Coming from Sikkim to breed pure breed dogs

By Radha Luitel, Phidim, Nov. 18: Milan Gurung, a resident of Sikkim, India, has come to Panibhitta, Yangwarak Rural Municipality–2, Panchthar, Nepal with his female dog to meet Surya Man Gurung. His neighbour Tenzing Bhotiya has also come with his female canine to Panibhitta to meet Kipalmu Sherpa. 

Both of them spent over ₹ 4,000 (Rs. 6,400) each and travelled days to arrive here. But why? “To breed true Bhote Dogs,” Milan said. “We will return once we are sure our dogs are pregnant.”

Bhote Kukur, known as the Himalayan Sheepdog, is a breed of livestock guardian dog known for protecting flocks of yak and sheep from predators and for the guardian of the property of their owners. According to Milan, they come to Panchthar every year to mate their pets with the native Bhote dogs and produce purebred puppies. 

Also, having their pets mate with the local Bhote dogs of their area runs the risk of inbreeding, which may lead to defects in the puppies born. So, breeders choose to partner their female dogs with males from faraway places.

There are five Bhote Dog breeding sheds in Panchthar’s Yangwarak and Phalelung rural municipalities, both of which border India’s West Bengal and Sikkim states. In each of these sheds, one male usually mates with five females. 

According to Kipalmu, it usually takes a month to determine if the female is pregnant or not. 

During their stay in Panchthar, the owners of the female dogs bear the costs for their and their pets’ food and accommodation. Bhote Dogs eat rice pudding, Ghee, Kurauni (a dish made of milk) and meat. 

After their females give birth, the owners also present one pup from the litter to the owners of the male dogs.

A female Bhote Dog gives birth to four to six puppies at once. Each male pup can fetch around Rs. 20,000 in the market while a female pup goes for around Rs. 10,000. In Sikkim, one male puppy can be sold for as high as Rs. 40,000. These dogs are highly sought after by herders and elite dog owners.

However, the population of Bhote Dogs is in decline. Only about 20 sheds in Panchthar and Ilam breed Bhote Dogs and, as per breeders, there are only five male dogs in all of Panchthar.