Also, because so much of Tajikistan is isolated and mountainous, many people live hours away from their nearest neighbor. They rely on dogs to protect their houses and their children if they have to leave. Dogs are a major part of Tajikistan's cultural legacy.
Nothing can harm a Tajik sheepdog! They're big enough to fight or scare off almost any other animal who might want to have a tasy sheep snack -- including bears, wolves and foxes. There's every reason to think that Tajik sheepdogs, and the cultural system that makes their work valuable, will survive long into the future.
