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Ilgam Gasimzadeh Nariman Agaev RESEARCH PROJECT OF CAUCASIAN SHEEP-DOG FANCIERS ASSOCIATION IN SHEMACHA, ISMAILI AND AGSU REGIONS OF AZERBAIJAN The association of the Fans of Caucasian Sheep-dog of Azerbaijan organized research expedition led by N.Agaev from October 3 till October 10 of this year. Thereby the beginning of the description of aboriginal sheep dogs in territory of Azerbaijan, with scope of foothill and steppe villages. In connection with transitions of stockbreeders on winter pastures, the territory of monitoring was limited to villages of Shemacha, Agsu and Ismaili of areas. Were described 20 dogs in the age of from 1,5 up to 6- of years? The described dogs were red-golden, light gray and only white, but basically prevailed spotty color. Eight dogs had intermediate kind of wool. Others were shorthaired. Male dogs run up 70-72 cm. Met also very large male dogs, are higher 75 cm (photo 1 Gaplan and Toplan) Age 6 years to everyone. Had numerous fights with the wolves.
Dogs head basically massive and wide in cranial of a part. Closer to steppe villages dogs have more long pads, the heads less massive, snout slightly elongated, back pads are well advanced, (photo 2)
In a course of study the researchers met with herdsmen-refugees from occupied areas of Lachin and Gubadli. From conversation with them it became known that, their wolfhounds are third generation of dogs brought by them from places of constant residing. They try to save a characteristic type of Caucasian sheep dog. Crossbreeding is not observed and it is not supposed. (photo 3 "Toplan" the native 3 generations, is brought from Lachin area).
Investigated aboriginal dogs are hardy, the changes of district transfer well, proof, and are devoted, and fights with each other do not enter. At meeting flocks belonging to the shepherds from other settlements, are limited to the preventions with long distance (photo 4). Five of investigated dogs repeatedly entered fight with the wolves. The wolves in these places not large, but very aggressive. Besides the wolves, in local mountains there is a lot of jackal, which in wintertime try to attack on flocks protected by dogs, if among which no wolfhounds.
From words of local herdsmen, after fight with predators they at once cut sheep and with the purpose of preventive maintenance from a possible infection, feed a dog fatty tail of the ram, and it is done on a kind at other dogs, that serves direct encouragement. In opinion of others herdsman in a skin cover of the wolves and other predators at fight the dogs form a specific smell, which pushes away wolfhound. And eat up sheeps fatty tail, wolfhound forgets about this smell. The biologists consider, that lipids in fatty tail of sheep are capable to neutralize poisonous for organism of substance and quickly restore the lost force. In some suburban villages was noticed, that wolfhounds graze herds of large horned cattle without herdsman (photo 5).
Herdsman Ali from Shemachas area said, that he gives the large attention to preservation of a genotype. The dogs of a line of cultivation of this fan easily give in to social adaptation and are not dangerous to the people, if from their direction aggressive steps are not undertaken. (photo 6 "Bounuag" male dog, age 4 years, photo 7 "Alash" age 3 years. Both dogs possess experience of fights with the wolves).
In the given places the dogfights are spent seldom. People always treat to wolfhounds with respect. And to this day, wolfhound here it is considered as the reliable friend and member of family. Local people never sell puppies at which the parents have the good data and the working qualities. Dogs traditionally feed by corn-barley flats. By the period of the research, most of flocks were not lowered from summer pastures, therefore to describe and to photograph a plenty of dogs was not possible. The project will proceed. |
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