It's difficult to say today which dog breed can be considered the most ancient, but the fact that the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is among the top five oldest is a proven fact. The uniqueness of this breed lies in the fact that natural selection played a major role in the formation of the species.
The ancestors of the Alabai are considered to be mastiffs, which were once very common in the territory of today's Central Asia and which were domesticated by humans in ancient times.
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History of the Alabai breed
Some scientists say the first mastiffs were domesticated more than 6,000 years ago. This is entirely logical, given the lifestyle of Asian nomads who made their living from herding livestock and needed brave and loyal companions.the four-legged comrade is not simply obliged They were not only expected to act as watchdogs for the flock, but also to protect it from various animals, participate in hunting, and even military operations. It's therefore not surprising that both the temperament and appearance of these shepherds were, to put it mildly, combative. It was these qualities that Asian tribes later attempted to cultivate when breeding other breeds, including the Alabai.
Domestic dog breeding among nomads was quite advanced. Thus, almost every dog (of which, according to archival data, there were approximately 8,000) had a personal guardian who ensured proper care, nutrition, and so on. Matters of breeding and selection were the direct responsibility of the khan and his immediate family.
This approach not only allowed for precise control over the breeding process, but also allowed for the selection of only the very best representatives of the breed and the elimination of the weak. Dogs that showed aggression toward humans were also culled. On the one hand, the animal must be fearless, brave and strong, but also able to recognize superiority and obey their master. At that time, dogs weren't kept in enclosures but roamed freely throughout the area and could frighten or even harm children or village residents.
The following important qualities were cultivated in representatives of the species known as the Alabai or Central Asian Shepherd Dog:
physical strength and devotion;- the ability to protect the owner and guard the flock;
- courage and bravery.
physical strength and devotion;This animal evolved not only to be brave and strong, but also capable of analyzing a situation and making the right decisions to protect property and people themselves. Because nomads often left their wives and children under the care of their four-legged friends when leaving for war or hunting. Judging by the results, they did a great job with such an important and complex task.
Since there were a large number of nomadic tribes, and each had its own breed, there is some confusion in the names. Officially, the breed is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and under this name it was registered with the FCI. Despite the fact that Owners and dog handlers often call their dogs Turkmen Alabai or Kazakh Wolfhound, all of them are required to meet a common standard that is recognized worldwide.
To get a first impression of this formidable and large beast, just look at photos of its predecessors, the mastiffs. Incidentally, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog itself is among the top 10 and is the strongest and largest in the world. But Don't confuse aggressive and strongSince owner reviews indicate that the Alabai is not aggressive (at least, it does not show aggression unless necessary).
Despite the fact that this dog's history spans thousands of years, this breed was officially recognized only in 1988 by experts from the International Cynological Organization. It is likely that its official recognitionthat kind of dog had been waiting for so long Precisely because of its naturalness, as the breed was developed without the aid of artificial selection. Therefore, it can be safely said that this very intelligent and large animal is a gift of nature to man.
What is special about the Alabai?
One could debate at length why this breed enjoys such worldwide popularity. Yet, despite its remarkable physical strength, large size, and impressive appearance, nowhere else in the world... In no country is the dog banned from breeding, nor to the content. That is, a strong and large dog does not pose a danger to people (provided, of course, that it is properly trained).
As in ancient times, this large beast is now typically bred to guard property and people. The dog owes its menacing appearance to the difficult conditions in which previous generations had to fight for their existence.The climate in Asia can hardly be called mild, and constant battles with wild animals hardened the character of this wolfhound, and made the body almost impenetrable to the teeth of predators.
Naturally, in today's conditions, especially in an apartment, an Alabai most likely doesn't need this arsenal. Incidentally, keeping this animal has some peculiarities, and dog handlers strongly advise against acquiring one. Central Asian Shepherd puppy For apartment living. Since this dog, considered the largest and strongest, requires a lot of space, it simply won't be able to utilize its full potential.
Moreover, raising and caring for such stately beauties has its own nuances, and even some difficulties. And care, while generally not difficult, still requires some effort and skill. You can verify this by reading owner reviews.
In his notes, Marco Polo indicated that these huge animals, which reached the size of donkeys, were used by the local population not only as guards, but also as hunters and even as "draft animals".
The uniqueness of this dog is demonstrated by the fact that in Turkmenistan, the purebred Central Asian Shepherd, known locally as the Turkmen Wolfhound, is considered national property and is prohibited from export along with Akhal-Teke horses. Representatives of this breed are treated with no less scrupulous care in any country.
For example, in neighboring Uzbekistan, this breed is called Alapar and is raised as "guard shepherds," whose main purpose is to protect flocks from attacks by wolves and jackals.
The specific character of this dog did not allow for its mass training and these smart but unique dogs are not found anywhere in any country. are security guards at government facilitiesAs a guard dog, the Central Asian Shepherd is capable of handling any task and is ready to defend its owners and their property to the last.
Ideal parameters
Like any dog breed that is officially recognized in the world, the Central Asian breed has its own standard, which all representatives of the breed must meet.
The Alabai standard has been approved more than once, and the latest version was adopted in 1993. This version is based on the standard of 1989, when the Central Asian Shepherd Dog was officially recognized by the FCI.
According to established rules, a purebred Alabai is a dog that:
- flat forehead with a weak transition to the muzzle;
- Small triangular ears. The ears can be cropped at the owner's discretion;
- broad and massive head;
- The eyes are round in shape, dark in color, and set wide apart. Alabai do not have blue eyes;
- The dog's muzzle is voluminous with a large nose, which can be either black or brown.
Even in photographs, it is clearly visible why the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is positioned as the strongest and largest dog. Muscular croup, broad back and chest, powerful neck – all this evokes both respect and admiration. An adult male can weigh up to 85 kg, and stand up to 75 cm tall at the withers. Female Alabai dogs are smaller, but not significantly so.
Color of Alabai
Taking into account the standards, quite a lot of color variations are allowed in the Alabai coat:
- Brown and grey;
- White and black;
- Brindle, piebald and spotted;
- Red and fawn.
Brown and grey;However, blue, chocolate, and liver shades are not permitted and are considered a breed fault. As for the coat, it can be long (9 cm) or short (no more than 5 cm).
Balance and calmness
Despite the fact that the Alabai is a fairly large member of the dog family, considered the strongest, it is difficult to call it dangerous. At least, owner reviews indicate so. Because the psychology of a dog, cultivated with no less scrupulousness, rather than the exterior, is worthy of admiration and respect.
The Alabai's unique emotional state is that it is completely loyal to both other animals and people, provided they are outside its protected area. Reviews from dog handlers confirm this. If the dog senses danger to its owner or property, it activates its guard functions and can even deal with an armed attacker.
Incidentally, the ability to fight off any opponent, regardless of height and weight, is the main goal of any dog that claims to be a wolfhound. But to ensure that your pet is a wolfhound at heart, you need to do a few things. testing trials that have nothing to do with either the game or dog fightingDuring testing, wolfhounds are tested for the character and fortitude typical of their fellow breeds. Incidentally, these tests are mandatory in all countries.
Raising an Alabai
This breed has some unique characteristics in its development, appearance, and character. This means that the dog doesn't fully develop until age three, and this must be taken into account when planning its upkeep, care, and training.Although, considering that the breed was originally bred for challenging living conditions, its care isn't particularly difficult. Proper care includes regular walks, a balanced diet, and periodic brushing. If the animal lives in a city apartment, then physical activity and long walks – an essential part of the program, without which it's impossible to keep a dog. It's best to consult a dog trainer or read breeder reviews about how to properly exercise your pet.
Training an Alabai is only possible after establishing a connection with it on a psycho-emotional level. Otherwise, the animal is reluctant to be trained, as experienced dog trainers have demonstrated.
Therefore, training and education of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog must be carried out in collaboration with a professional dog trainer. Only then can one be completely confident that such a strong and large dog will be a reliable guard dog, not a source of fear and problems.
I'll be honest—I wasn't very fond of Alabai dogs until I got them. They're stubborn dogs with a strong personality and don't like weak-willed people. But my little girl has her own personality. The only thing that scares me about strangers is her furtive glance and lowered head. Don't expect impeccable obedience like a Rottweiler, German Shepherd, or other service dog, and don't torment her. However, you can earn their respect with your care, but don't force it; persistence and patience are required. It's also advisable to get a female dog for beginners—it's easier to negotiate!
I've always believed that a good puppy should be expensive and should only be purchased from a reputable and reliable breeder. This applies especially to Alabai dogs! It's worth noting that Alabai dogs are not for beginners. I know well-behaved dogs of this breed, but their owners are true training professionals! At the same time, Alabai dogs are genetically programmed to make decisions independently in critical situations, as a shepherd won't always be able to give a command. Naturally, Alabai dogs thrive in a kennel; an apartment isn't enough for them.
Alabai also love children and are good-natured and excellent nannies. Because these dogs are highly territorial, I know from personal experience that a playing and running child can be safely left in the care of an Alabai—provided, of course, that the child is trained and well-behaved. This can be done even without any fencing.
