Dog tradition revived to protect sheep from danger

Through three decades of marriage, they have wandered together across the rolling hills of Mongolia's northern Tuv province, accompanied by their herd of sheep and stalked by the wolves and snow leopards that threaten their livelihood.

Five months ago, Chulunjav Bayarsaikhan and Tumurbaatar Davaasuren were joined by a new partner, Hasar, a shaggy, 11-month-old bankhar dog that a hundred years ago would have been a far more common sight outside the country's tent homes known as gers.

"Now, nothing comes near our herd at night," Tumurbaatar said. "If anything does, she barks in an alarming way, so we come out before it can attack. She learned to patrol all night and is protecting them well."