The Central Asian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Alabai is a livestock guardian dog breed.
Traditionally, the breed was used for guarding sheep and goat herds, as well as to protect and for guard duty.
In 1990, the State Agroindustrial Committee of Turkmenistan approved the standard of the Turkmen Wolf-Hound dog breed.
The Alabai dog breed has a long and storied history in the region, including Turkmenistan.
Here is a brief overview of the history of the Alabai in Turkmenistan:
Origin: The Alabai breed is believed to have originated in Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, thousands of years ago.
They are descendants of ancient Molossian dogs that were used for guarding and protecting livestock.
Nomadic Tribes: Alabai dogs were traditionally used by Turkmen nomadic tribes for various purposes,
including guarding livestock such as sheep and goats, protecting camps and settlements,
and serving as loyal companions to the nomads.
Selective Breeding: Over generations, Turkmen nomads selectively bred the Alabai for specific traits such as strength,
loyalty, and protective instincts. This selective breeding led to the development of the breed as we know it today.
Symbol of Heritage: In Turkmenistan, the Alabai is not just a working dog but also a symbol of national pride and heritage.
The breed is deeply ingrained in Turkmen culture and is highly valued for its role in protecting both livestock and families.
Modern Day: Today, Alabai dogs continue to be popular in Turkmenistan and are used for a variety of purposes,
including guarding homes, working on farms, and serving as loyal companions.
The breed's strong protective instincts and loyalty make them a beloved part of many Turkmen households.
This breed presents a robust dog of greater than average size with great strength and power.
They are independent, curious and alert, yet imperturbable. The dog is as long as it is tall at the withers,
or slightly longer than its height. The hair is short or moderately long with a heavy undercoat.
Its ears are, in practice, cropped very short, and the tail is docked moderately long.
Most common colors are black/white; fawn of different shades, from almost white to deep red; brindle.
Some have a black mask.
The head is very solid, without pronounced stop or sculls.
The neck is low set, short, with dewlap. The body is fairly broad, proportionate, muscles rather flat.
The ribcage appears very long because of developed false ribs.
The legs are straight, with heavy boning and moderate yet defined angulation.
Leg bones must be in proportion, and shall never give the impression that any bone is short.
The rump is broad. The typical gait is a gallop; however CAO can trot for hours without wearing themselves out.
The Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov wrote a book about the animal and in 2017,
presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with Verni, a puppy, as a birthday present.
