Röportaj: ‪@tayfunyonlu‬
Zerdava, as it is called by the locals, is morphologically a spitz-type local dog breed from the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, and is a part of its biocultural diversity. The breed is locally used as a guard dog and for hunting,
especially wild boar. To identify the breed, two dogs are observed in detail for their behaviour; and structured and semi-structured interviews are conducted with the local breeders. According to the observations and interviews, this
breed is very clear and consistent so as to be classified as related to northern Laika breeds. There are also many historically strong grounds for this. Mostly because of their recessive stable colour pattern and shape, it is impossible to ignore the fact that this is an original local breed and more than a regional variety. For this breed to be identified as a “Turkish Laika,” it is necessary to define the breed’s northern past and Turkish present together.