# Vikhan

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Dog breed

Vikhan Origin Pakistan, India Breed status Not recognised as a breed by any major kennel club. Traits Coat Long Colour Black, reddish or mottled Dog (domestic dog)

The **Vikhan** is a [breed](/source/Dog_breed) of [livestock guardian dog](/source/Livestock_guardian_dog) from [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan) and [India](/source/List_of_dog_breeds_from_India).[1] In Pakistan, it is found specifically the [Chitral](/source/Chitral_District) region of the [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province](/source/Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa),[2][3] while in India, it is found in [Himachal Pradesh](/source/Himachal_Pradesh). The breed's name is derived from the [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) word "vikh", meaning broken, noseless or hermit. It is possible the name was given due to the broken, uneven land on which it is found, or because the breed often lives in solitude from other parts of the Indian sub-continent.[2][3]

Compared to other livestock guardian breeds, the Vikhan is lighter framed, built more for speed than strength, resembling a large [Scotch Collie](/source/Scotch_Collie).[2][3] The breed is usually black, reddish or mottled in colour with drooped ears and a bushy tail; its long coat is often [shorn](/source/Wool#Shearing) and the hair used to make a dark [wool](/source/Wool).[2][3]

In its home range, the Vikhan is used to guard flocks of [sheep](/source/Sheep) from predators, including the [leopard](/source/Leopard). To protect the breed's neck from the latter's teeth, it is frequently fitted with a thick iron collar.[2][3]

## See also

- [Dogs portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Dogs)

- [List of dog breeds](/source/List_of_dog_breeds)

- [List of dog breeds from India](/source/List_of_dog_breeds_from_India)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [*Handbook on Care and Management of Laboratory and Pet Animals*](https://books.google.com/books?id=59as4kF7D4gC&pg=PA93). New India Publishing. 9 June 2009. p. 13. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788189422981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788189422981).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Morris_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Morris_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Morris_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Morris_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Morris_2-4) [Morris, Desmond](/source/Desmond_Morris) (2001). *Dogs: the ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds*. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 402–403. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57076-219-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57076-219-8).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Soman_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Soman_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Soman_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Soman_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Soman_3-4) Soman, W.V. (1962). *The Indian Dog*. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan. pp. 66–67.

v t e Dogs originating in India and Sri Lanka India Bakharwal dog Banjara Hound Bully Kutta Chippiparai Gull Dong Gull Terrier Haofa Tangkhul Hui Himalayan Sheepdog Indian Spitz Jonangi Kaikadi Kanni Kombai Mahratta Hound Mudhol Hound Indian pariah dog Rajapalayam Ramanadhapuram Mandai Rampur Greyhound Vikhan Sri Lanka Sinhala Hound

v t e Livestock guardian dogs Afghan Shepherd Aidi Akbash Aksaray Malaklisi Appenzeller Mountain Dog Armenian Gampr dog Assyrian Mastiff † Bakharwal dog Bernese Mountain Dog Bucovina Shepherd Dog Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound Cão de Gado Transmontano Carpathian Shepherd Dog Castro Laboreiro Dog Caucasian Shepherd Dog Central Asian Shepherd Dog Entlebucher Mountain Dog Estrela Mountain Dog Gaddi Kutta Georgian Shepherd Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greek Shepherd Gurdbasar Himalayan Sheepdog Hovawart Kangal Shepherd Dog Karakachan dog Kars Karst Shepherd Komondor Koyun dog Kurdish Mastiff Kuvasz Landseer † Leonberger Macedonian Karaman Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog Moscow Watchdog † Mucuchies Newfoundland † Perro de Pastor Mallorquin Perro Majorero Pshdar dog Pyrenean Mastiff Pyrenean Mountain Dog Rafeiro do Alentejo Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog St Bernard † Sarabi dog Sardinian Shepherd Dog Šarplaninac Slovensky Cuvac Spanish Mastiff South Russian Ovcharka Tatra Shepherd Dog Tibetan Kyi Apso Tibetan Mastiff Tornjak Vikhan † = Descended from and closely related to livestock guardian dogs, but traditionally used in other roles

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Vikhan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikhan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikhan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.