I was always very excited and happy when I saw the nomads coming. It was great to see their healthy eyes and straight, strong bodies. They had amazingly free spirits and a clarity you could see in their faces. Often in the morning and early evening villagers (and I) would go and buy fresh cheese and milk from the nomads. Their dogs would sit beside the tent, sometimes on a leash and sometimes free, confidently and carefully watching the actions of the customers I never saw any of these dogs approach a stranger for attention.
The only time a customer would be able to pat the dog would have been when the owner stood next to it and allowed it. Similarly, a nomad could quiet his dog with a simple hand gesture, which assured the dog that everything's O.K.
Again, I will state that these were working dogs, not pets or showdogs as we have in the west. The nomads had no room for extraneous animals in their life. All of them had a purpose and their dogs clearly were bred and kept for the purpose of guarding the nomads themselves, and their animals, in the same way that the ancient bloodlines guarded the caravans on the Silk Road all across Middle Asia.
Though their animals were not pets, the nomads clearly demonstrated an obvious respect and love for them - often decorating their dogs in turquoise jewelry and elaborate collars, and their horses, donkeys, camels and goats in elaborately stitched and ornamented harnesses.
Koochee dog and his proud owner