AGCA has been assisting owners with importing thoroughly investigated, approved pups direct from working shepherds of Armenia as part of our Special Genetics Program to save our breed from extinction.  Armenian Gampr numbers have plummeted dangerously over the last few centuries due to wars and genocide, the Soviets pillaging the gene pool, poverty, and loss of land.   To make matters worse, in the previous three decades, the gene pool has dwindled even more with the popularity of breeding fighting dogs, false labeling, and widespread misinformation within the Gampr community. Most of the dogs labeled as Armenian Gampr are not.  Out of all the dogs posted to social media or seen in the villages of Armenia, very few are not mixed.  This situation was (and still is) dire, and the Club needed to act.  

​

For years, up until 2018, there were very few breeders AGCA recommended, and even then, only puppies from certain dogs.  Over time, the list of good breeders dwindled to just one.   AGCA has a strict policy of immediately severing ties with anyone caught fighting or actively breeding dogs intended for dog fighting. Unfortunately, all well-known breeders supplying puppies to the US are active dog fighters.  The only exception is Armen Khechoyan, a trusted breeder, who is working to change the hearts and minds of fellow Armenians to stop this barbaric sport.

 

In 2018, Club Founder Rohana Mayer traveled to Armenia to gather samples for the DNA Project and finalize this import path of procurement in person.  This included visiting dogs in isolated camps and villages with Armen & Irena Khechoyan and traveling with Tigran Grigoryan to visit other centers on other days.

​

The program aims to source true, natural landrace gamprs who will help balance and stabilize the gene pool to prevent the Armenian Gampr from going extinct due to overbreeding mixed fighting dogs.  Our goal is to help educate and spread awareness in Armenia and the US.   AGCA is not the seller of puppies but merely a facilitator between parties who support buyers safely import reliable, actual working Armenian Gampr dogs.

 

To increase the level of care of all dogs owned by each shepherd and to ensure that puppies remain in good health and are not mistreated, each person involved in this partnership must agree to certain specific and be held accountable. The Program has been successful and beneficial in many ways:

​

• Allows US & Canadian buyers a safer route of importing a puppy

• Saves puppies who would most likely otherwise be abandoned

• Provides income for shepherds and incentive to breed correct dogs

• Places true aboriginal Armenian Gamprs into potential future breeding homes to carry forth the genetics. The intent is for puppies in this Program to be imported to Approved Breeders.

• Ensures proper nutrition to parents and puppies

• Creates breed awareness at the source and grows the community of local Armenians who also want to become involved

• Provides education, anthelmintic medication, and other anti-parasitics, and all vaccinations to dogs who would usually not receive them

• Provides revenue for other individuals and businesses in Armenia

• Increases cross-cultural relations between countries