Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai). Description, features, types, care and price of the breed

• Dogs

When choosing an Alabai puppy, you need to determine the pedigree and this is perhaps a critical moment. Purebred Alabai are rare; dogs are usually bred by crossing with other breeds of four-legged animals. For breeding purposes, it is rational to buy an Alabai puppy from an elite breeder.

Accordingly, you will have to count on a high price. The cost of a purebred Alabai reaches 25,000 rubles . Starting price – 10,000 rubles .

Claims to the pedigree can be omitted by those who want to acquire an excellent service pet that is capable of protecting both property and people. Such a dog feels great in the territory and does not get lost in large locations. In other words, it is not elite Central Asian Shepherd Dogs that are suitable for protection. In addition, the price for an Alabai puppy will be significantly reduced - about 5,000-8,000 rubles .

Description and features

The Alabai dog is powerful, hardy and massive. It belongs to large breeds. She was bred in Asia as a fighter and watchman. For a shepherd, this is an irreplaceable animal. He tends to bear responsibility for people and the animals he protects.

In some countries, representatives of this breed are exploited in dog fighting. In a fight, they show such qualities as courage, fearlessness, amazing endurance and a focus on victory.

Fear of defeat does not frighten strong Central Asian Shepherds, as they are well aware that few canines can defeat them. It’s not for nothing that they are classified as wolfhounds. Yes, such a dog will certainly win in a fight with his forest ancestor, the wolf. He is stronger, fiercer and more resilient.

Strength is the main advantage of the alabai. It manifests itself in everything: in his gait, his gaze, and even his interaction with others. However, the dog is wrongly classified as a fighting breed. Anger and unreasonably arising suspicions are not characteristic of him.

Such a dog always adequately assesses the situation, performing exclusively service work in the house. However, in inexperienced hands, this breed can become aggressive and uncontrollable. She needs to be raised properly. Therefore, we strongly do not recommend getting an Alabai for those who have never previously kept large and strong dogs in the house.

This is one of the best guard dogs. She does not need to intimidate the owner's enemies so that they do not enter his house, since they will probably be scared at the sight of a giant beast. Few people dare to independently cross the area where this dog lives.

He will not allow anyone to do this except his family members. By the way, he becomes very attached to them. The Central Asian Shepherd always strives to protect its owners, so it prefers to be close to them. But she needs personal space.

Advice ! Large dogs living in the house must have an iron enclosure. We recommend building a booth there and putting hay in it. Thanks to this, the animal will not freeze at low temperatures.

Previously, such powerful animals were used as guards. They notified people of a possible threat by loud barking. They are quite rude. For people who are annoyed by loud sounds made by dogs, this breed is definitely not suitable.

She will bark at every person who steps into the area she protects. But, with the right educational strategy, the dog will stop doing this if its owner is nearby.

Breed standard

The weight of the animal is from 45 to 65 kg. Males are heavier than females. The height at the withers of a medium-sized individual is 63-65 cm. The breed standard allows for an exaggeration of this mark. Some male Central Asian Shepherd Dogs grow up to 75 cm in height.

Alabai in the photo is depicted as proud and purposeful. This is completely consistent with his character. His build is very massive. The physique is powerful, dense, but lacks relief. The dog's muscles are quite strong, especially on the hind legs. The lower back is clearly expressed.

The skin of the Central Asian Shepherd is very thick. This allows her to keep warm, especially in winter. By the way, the dog rarely gets cold, because in addition to thick fur, there is a dense undercoat throughout its entire body. The length of its fur should not exceed 9-10 cm.

The muscles on the paws are well developed. The forelimbs are shorter than the hind limbs. The tail is located high on the lower back, rounded, very fluffy. Some owners prefer to dock it. This is advisable, since in a moment of joy, the alabai swings it wildly and can cause pain to others.

The luxuriant fur on the withers makes these dogs beautiful. It looks like a lion's mane. Their head is rectangular and quite large. The jaws are powerful and wide. The Central Asian Shepherd has a very rough look.

This impression is created due to the presence of her brow ridges. The teeth are white, long, very sharp. The dog's eyes are deep-set and most often have a dark tint. According to the breed standard, the Alabai's nose should be large and black.

Development 1 to 12 months

The table below shows how the size of the Alabai changes as it grows, as well as how the puppy develops.

Character

Let us immediately note that the Central Asian Shepherd is not an easy dog. She is willful, proud, prone to leadership and primacy. But, once in the hands of an experienced dog breeder, she becomes obedient and working.

The character of the animal has been developed by breeders over several centuries. The forefathers of the breed sought to breed a dog that would protect people and hate other four-legged animals.

These qualities would allow the dog to become universal. It was used by farmers, animal fight organizers and ordinary people in need of a kind pet. Courage is the main quality of this proud animal.

It is not afraid of absolutely anything, but there is one thing that can agitate the Alabai - a long separation from the owner. The owner is the main person for him. The attitude towards him determines the dog’s behavior in any area. If there is respect for the owner, the dog will be obedient and well-managed, and vice versa.

The Central Asian Shepherd will not allow anyone to offend the people who live with it. Even in the absence of respect, she will fiercely defend them if the situation demands it. We are talking about physical injuries.

Yes, the Alabai breed can attack a person if it feels threatened by him. Trying to protect her household, she will stop at nothing. Therefore, such a dog can be called an excellent protector.

He loves and protects his family, but is fierce towards strangers. In the absence of competent upbringing from an early age, the dog will become a serious threat to others. In some countries of the world it is considered a cold weapon.

On the command “Fas”, the dog will attack a person and can kill him. He is often driven by a bloodthirsty instinct. However, this does not make him a killing machine. Do not forget that domestic dogs are controlled creatures.

Representatives of service dog breeds become especially attached to one person, in whom they see a leader. In the absence of one, the breadwinner becomes their owner, that is, the person who fills their bowl with food.

Alabai will never treat him with respect, since he perceives him as a being who caters to his primary needs. In this case, the dog treats the owner as a consumer. What should its owner be like?

A person who is going to have such a pet must be strong in all respects. Under no circumstances should you show him weakness, otherwise the beast will consider that he is more important, since he is not afraid of anything.

Dog handlers insist that the owner of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog should be a man. Practice shows that a formidable dog is more loyal to the stronger sex. However, with the right approach, even a physically weak woman can win his trust.

This is one of those breeds that does not like excessive noise and commotion. Its representatives like peace. Alabais are home guardians of silence, only they can break it. If one of the household members starts a quarrel with another, the dog will probably move away from the epicenter of events and go in search of a quieter place.

He likes walks. A well-mannered large dog on a leash can also be manageable. Being on the street, he strives to fully comprehend the world around him. A problem will arise if he meets cats on his way. Central Asian Shepherds hate them. However, a well-mannered pet will not chase an animal because it knows that this will upset its owner.

Kinds

One type of this breed has been standardized. But, it can be divided depending on the color of the coat. Alabais are born pure black, white, spotted, gray, black and white, light red and beige-red. The most valuable representative of the breed is black with white markings on the neck, chest and back. It costs significantly more.

Care and maintenance

Some careless owners put Central Asian Shepherds on a chain. What will they become in this case? Aggressive, uncontrollable, suspicious and uncontrollable. A resentment that a chained animal does not realize will have a destructive effect on its character.

Remember, a domestic dog, even a watchdog, can live in a booth, but only of its own free will! You can’t lock him in an enclosure, especially a cramped one. He must have room to move. An Alabai raised in love will not become a threat to others, so you should not hide him from the outside world behind seven locks.

Give your pet freedom. Of course, we are not talking about the fact that he should walk down the street without a leash and muzzle. Speaking of walks. You will have to go for a walk with this animal often, from 3 times a day. He needs exercise, new experiences and communication with other living beings.

The Central Asian Shepherd does not require special care. We periodically recommend:

• Wash her face.
• Remove plaque from teeth with a brush.
• Wash paws from dirt, remove small pebbles between the pads of the feet.
• Comb the coat, especially in summer.
• File off claws.

These are standard grooming measures that every experienced dog breeder knows.

For discipline purposes, we recommend feeding the Alabai during a certain period of the day, for example, from 7 to 8 am. He must get used to stability in the house, so he must live knowing his schedule.

Keeping such a huge pet in an apartment is quite problematic. He needs a lot of space to feel comfortable. But the main thing for a dog is the attention of his loved ones. He needs a lot of communication and affection, although in appearance he seems distant.

In fact, these dogs are loving and always crave affection. Owners' touch makes them happy. In the absence of tactile contact with household members, they become unhappy.

A guard dog left to its own devices is dangerous. Her socialization cannot be left to chance. The owner of the Central Asian Shepherd must regularly communicate with it, monitoring the process of its development.

When is weaning from the mother?

At about 2 weeks, complementary foods are already introduced into the puppy’s diet and every day he depends less and less on his mother. But he still needs her - the puppy adopts the basic norms of behavior from the bitch.

To make the puppy’s adaptation to new living conditions as easy and painless as possible, it is better to separate him from his mother at 8-12 weeks of life.

At this age, he has a positive attitude towards other animals getting closer to people, is ready to learn and has not yet had time to feel like a leader.

Nutrition

This may sound expected, but Alabai will have to be fed with a lot of food. They are large and massive, therefore, to maintain good functioning, they need to receive carbohydrates, minerals, beneficial extracts, proteins and other nutrients every day.

At the age of 2 to 8 months, the growth process of such a dog occurs. At this stage it is important to lay the foundation of his immune system. Proper feeding of the Alabai puppy determines whether it will get sick in the future.

So, the main product that he must eat daily until his final formation is meat. Usually, this product is given to shepherd dogs raw, but we advise you to first pour boiling water over it and then cool it. It's better to boil the meat. This will minimize the risk of parasites entering the animal’s body.

In addition, give your puppy dairy products, stewed vegetables and cereals every day. He needs all this. The following indicators indicate that your pet is eating properly:

• Shiny smooth coat.
• Activity, mobility.
• Satisfied look.
• Robust appearance.

Some people, who do not know about the rules of feeding Alabais, lead them to exhaustion. Many people simply cannot afford such a pet. It requires a large amount of food, at least 800 grams per day, keep that in mind.

An adult Central Asian Shepherd can be fed boiled cereals with added meat or dry food. The second option is much simpler, because standing at the stove for several hours every day to prepare the daily amount of food for the dog is tiring and problematic.

How to choose a healthy Turkmen Alabai puppy?

When choosing a dog, you need to find out about the number of puppies in the litter. The argument for purchasing an animal must be the presence of no more than 5 brothers and sisters. This criterion reduces the risk of getting a dog prone to rickets and other serious diseases. It would be a good idea to ask the breeder about the age of the baby’s mother. The optimal age for the birth of puppies for a female is 2-8 years.

Regarding the puppy itself, it is important to take a closer look at 2 nuances: the health and mobility of the animal (which are interrelated). The baby must have good apatite, be active and playful. His fur should shine.

Everyone has an image in their head of what a healthy dog ​​should look like. You should select a pet with the correct set of limbs, ears and tail. The bite of the teeth should be scissor-shaped - you need to take the time to check the correct closure of the jaw.

Much is done out of pity, but this is a bad driver for buying an Alabai, so it is not worth purchasing a puppy with visually obvious abnormalities (umbilical hernia, crooked paws, too little weight).

Reproduction and lifespan

Breeders of large breeds often experiment with puppy colors. For example, they breed dark males with light females. In the case of Central Asian Shepherds, this is acceptable, since the standard allows for a large number of color options for puppies.

The main requirement for candidates for mating is health. Dogs should not have parasites, otherwise they will definitely be passed on to future puppies. The male and female must be strong, healthy and fit. The optimal age for their reproduction is 2 years.

Before accepting the owner of an Alabai bitch into his territory, the owner of a male dog should give him milk. According to experts, this will increase the chances of conception.

It is possible to accurately determine a dog’s pregnancy only a month after mating. Her tummy will become noticeably rounder. At the stage of bearing offspring, care should be taken to organize a protein diet for her. You need to include cottage cheese, cheese and milk in your dog’s menu. Alabai faithfully serve the owner from 10 to 14 years.

Price

There are several kennels in Moscow where Central Asian Shepherds are bred. There they monitor their health, weight, nutrition, etc. We recommend making a purchase at such an institution.

The price of an Alabai from a breeding Moscow nursery for 2022 is 35-40 thousand rubles. Private dog breeders sell puppies of this breed much cheaper, from 5 to 20 thousand rubles.

Before you take the animal home, evaluate its appearance. He must be strong, curious and cheerful. A 2-month-old Central Asian Shepherd puppy must remain stable. If he falls while walking or running, he probably doesn't have enough calcium in his body. You shouldn't buy such a dog.

Girl

The girl's height is 60-69 centimeters, her weight is 40-65 kilograms

Sexual dimorphism in this breed is clearly visible. Alabai girls are usually smaller in size and not as strong.

There are also differences in temperament. Bitches are more resourceful and cunning. They also absorb material worse during training, unlike the opposite sex.

Education and training

Despite their innate aggressiveness towards strangers, Alabais can be manageable. But in order for your pet to be obedient and controlled, we recommend basing your relationship with him on a hierarchy. What does it mean? The dog must know that he occupies the last place in the family, and the owner takes the first place. Only if there is respect will he obey the person.

Basic rules for interacting with the Central Asian Shepherd:

1. Always punish your dog if he shows anger towards anyone. She must understand that aggression is not the norm.
2. Never pet her if she is angry. This way you encourage negative emotion directed at you or another person.
3. You should not give her food from your plate.
4. Don't let your dog snatch any objects from your hands. Remember, he must lose any game. If the animal wins, it will probably consider itself more important than the person and will cease to treat him with respect.
5. When communicating with unfamiliar people, remove the alabai from yourself. He can only come over after you finish the conversation.

For an inexperienced owner, having such a huge pet in the house can cause difficulties. But remember the main thing - you can’t be afraid of him. A person only needs to show weakness once and the animal will forever lose respect for him.

The independence and pride of the Central Asian Shepherd must be fought. If you see that she is trying to dominate, stop it. Scold the obstinate Alabai for his waywardness, but just don’t beat him! He will never forgive physical damage, like any other smart dog.

It is easier to raise a puppy of this breed correctly than to subsequently correct your own gaps in its socialization. We advise you to spend time with him every day, communicate with him, teach him commands, go for walks, etc.

Such a dog must know: place, lie down, sit, give me a paw, fetch, ugh, you can’t, come to me, voice. All these commands are better absorbed and practiced at a young age, that is, up to 1-1.5 years.

One of the basic commands that it is recommended to teach such a dog is nearby. Practiced in an open space, with a leash and collar. Hold the dog close to you, saying the word “near.” After walking a few meters, stop.

She must sit down. If this does not happen, pull the leash and say this word. When the dog takes a sitting position, treat him with something tasty to encourage him. Continue the lesson.

Possible diseases and methods of treating them

The Central Asian Shepherd is one of the strongest breeds. She is muscular and resilient, beautiful and graceful. But even such a dog is prone to illness. The main problem of the Alabais is parasites. It’s hard not to “catch” them, especially if your pet spends a lot of time outside.

Even if there are no fleas on his body, still give him medicine for these pests. It should be prescribed by a veterinarian who previously examined the dog. He will also calculate the dosage of the drug.

To prevent an animal from becoming infected with a dangerous disease, such as plague, it must be vaccinated in the first months of its life. The veterinarian informs the breeder about the vaccination plan.

If you want your pet to never get sick and always feel great, don’t skimp on his food! In addition to high-quality dry food, give him vitamins, fruits, berries and vegetables.

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the Alabai . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what Alabai looks like.