Aksaray Malaklısı; the largest of the Anatolian sheep dogs, also known as the Turkish mastiff or Anatolian Lion, was used a war dog by the Assyrians 4000-2500 years ago.

Aksaray Malaklısı Breed Improvement Association (AKMID) said that the dog breed is one of the oldest in the world, and has a 3500 year-long history in Anatolia.
"The Sumerians from Central Asia brought them to Mesopotamian basin. The breed was used as a war dog 4000-25000 years ago during the time of the Assyrians," AKMID Chairman Muammer Tıpırdamaz.

Tıpırdamaz said the dogs were trained to attack foes, recognizing enemy soldiers by their different garb, in contrast to the Assyrians' armor. Today, Aksaray Malaklısı is a shepherd and guard dog, Tıpırdamaz explained. "It is used both as a watchdog for shepherds and as a watchdog at mansions, factories and houses," he said.

Tıpırdamaz said that however the dogs are trained as puppies, that is how they remain as adults. If they are raised around livestock, they become accustomed to guarding livestock. If they are raised at a home, they get used to living with the homeowner and his family and acquaintances, he explained.

Since the days of Babylon, large, powerful dogs with massive heads were living on the Kurdistan region. They were used as fighting dogs in the battles, as well as for hunting large animals, even lions and wild horses. This interesting scenes are depicted on the well-preserved Assyrian bas-reliefs, presented at British Museum. This horse-sized dog is quite scary looking, but it is friendly towards humans and loyal to its owners. Audacious historians suppose that breed has existed since 1000 BC. There are many legends about its origins, but according to the most interesting one, it was bred by Babylonians and Assyrians as a guard dog and it could defeat even a lion. Another legend claims that first Assyrian shepherd on the territory of what is now modern Kurdistan. To most of Assyrians known as (Pshdar Dog) Kurdish Dog Shepherd also, life doesn't offer lions against which to measure their strength, so their daily existence is spent in guarding sheep herds or homes. They are considered to be one of the best "service" breeds in the world. They are in black, gray, sandy, red and white coats colors and they have wrinkle face with loose and soft skin. They also have a huge dewlap and soft ears in same body color.

These dogs were used by Assyrian military and their kings like the Great King "Ashurbanipal" to hunt and take down large predators like Lions and Tigers. Assyrian shepherd is built tough to do a tough job. It is a large, powerful, rugged dog, having both great agility and endurance. It has good bone and a large head. Its gait is powerful, smooth and fluid. Its coat consists of a thick undercoat and an outer coat that ranges from short (about 1 inch) to rough (about 4 inches), slightly longer around the neck and mane. Its expression is intelligent and general impression it gives is one of a bold yet calm protector. In his homeland Assyrian Shepherd Dog (Pshdar Dog) was not only grazing tlcattle, but also he was guarding flock.

Assyrian Shepherd Dog quickly learns, he is faithful and affectionate with his owner, close friends of the family and children. Now Assyrian Shepherd is getting more and more popular in Europe and America, where people purchase this Shepherds as companion dogs or guards of the properties. Their popularity outside of their homeland in the last ten years has been steadily increasing.

📷 : Fearsome dogs known as molossers - the ancestors of modern breeds such as mastiffs and St. Bernards, are shown hunting lions in this 7th Century BC, Neo-Assyrian relief from the Palace of Nineveh (now in Iraq).

(British Museum)

#archaeohistories

点击图片查看原图