A Sage Mazandarani from Abkhoreh in northern Iran, early 2000.
This breed is hardly known at all outside of its native region in northern Iran.
The Sage Mazandarani is close related to the Sredneasiatskaia Ovtcharka
and the Sage Koochee of Afganisthan, and like the Sage Koochee it can be
questioned if this breed really is a breed of its own or just a southern variant of the Sredneasiatskaia. So far I does not
know what differs the Sage Mazandarani from the other Central Asian Ovtcharka types, but I promise you that as soon as I got such
information it will be up at this page.
Sage Mazandarani dog together with villagers in northern Iran, 1912.
Sage Mazandarani dogs in Theran 1978.
In Iran they usally do not crop the ears and tails of their livestock guardians. In addition to the large Central Asian Ovtcharka typed guarding dog the
nomads of Iran also have a smaller working shepherd dog, much the size and apperance of a Border Collie. We can assume that these two breeds often have been crossed with each other.
Two Sage Mazandarani in Ardabil in north-west of Iran, 1999.
Russian soldiers Caspian Tiger hunting party in north eastern Iran, 1912.
Dogs from the Mazandaranian area have been imported into Russia and supposedly been used in the breeding of Central Asian Ovtcharka, which
further suggest the close relationship of these two "breeds".
In the area of northern Iran where this breed are located the now extinct Caspian Tiger (Panthera tigris virgata)
were to be found in earlier times, and the breed was used as a flock guardian against the Tiger, but also against the other predators in the area, like the bear. The Sage Mazandarani is
also known as Hers Kosh, which means "bear killer". The breed was also used as a hunting dog for large game, which can be seen on the picture with the Russian hunting party.
A Persian miniature of a white dog, dating 1632, from central Iran.
Vagrant dogs in Tehran in the beginning of the 1900's.
Photo by Ali G. of a Sage Mazandarani puppy in Alamdeh,
Mazandaran province, northern Iran, may 2000.
Molosserworld want to thank Kamal Penhasi of Israel for providing the pictures and info on the Sage Mazandarani.
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