Traditionally, Ladakhi society included large extended families, who managed extensive areas of land and livestock. Fraternal polyandry, where brothers shared one wife, was also practiced, which provided practical benefits. One husband would stay back to handle livestock, farming and household duties, while another would travel to trade or gather supplies from far off regions, undertaking arduous multi-month trips on foot. These large families could keep a few of these large dogs, without overburdening the family to feed and care for the dog.