Researchers used doggy DNA. They tracked the way that modern dogs changed into the breeds we have today. Those researchers believe that the first domesticated dogs lived in Mongolia. The bankhar could be the world’s oldest pet and working dog.

The bankhar is not exactly a breed of dog. The Mongolia Bankhar Dog Project calls the bankhar a “landrace.” It is different from other dogs. But its differences were shaped over thousands of years of usefulness for its specific surroundings.

For instance, the weather on the steppe is often cold and dry. The bankhar dog has a thick, fluffy coat. Its fur traps body heat and keeps the animal warm. The herder’s natural enemies are predator animals. The bankhar is large with a big, bold bark. The dog can grow to be as big as a bear. It scares away those hunting beasts before they harm the flock. One of the predators is the wolf. The favorite bankhar is black in color with brown spots over its eyes. From a distance, the herder can clearly tell: “That’s my dog.” He knows it is not a wolf by the coloring and eyespots.

The dog is very smart and loyal. It can learn what humans need it to do. It also bonds with the animals it protects. Breeders say the bankhar cares about the livestock in its charge. And the dog does not need a lot of food. The bare plains of Mongolia don’t offer many resources for big appetites. So the bankhar is a good match all around for the job!