Armenian Gampr dog
Encyclopedia
Armenian Gampr is a breed of livestock guardian dog
that originated in the Armenian Highlands, including the territories of modern Eastern Anatolia of Turkey
and the Republic of Armenia. The Armenian Gampr was bred by local people using primitive selection. Even though not recognized by various kennel clubs as a distinct dog breed, they are a distinct form of canidae
, dog
, dog breed
and landrace
, which has been the subject of intense genetic research. In April 2011 International Kennel Union (IKU) officially recognized the Armenian wolfhound Gampr as Armenia’s national dog breed.
studied petroglyphs near the modern city of Kars
, determining that several domestic breeds dated to the Neolithic
period.
It is unknown when the Gampr was domesticated. While there is a huge diversity among the endemic species dating back tens of thousand of years, the prototype of the modern Gampr was formed 3,000 years ago. Petroglyphs found in the Armenian Plateau, beginning c. 15,000-12,000 BCE, show a large number and variety of dog types, providing a record of development. Of the hundreds of petroglyphs found at Ughtasar
and on the Geghama mountain range
, up to 20% of the carvings resemble the modern Gampr, while others show a remarkable diversity of dog that no longer exists. A monograph by S. Dal, "Sevan plateau's transcaucasian
shepherd dog, 1st millennium BC" described the results of an excavation conducted in 1954 by Lake Sevan
. In the site which dated about 800 - 1000 BC, they found a well preserved dog skeleton in one tomb. By comparing the skull with the head of a modern Gampr and other canines, Dal concluded that it was a then typical representative of the breed, although there are some marked differences from the modern type, like longer head-face, narrower head box and stronger teeth. Dal found that despite the selection and breeding process of the last 3,000 years—which affected the dogs general appearance and size—the Gampr was already established and formed as a breed in the 1st millennium BC. As a result of these findings it is now believed that natural selection and breeding over the millennia 'built' the modern Gampr, a breed that shows traits of the older dog types represented in the carvings while maintaining its own unique physiology. Despite conjectures of outside nations that the dog originated outside of the Armenian Plateau, and was somehow introduced by countries as far flung as Tibet
(see Tibetan Mastiff
), there was an endemic species of dog on the Armenian Plateau recorded as early as 12,000 BC.
The problem of the preservation and breeding local dog breeds exists in many regions of the world. including Armenia.
. They preserved the genetic variation that other dog breeds had initially. This genetic variation was promoted by spontaneous and, in some cases, intentional periodic matings with locally indigenous wolves (still present). Gamprs differ by their vital capacity, independence, mind, strong self-preservation instinct, ability of the trustworthy defense and protection of livestock, and exclusive friendliness to humans.
This mountain dog
's head is large, well-outlined and well-developed but lacks prominent cheekbones. The back is wide, straight, muscular and strong. At the withers, the height in male dogs is 65 centimetres (25.6 in) or more, and in female dogs is 62 centimetres (24.4 in) or more. Weight corresponds to the total size of the dog, and usually varies from 45 to 60 kg (99.2 to 132.3 lb).
The Armenian Gampr has a well-developed undercoat, in order to protect it under harsh conditions. Depending upon the coat length, there are two types: long-haired, with long top hairs, and short-haired, with dense, relatively short hair. A brown or piebald coat is undesirable according to the breed standard
.
", but the same breed may instead be called a "gelkheht" (from "gel" - "wolf" and "hhehtel" - "to smother") if it is predesposed to be used as a wolfhound
; a bear-hunting dog is known as "archashoon" ("bear-dog"); an avalanche dog is named "potorkashoon", and a shepherd dog
is named "chobanishoon".
One of the main traits of Gampr dog is its ability to adapt independently and arrive at a proper decision. If the Gampr dog sees that you need its help, it will protect you. If the Gampr understands that you do not need its assistance, it will not protect you. The Gamprs are very tied to people, especially those dogs that live in human houses, because they feel themselves a family or pack member.
The Armenian Gampr is not recognized by any of the major kennel clubs around the world.
Only dogs without any inclusions of non-Gampr (i.e. CAO, Alabai, Kochee etc.) bloodlines shall be bred as Gampr, in order to keep the breed pure. There are two strains of gampr, the palace guardian type and the livestock type. The livestock type tends to be smaller, tireless, and slightly more volatile. The palace guardians are generally taller, more square-built, and fairly congenial but still very protective. They have a tendency to be more sedentary, and to stay in one location. During the invasions of Armenia over the last several hundred years, the palace guardian type dogs have been dispersed, with a few remaining in remote villages, but many were taken out of the country and used in the development of the breeds elsewhere, such as the CAO, and in the Red Star Kennel in the USSR.
Gampr is supposed to be unique by its genotype
, because of belonging to the haplogroup
of dogs of other parts of the Armenian Highlands that cluster only with the dogs of Spain
and Scandinavia
The geographic and cultural coexistence of the Caucasian Ovcharka
and the Central Asian Ovcharka, and its use as a standard, is itself seen as an issue threatening the continued existence of the Armenian Gampr dog landrace. The Armenian Gampr Club of America states: "The gampr is not: An Alabai, a Caucasian Ovcharka, a Kangal
, an Anatolian
, an Akbash, a Karakatchan
, a Central Asian Shepherd, a Koochee, a Tornjak, a Sharplaninatz
, or a cross of these."
Livestock guardian dog
A livestock guardian dog is a domesticated canine used to defend livestock against predators. LGDs are commonly referred to as "sheep dogs" since they most often have guarded flocks of sheep, but most are capable of guarding other species of livestock. They are classified as pastoral dogs...
that originated in the Armenian Highlands, including the territories of modern Eastern Anatolia of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and the Republic of Armenia. The Armenian Gampr was bred by local people using primitive selection. Even though not recognized by various kennel clubs as a distinct dog breed, they are a distinct form of canidae
Canidae
Canidae is the biological family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that includes wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and domestic dogs. A member of this family is called a canid . The Canidae family is divided into two tribes: Canini and Vulpini...
, dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
, dog breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
and landrace
Landrace
A landrace is a local variety of a domesticated animal or plant species which has developed largely by natural processes, by adaptation to the natural and cultural environment in which it lives. It differs from a formal breed which has been bred deliberately to conform to a particular standard...
, which has been the subject of intense genetic research. In April 2011 International Kennel Union (IKU) officially recognized the Armenian wolfhound Gampr as Armenia’s national dog breed.
History and fossil records
The Armenian Gampr were distributed over the Armenian Highlands prehistorically – as evidenced by thousands of petroglyphs found throughout the territory. Professor Oktay Belli at Istanbul UniversityIstanbul University
Istanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
studied petroglyphs near the modern city of Kars
Kars
Kars is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. The population of the city is 73,826 as of 2010.-Etymology:As Chorzene, the town appears in Roman historiography as part of ancient Armenia...
, determining that several domestic breeds dated to the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period.
It is unknown when the Gampr was domesticated. While there is a huge diversity among the endemic species dating back tens of thousand of years, the prototype of the modern Gampr was formed 3,000 years ago. Petroglyphs found in the Armenian Plateau, beginning c. 15,000-12,000 BCE, show a large number and variety of dog types, providing a record of development. Of the hundreds of petroglyphs found at Ughtasar
Ughtasar Petroglyphs
Ughtasar Petroglyphs are petroglyphs found in Armenia. There are dozens of rock carvings found in the territory of Armenia, they are known as "Itsagir".- External links :*...
and on the Geghama mountain range
Geghama mountains
The Geghama mountains , are mountains in Armenia. is a tableland-type watershed basin of Sevan Lake from east, inflows of rivers Araks and Razdan from north and west, Azat and Vedi rivers from south-west and Arpachai river from south...
, up to 20% of the carvings resemble the modern Gampr, while others show a remarkable diversity of dog that no longer exists. A monograph by S. Dal, "Sevan plateau's transcaucasian
South Caucasus
The South Caucasus is a geopolitical region located on the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia also referred to as Transcaucasia, or The Trans-Caucasus...
shepherd dog, 1st millennium BC" described the results of an excavation conducted in 1954 by Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of the Republic of Armenia, inside the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900m above sea level...
. In the site which dated about 800 - 1000 BC, they found a well preserved dog skeleton in one tomb. By comparing the skull with the head of a modern Gampr and other canines, Dal concluded that it was a then typical representative of the breed, although there are some marked differences from the modern type, like longer head-face, narrower head box and stronger teeth. Dal found that despite the selection and breeding process of the last 3,000 years—which affected the dogs general appearance and size—the Gampr was already established and formed as a breed in the 1st millennium BC. As a result of these findings it is now believed that natural selection and breeding over the millennia 'built' the modern Gampr, a breed that shows traits of the older dog types represented in the carvings while maintaining its own unique physiology. Despite conjectures of outside nations that the dog originated outside of the Armenian Plateau, and was somehow introduced by countries as far flung as Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
(see Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed and type of domestic dog originating with nomadic cultures of Central Asia.-Names and etymology:...
), there was an endemic species of dog on the Armenian Plateau recorded as early as 12,000 BC.
The problem of the preservation and breeding local dog breeds exists in many regions of the world. including Armenia.
Appearance
The modern Gampr has changed little within the history of its existence in Armenian Highlands. It is one of few natural breeds not subjected to hard selection by phenotypePhenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
. They preserved the genetic variation that other dog breeds had initially. This genetic variation was promoted by spontaneous and, in some cases, intentional periodic matings with locally indigenous wolves (still present). Gamprs differ by their vital capacity, independence, mind, strong self-preservation instinct, ability of the trustworthy defense and protection of livestock, and exclusive friendliness to humans.
This mountain dog
Mountain dog
Mountain dog is a generic form of canidae, dog, dog breed or landrace typically from mountain environs.They are often a working dog, particularly a livestock or flock guardian or farm dog. By and large, these dogs tend to have a claimed Molosser dog in their genetic heritage...
's head is large, well-outlined and well-developed but lacks prominent cheekbones. The back is wide, straight, muscular and strong. At the withers, the height in male dogs is 65 centimetres (25.6 in) or more, and in female dogs is 62 centimetres (24.4 in) or more. Weight corresponds to the total size of the dog, and usually varies from 45 to 60 kg (99.2 to 132.3 lb).
The Armenian Gampr has a well-developed undercoat, in order to protect it under harsh conditions. Depending upon the coat length, there are two types: long-haired, with long top hairs, and short-haired, with dense, relatively short hair. A brown or piebald coat is undesirable according to the breed standard
Breed standard (dogs)
A breed standard in the dog fancy is a set of guidelines covering specific externally observable qualities such as appearance, movement, and temperament for that dog breed...
.
Character and behavior
Gampr dogs are not trained, instead performing the necessary functions naturally. The Armenian word "Gampr" means "watchdogWatchdog
Watchdog may refer to:Dog*Guard dog, a dog that barks to alert its owners of an intruder's presenceIn computing* Watchdog timer, a device in computer softwareConsumer protection...
", but the same breed may instead be called a "gelkheht" (from "gel" - "wolf" and "hhehtel" - "to smother") if it is predesposed to be used as a wolfhound
Wolfhound
Wolfhound can refer to various breeds of dogs that have been bred to hunt wolves or to established lines of wolf-dog crosses that retain significant characteristics of wolves. Wolf-dog hybrids crossed in recent generations are often referred to as wolfdogs, wolf-dog hybrids or wolf crosses, but...
; a bear-hunting dog is known as "archashoon" ("bear-dog"); an avalanche dog is named "potorkashoon", and a shepherd dog
Shepherd dog
A shepherd dog may be:* Herding dog, a dog used to herd sheep and other livestock* Livestock guardian dog, a dog used to guard sheep and other livestock...
is named "chobanishoon".
One of the main traits of Gampr dog is its ability to adapt independently and arrive at a proper decision. If the Gampr dog sees that you need its help, it will protect you. If the Gampr understands that you do not need its assistance, it will not protect you. The Gamprs are very tied to people, especially those dogs that live in human houses, because they feel themselves a family or pack member.
Kennel club recognition
The Breed committee of the International Kennel Union (IKU) officially recognized the Armenian wolfhound Gampr as Armenia’s national dog breed.The Armenian Gampr is not recognized by any of the major kennel clubs around the world.
Breeding
In Armenia Gampr dogs are bred by "Gampr", Tiknapah", Aralez" and "Aspar" Clubs, as well as "Amasia" Kennel that carry on the breeding to preserve the phenotype and working traits of Gampr dogs.Only dogs without any inclusions of non-Gampr (i.e. CAO, Alabai, Kochee etc.) bloodlines shall be bred as Gampr, in order to keep the breed pure. There are two strains of gampr, the palace guardian type and the livestock type. The livestock type tends to be smaller, tireless, and slightly more volatile. The palace guardians are generally taller, more square-built, and fairly congenial but still very protective. They have a tendency to be more sedentary, and to stay in one location. During the invasions of Armenia over the last several hundred years, the palace guardian type dogs have been dispersed, with a few remaining in remote villages, but many were taken out of the country and used in the development of the breeds elsewhere, such as the CAO, and in the Red Star Kennel in the USSR.
Gampr is supposed to be unique by its genotype
Genotype
The genotype is the genetic makeup of a cell, an organism, or an individual usually with reference to a specific character under consideration...
, because of belonging to the haplogroup
Haplogroup
In the study of molecular evolution, a haplogroup is a group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor having the same single nucleotide polymorphism mutation in both haplotypes. Because a haplogroup consists of similar haplotypes, this is what makes it possible to predict a haplogroup...
of dogs of other parts of the Armenian Highlands that cluster only with the dogs of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
The geographic and cultural coexistence of the Caucasian Ovcharka
Caucasian Ovcharka
- External links :* *...
and the Central Asian Ovcharka, and its use as a standard, is itself seen as an issue threatening the continued existence of the Armenian Gampr dog landrace. The Armenian Gampr Club of America states: "The gampr is not: An Alabai, a Caucasian Ovcharka, a Kangal
Kangal
Kangal is a town and a district of Sivas Province in Turkey. The mayor is Mehmet Öztürk .-See also:*Kangal Dog...
, an Anatolian
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog also known as Karabash is a breed of dog which originated in Anatolia and was further developed as a breed in America....
, an Akbash, a Karakatchan
Karakachan Dog
The Karakachan is a breed of dog that originated in Bulgaria as a mountain livestock guardian dog. Other names are Karakachan Shepherd and Thracian Mollos. The dog is named after the Karakachans, Balkan nomadic shepherds...
, a Central Asian Shepherd, a Koochee, a Tornjak, a Sharplaninatz
Šarplaninac
The Šarplaninac or Šarplaninec , also known as Sharplaninac/Sharplaninec, Illyrian Shepherd Dog or Yugoslav Shepherd Dog-Šarplanina is a dog breed of the livestock guardian type originally from Serbia and Macedonia.- Appearance :The...
, or a cross of these."
External links
- Armenian Gampr dog at the Open Directory ProjectOpen Directory ProjectThe Open Directory Project , also known as Dmoz , is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links. It is owned by Netscape but it is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors.ODP uses a hierarchical ontology scheme for organizing site listings...
- Armenian Gampr dog at SHANT TV