurance comparative to other dog breeds. It also has high body strength and is usually longer than other giant dog breeds.

Weight and height[]

Males weigh between 50 and 92 kilograms (even crossing 100 kg in rare cases), females 45 to 80 kilograms. The height of these dogs at the shoulder is between 75 and 90 centimeters in males and between 70 and 85 in females.