Torkuz
The Torkuz, also known as the Uzbekistan mountain dog or Sarkangik, is a molosser-type livestock guardian breed of dog with ancient origins in Uzbekistan. This dog may reach 90 kg (200 lb) in weight and over 80 cm (31 in) in height at the withers. Its main function is to protect livestock from predators. In Russia, it has earned the nickname of "Volkodav" which means “wolf crusher”. During the era of the Soviet Union, Russian breeders created the "Central Asian Ovcharka" by mixing several ancestral breeds of Asian molossers like the Alabai of Turkmenistan, the Tobet of Kazakhstan and the Torkuz of Uzbekistan. The Torkuz is one of the original central Asian molosser breeds.
Description
Most dogs are white with dark patches of black or brown. The coat is short and dense.
There are two main types of the Uzbekistan Shepherd Dog, separated by physical build and duties they perform. The heavier variety is known as Torkuz, which is a colossal mastiff, with a large, broad head and muzzle, primarily employed as a guard dog and fighter. The leaner shepherd type is called Sarkangik and is not quite as tall as its heavier counterpart, but is equally strong and powerful, employed to drive and protect the herds, but rarely used for fighting.