Ishaq Mastiff

The Ishaq Mastiff is an ancient livestock guardian dog bred in Abayad. The breed has been bred since the Classical era in the country’s northwest to protect livestock from carnivorous animals such as wolves, jackals, and bears in the country’s mountainous regions. The Ishaq mastiff is a purely Abayadi breed, and is believed to be one of the main ancestors of the Abayadi Mastiff.

Due to its long existence and development as a breed, its dogs are extremely healthy and long-lived for dogs of their size. Few live outside Abayad, and in turn most are found in the northwestern Ishaq region, from which they get their name. The breed was once a member of a family of ancient breeds, but is the sole surviving recognizable remnant today.

History
The Ishaq Mastiff was developed by tribesmen of the Ishaq region living in the foothills of the Northern Bula Mountain range round in modern northwestern Abayad. The breed was developed as a livestock guardian as well as a war dog, and would eventually go on to later accompany King Fathi I of Qabl in his campaigns to unify Abayad under his banner.

Description
The Ishaq Mastiff is a large-size dog with a solid body and great physical strength, capable of escorting the flock as well as fighting off predators while maintaining physical superiority. Cropping of the ears is not permitted, and dogs with cropped ears may not be shown. The dogs are said to have a penetrating, calm look about them. The breed has never been bred for color, but rather for a heavy skeleton, good musculature, and a dense, short to medium-length coat.

Ishaq Mastiffs are likely not suitable for first-time dog owners. Like all guard dogs, they tend to be independent thinkers, although they are usually less temperamental than the Abayadi Mastiff. They are considered to be brave, decisive, loyal, working dogs, with a highly developed sense of duty and strong protective instinct toward flock animals and their environment. Naturally wary, they do not tolerate violent behavior among pack members and tend to be aggressive toward strangers and wild animals.

Recognition
The breed is recognized in official circles in Abayad, and breed standards have been published and the dogs presented in numerous showings. Some breeding clubs have been formed in the northwest with the explicit aim of ensuring a healthy breeding population can continue to carry on the rich heritage of the breed.