Alabai: characteristics, types, tips for choosing and care

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is a breed with a long history. These dogs managed to maintain their beautiful initial features and amazing external indicators inherited from their ancestors. Due to their amazing qualities, these large dogs are third in the list of the strongest dogs in the world. Alabai and today do not lose their relevance, as they are good companions, excellent watchmen, loyal friends.

Central Asian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Molossian. This name was given to the breeds descended from pickling dogs, they were raised in Egypt and Assyria in antiquity. Then, thanks to their unique characteristics, they became widespread in Hellas, Italy and eventually spread to other countries. There are other names of Alabaevs: Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Tobet, Turkmen Wolfhound, Asian.

The formation of the breed took place over about 4,000 years in wide areas, stretching from Central Asia to China. In the veins of these animals, the blood of the oldest Tibetan dogs flows, accompanying the many nomads of that time. In addition, they are relatives of the mastiffs who lived in the Tibetan mountains and the ferocious ruthless fighting dogs of Mesopotamia.

For the first time, a standard regulating the basic characteristics of Turkmen wolfhounds was drawn up and approved in 1990 in Turkmenistan.A few years later, they adopted the standard for Central Asian Shepherd Dogs.

Alabai are incredibly large and one of the most powerful dogs in the world. They are characterized by a massive body with dense coat of predominantly short or medium length with a rather dense undercoat.

According to FCI standards, the indicators of mature individuals are as follows: male growth is 70 cm, bitches are 65 cm. Minimum weight is 50 kg and 40 kg, respectively. Other characteristics of the breed: large body, massive sternum and voluminous back. The head is large with a flat forehead, a large muzzle with a large black or brown nose.

The eyes are wide apart, mostly round. Ears are small, in addition, acceptable and cropped. The paws of the Alabaev are compact relative to the body, while strong. Both natural fluffy tail and cropped are allowed.

Consider the characteristics of the breed in more detail.

In its external indicators, Alabai is more like a real calf. The average weight of Alabaev boys is about 70 kg. The weight of girls is from 55 to 65 kg.

At the withers, the height of an adult male is 70 cm. He reaches the greatest growth by three years. Like other breeds, females are predominantly lower than males. Their height is 62-67 cm, but this is quite impressive. The largest are the Alabai shepherds from Asia, whose growth at the withers is 90 cm.

Alabai can have different varieties of color - black and white, reddish, brindle or even gray. All color options are acceptable, except for one - a mixture of gray and brown shades.

Alabai live quite a long time. The life expectancy of a pet with quality care is from 11 to 15 years.

Asians are famous for their coarse wool with an incredibly thick undercoat. The wool forms a massive mane on the neck, combed behind the ears and on the back of the paws and tail. Thick skin and hard coat protect the dog's body from enemy bites.

Alabai have a large symmetrical head with a blunt muzzle, not tapering to the nose. The skull is flattened with a pronounced occipital protuberance.

A look of self-superiority is noticeable. This effect is created due to heavy brow arches and small, widely spaced round eyes. The color of the eyes is similar to the color of the coat or a darker shade. The look in dogs is often moody, slightly inquisitive and incredulous.

Asians have a very developed intelligence.

They also have a stable and balanced nervous and mental state.

Asians have large white teeth, wide at the base, located close to each other. There are 42 of them. The incisors are located like a guillotine, which provides a dead grip. The jaws of the Asians are very massive, the entire lower jaw is closed with fleshy lips. It should be noted that single broken incisors that do not affect the bite do not affect the assessment of the dog.

Dogs of this breed are characterized by small and low ears. Ear stopping depends on the laws of specific countries. Most often, the ears, like the tail, stop in childhood.

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has a short, but muscular and powerful neck.

Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are characterized by a perfectly balanced body with a muscular high withers. Their back is straight, a little short, while quite strong, the lower back is convex. The croup of these dogs is wide, with developed muscles. According to standards, the height at the withers is 1-3 cm higher than the height in the sacral part.

According to the large size, the Alabaevs and humerus are too long, with massive forearms and large carpal joints.The limbs have developed muscles. By generally accepted standards, the length of the front legs to the elbow should be 50-52% of the height of the dog at the withers.

The front legs are straight and necessarily parallel. The shoulder blades should fit snugly against the chest.

Thanks to its outstanding parameters, the Alabai look menacing. The best guard is hard to find.

Many breeders are very responsible for their pets. Such behavior helps to quickly identify health problems and take appropriate measures in a timely manner. The following table with average indicators will help to monitor the development of an Alabai puppy.

Before you get such a large pet, like Alabai, you should carefully study all the characteristics of the breed, as well as familiarize yourself with the rules of keeping and character traits. Particular attention should be paid to the positive and negative qualities of these dogs.

Advantages of the breed:

• well-developed intellectual abilities;
• special devotion to the owner;
• good nature to the household;
• high security qualities;
• a sense of pride, courage and courage;
• patience;
• good health;
• perfectly tolerates outdoor content and temperature extremes;
• neat appearance even with minimal care;
• unpretentiousness, lack of selectivity in food;
• moderate appetite for outstanding size.

Not without drawbacks, which include the following points:

• aggressive behavior when strangers appear;
• heavy social adaptation;
• the need for a large territory for maintenance;
• regular need for systematic physical activity;
• unpredictable behavior in unfamiliar conditions;
• annual molt;
• large sizes requiring certain skills from the owner;
• not very good cohabitation with dogs of other breeds.

In such conditions, the dog will not allow itself to show aggression to the household, but will not listen to their commands. They need a confident owner, able to demonstrate their superiority to the dog, with bright leadership qualities.

It is quite difficult to conduct correction of behavior in adult representatives of the breed, therefore, experts recommend a responsible approach to training from puppyhood and stop all pet attempts to disobedience.

When breeding an existing plant variety, alabai, the Turkmen alabay was used as the basis. There is also a connection between Alabai and Afghanistan Shepherd dogs, Spanish and Tibetan mastiffs.

Each country has its own requirements for an ideal, high-quality Asian.

There are several varieties of alabaev.

This variety is a mixed breed German Shepherd and Siberian Husky. It is characterized by large dimensions and a thick coat. Among the qualities of a dog are obedience, intelligence, sociability and excellent protective reflexes.

These dogs appeared after crossing with the Tibetan mastiff. This variety is quite expensive. The Tibetan Alabai reliably guarded the herds of nomadic tribes. Dogs are characterized by special endurance.Only strong and seasoned dogs with excellent musculature could survive in the harsh Himalayas.

Thick and durable coat in the neck area forms a voluminous mane, which protects the dog from cold and predators. Height - 60-67 cm, weight - 60 kg. Among other characteristics are slanting eyes of predominantly brown color. Possible color options: black, pure gray and gray with a slight tan, coffee or even golden. The character of the Tibetan Alabais is calm and stubborn.

They are also called malamutes. Outwardly, they are similar to wolves. Alaskan species living in harsh northern conditions is especially hardy and unpretentious. The main application of the Alaskan Alabaev is the movement of goods in severe cold climates.

The specimens are quite high - about 77 cm at the withers, weight - 55 kg. Slender and sinewy dogs. They are sociable, friendly, like to be in the spotlight. Dogs have high intellectual abilities and stubbornness. Their friendliness and every lack of aggressiveness do not allow them to become good guards.

The ancestors of the Turkmen Alabai are Tibetan mastiffs. These are tall and heavy dogs. The owners turn them on as excellent watchmen. They do not belong to fighting dogs, but without special problems they can protect themselves.

They are characterized by ferocious disposition and devotion, mental stability and poise. They always strive for leadership, so dog handlers do not recommend keeping them close to children and the elderly. These huge dogs can be a serious danger to them.

The oldest variety. The main application is the protection of territories, as well as hunting and fighting dogs. They are famous for swiftness of reaction, endurance, courage. They kept the good nature. Height - 70-80 cm, weight - 55-65 kg.

The color is mainly gray with yellow or brown spots. They received the greatest application in the field of protection. They need a lot of free territory in open space, as well as systematic physical activity.

Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are incredibly bold, balanced and unflappable defenders. These are fairly independent dogs, not accustomed to retreat. Alabai are able to combine fighting skills with measured and calm, they are considered one of the smartest breeds in the world.

Due to the waywardness inherent in the breed, shepherd dogs require professional training from an early age and socialization. It should be noted that the reaction to stimuli in Central Asian shepherds is quite lengthy, for their distraction it is necessary to eliminate the provoking factor or to distract attention using another irritant.

The surrounding people are greatly impressed not only by the very large sizes of adult Alabaev, but also by such basic character traits as courage, endurance, pride. They can stand up for themselves in any situation. At the same time, they exhibit aggressive behavior in relation to other dogs. This character trait has been forming in shepherd dogs for many millennia.

For them, this is a colossal reason for concern, which shepherds cannot cope with. An Asian without a preliminary signal can grab a dog by the head and bite it instantly. No one can stop Alabai! That is why the owners should carefully choose a place for jogging and walking, not forgetting the safety of others.

These watchdogs like to bark at night and do it loudly, which can ruin relations with neighbors. The rest of the time they are calm and patient, do not create a lot of noise. Like other pets, they cannot resist affection and comfort.

Alabai is the very embodiment of calm and greatness. It is interesting that they are cautious only to strangers, while they are very attached to their masters. Shepherd dogs can be attributed to family dogs, loving close interaction with people. When kept in homes, Alabai quickly become members of the family. They show sincere love for children, with proper education, get along with other pets.

It should be noted that watchdogs are not suitable for everyone. They need a smart and confident master who can show their dominance. Representatives of the breed will not submit to timid people with a mild character. Among the people whom they consider to be their family, the Alabai behaves kindly and playfully.

Being puppies, alabai are the most friendly. As they grow older, their naivety and good nature decrease significantly, they are replaced by a desire to take a dominant place in the pack and expel strangers from their territory.

Only in this way can we ensure that they do not pose a threat to the lives of family members and other pets, teach them to limit themselves.

During socialization, it is important to explain to the dogs who is the leader. Alabai living in the family consider family members to be their flock and strive for dominance. It is important to clearly state responsibilities and define rules. It is important for shepherd dogs to show that a person occupies a higher position in the pack, that it is a person who has the right to make a decision. This is the only possible way to establish the right relationship.

Choosing a purebred puppy that meets all the requirements and standards is a very difficult task. Just choose by appearance does not work. The breed has a large breeding heterogeneity, which may affect the standards.

It is recommended to buy Alabai at the age of a puppy from experienced Alabaev breeders or in nurseries specializing in breeding Central Asian shepherds. This is a guarantee of thoroughbred, as well as mental and physical health of the dog. They can evaluate the litter and get acquainted with their pedigree, look at the parents of the puppies.

Specialists advise paying special attention to some important details.

Recommended to get Alabai in age about two months. Usually, upon reaching this age, breeders conduct a course of compulsory vaccination. Puppies can already do without a mother, ready for training.

More healthy is considered to be offspring obtained from bitches at the age of 2-8 years. Childbirth should occur with an interval of at least a year.

Experts say that the maximum number of babies in a litter is six.

The girls are curious and active, but not too confident in themselves. If the family grows up little children, the choice is better to stop on girls.

By nature, Alabai is a born leader. These traits must necessarily be noticeable in the puppy. To check, drop something on the floor or tap on the aviary. A puppy who is the first to pay attention to the sounds or run up to the grate of the aviary is an option suitable for you.

The puppy should be active, have a good appetite, a shiny short coat. Excessively long hair in puppies may indicate a lack of breed purity, a possible mixture with Caucasians. The nose should be moist, and the ears and eyes must be clean. Traces of an eating disorder are unacceptable under the tail. The puppy should be selected medium in size relative to siblings.

The most important thing is to make sure that you need alabai before purchasing a puppy. A big dog is a big responsibility.

Please note that along with the puppy you must be given a veterinary passport, which contains all the information about vaccinating the animal. Further responsibility for vaccination rests with the owner of the dog. And also the puppy metric is passed to the owner, which is later exchanged for the pedigree. Remember that buying a puppy Alabay without appropriate documents is fraught with unpredictable consequences!

Future owners are tormented by the question - which sex to acquire a puppy. You should know that bitches are smaller than males, and it’s easier to care for them. The only problem may be regular estrus. If you are not going to breed, it is better to sterilize the dog.

The owners often have a question - what is the name of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog, which name is best for the boy, and which is for the girl. These same questions are often found in avid dog breeder forums. Oriental names are more suitable for Asians.

Here are the most suitable nicknames for pets.

Alabai belong to unhampered dogs. The formation of the breed took place in difficult conditions, unpretentiousness passed on to today's Asians. This does not preclude the need for appropriate pet care.

Those wishing to have alabai must remember that not everyone can find a common language with this difficult animal. This is due to the dog’s self-confident and proud character.

From the timely upbringing of the puppy directly depends on what he will become in adulthood - whether he can be a true friend, a responsible watchman, will he not be dangerous for family members.

Due to the large size and free temper, the dog is not suitable for permanent life in the apartment. The most suitable option is accommodation on the court territory of a private house.

These conditions apply to an adult, and it is better to keep a small alabai at first in the house, arranging its place away from drafts. The pet should have the opportunity and place to rest privately in silence from the household. A puppy needs a soft bed that protects the animal from the cold and creates comfort.

If the pet likes the place, he will not start looking for a place in the apartment more comfortable. If you still keep Alabai in the apartment, you must necessarily walk your pet twice a day, walking should take about two hours. Be sure to use a strong leash and a muzzle.

Since puppyhood, the pet remembers family members and other pets living with him in the same territory. Only their Asian perceives in adulthood. To all the rest, it is often aggressive. These instincts went to the shepherd at the genetic level. She protects the territory entrusted to her around the clock, so if the potential owner likes to often receive guests, then this breed should be abandoned.

Keeping an Asian at home is a troublesome and difficult task. An adult dog also takes a lot of time and effort.

You can create a diet suitable for Asian shepherds yourself. The main rule - feeding should provide alabai fully nutrients and meet its needs for an active lifestyle.The dog does not need a lot of carbohydrates, so if you see that the pet is rapidly gaining weight, you need to adjust the menu to avoid obesity.

Despite its impressive size, Alabai has moderate appetite. Compared to other large breeds, Asians eat a little, so feeding is usually not a problem.

By historical coincidence, Alabai is a breed of dog that prefers natural food. The main part of the diet should consist of meat, cereals and a significant amount of fiber contained in vegetables. Experts recommend adding dairy products to the diet.

But do not force the dog if she refuses them, the same applies to fish. These foods are not essential in the diet. It is risky to give the river fish to the dog, it may contain parasites that are dangerous to the health of the pet. Breeders recommend adding vitamins intended for a certain age of shepherds to natural nutrition.

Among the required products, the following ingredients should be included in the dog's diet:

• raw beef (for puppies, meat must first be steamed);
• offal;
• bird (chicken, duck);
• cereals;
• vegetables (cabbage, carrots, greens, zucchini);
• apples
• eggs
• dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt).

Prohibited products include:

• chocolate;
• White bread;
• tubular bones;
• pork;
• potatoes;
• peas, soy;
• pearl barley and semolina;
• spicy food.

It is forbidden to feed a dog from his table. Food for pets needs to be prepared separately and always fresh, and half-eaten leftovers should be removed from the bowl.

If you are a proponent of feeding dogs with artificial prepared foods, this is also allowed. Be sure to keep in mind that for puppies or elderly dogs you should buy super-premium food. Premium food is also suitable for young animals. Lower quality feeds for Asians are unacceptable.

Choose ready-made rations should be carefully. It is necessary that the feed fully satisfy all the nutritional needs of the dog and do no harm. Premium and super premium feeds are best bought in specialized stores.

These feeds include products of the following brands:

• Pro Plan;
• Hills;
• Acana
• Pronature;
• Savarra

It should be noted that high-quality feed is expensive. You can not save on the nutrition of these large dogs, since the health and longevity of your pet depend on a balanced diet.

The powerful jaws of Alabaev require regular training; for this, solid foods should be included in the menu. Special bones made from bovine veins are well suited.

Another advantage of high quality feed is they do not contain artificial flavors or flavor enhancers. It is for this reason that dogs are not always willing to try them. The animal needs more time to adapt.

Alabai wool is capable of self-cleaning, so it is often not necessary to wash it. Particular attention should be paid to other hygiene procedures. Here are the main ones.

• You need to brush Alabai twice a month. This procedure helps prevent the formation of tartar. In addition, it is necessary to periodically inspect the teeth to detect stuck foreign bodies and remove them when detected.
• Ears should be treated once a week, it is necessary to wipe the inside of the auricle with wet wipes. Abundant contaminants are removed with a bandage soaked in a solution of hydrogen peroxide.
• Eye cleaning is done daily with a weak broth of chamomile.
• Claws shorten if necessary most often the dogs themselves grind them on the asphalt. Only Alabai, who walk mainly on the grass, have to help. It is necessary to cut with a clipper only the solid, dead part of the claw without blood vessels. Then sharp edges are ground with a file.
• You rarely need to bathe an Asian, about two to three times a year, one bathing must be carried out after seasonal molting.
• Abundant molting occurs in the spring. So that the thick coat does not stray into tangles, the dog needs to be combed with a brush of medium hardness. First, when combing, all dirt is removed, then the procedure is continued with a thick comb with rounded teeth. Scratching should be on the growth of wool. Experts recommend accustoming Alabaev to combing from puppyhood.

Training Asian Shepherd Dogs is a complex process that requires special skills. To achieve high results, it is better to entrust this to an experienced dog handler. First, the puppy takes an obedience course, then he is taught walking in a muzzle and on a leash. These are important skills, since the Alabaev have an extremely unpredictable reaction to external stimuli. Asians should be trained in at least half an hour a day.

During training, do not forget that Asians are extremely vindictive and touchy. It is not recommended to apply harsh upbringing measures to them and suppress their will, scolding pets. This may result in loss of contact.

In about three months, the Alabaev finally formed character, after which it will be very difficult for you to change the established model of animal behavior. It is strictly forbidden to hurt representatives of this breed. No need to raise your voice to screams, make sudden movements. In response to such actions, the shepherd can lose control of himself and even cripple greatly.

From an early age, it is necessary to teach giving food to the owner, in a similar way the pet understands who is the leader of the pack and authority. In no case can not indulge the pet's whims - he can pick up the reins in his paws.

Alabai quickly learn standard teams. This is facilitated by the high mental abilities of the animal. Most often, some problems in training arise due to the complex nature and waywardness.

Alabaev is taught all basic teams, namely:

• "To me!";
• "Nearby!";
• "Sit!";
• “Lie down!”;
• "Stand!";
• "A place!";
• "Walk!".

Commands should be given by voice and be sure to be accompanied by clear gestures. The dog needs to be trained to respond to both options. You should not expect that the Asian will begin to perform with pleasure the circus team “aport” or something similar. These huge dogs have become accustomed to living in a mode of constant energy saving, so they won’t do anything without good reason.

Of course, the Asians have a complex character, far from complaisant. It takes a lot of time and effort to train. Experts recommend paying special attention to three main points.

• Puberty. At the age of 8-12 months, the puppy has a teenage period. This is a time of maximum disobedience and obstinacy. The owner needs to be especially patient during this period. A similar situation is usually repeated at 2-2.5 years. Fortunately, this is a temporary phenomenon.
• A clear leader by nature. For centuries, Alabai consider themselves leaders, these qualities are passed down from generation to generation. They can only yield leadership positions to those whose leadership qualities will be more pronounced. This is not surprising, for centuries they have led the flocks and did not allow disobedience. It is not easy to be led by an animal that has been leading for centuries.
• Food aggression. This moment is most pronounced in young individuals. Feeding is preceded by an aggressive reaction, which often becomes the cornerstone. To eliminate this problem helps non-stop systematic work, showing the pet that you give him food, and not a bowl or refrigerator.

In their reviews, Alabaev owners unanimously agree that this is the best guard breed in the world.In addition, they note that dogs are not particularly demanding in food and care, they can live in a booth and aviary without problems.

According to the numerous reviews of the owners of Central Asian Shepherd Dogs, they always violently guard the territory entrusted to them, they will never let outsiders into it, and they will never give insults to the household. The owners also note some difficulties that they had to face after acquiring a pet. These include difficulties in training, the need for regular classes and the use of strong-willed education.

Additional difficulties include the need for daily long walks and runs, without which the shepherd can lose shape, gain extra weight or problems with joints. People who are just about to purchase this large dog should definitely pay attention to these moments.

Besides, the hosts agree that the Alabai have high intellectual abilitiesare loyal friends and brave defenders. Hardy dogs that love freedom are especially suitable for people living in rural areas, as shepherd dogs need a large area for walking. With proper upbringing, these huge animals can become real family favorites!

Find out more about Alabai from the next video.