How many years do Alabai live and what determines their life expectancy?

Alabai is a breed of dogs whose original appearance has been preserved for more than five thousand years, it is also called the Central Asian Shepherd. These beautiful, massive, strong and faithful animals are designed to help people in many ways. About how many years the Alabai live, what factors affect the duration and how to prolong the life of the pet, we will discuss in our article.

A person, especially a child who first saw an adult Alabai, may be impressed by its size. Respect for this breed inspires the appearance of a dog: weight on average 50 kg, height - up to 80 cm at the withers, large physique due to wide chest, massive head, strong paws. Tough and very thick wool of medium length is designed for harsh conditions, they are not afraid of intense heat and night cold.

Since ancient times, the dog served as a guard, helped people graze herds and guard caravans in the harsh mountain conditions of Central Asia. She fearlessly fought with predators, protecting the owner and his property. Such conditions have tempered the nature of this breed - both physically and mentally, they are very hardy.

Of course, alabai is better to keep on the street, in the yard. In the fresh air, she is accustomed to it, but it is not recommended to put the animal on a chain. The dog must patrol its area, occasionally resting in a spacious aviary. A dog on a leash will be nervous and irritated, which will negatively affect their health, quality and life expectancy.

Many draw an analogy between the life expectancy of a Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai) and other Shepherd Dogs.However, thinking so wrong. Alabaev's life expectancy varies from 10 to 15 years, the maximum this period can be 17 years, but this figure is achieved under conditions favorable for the dog.

Some people keep such large pets in the apartment, not thinking about how uncomfortable the dog is in cramped conditions, especially if the owners spend most of the day at work and can pay attention to alabai only a few hours a day, taking them for short walks. Under such conditions, a dog’s life can last much less - they rarely live to be a decade old.

Limited movement, the absence of such jumping activity that is important for the Central Asian Shepherd Dog can lead to diseases of the heart, joints, weight gain, and diabetes mellitus.

How long an Alabai dog will live depends not only on where it is kept (in the apartment or on the street), but also on other important factors. Most of them depend on the owner of the dog, his literacy and willingness to bear responsibility for his pet.

Alabai is affected by a number of important factors.

• Physical activity and setting the regime of the day. The owner’s habit should include active and long walks with alabai, during which the dog receives physical activity corresponding to its breed. A person should think carefully about whether to start an Alabai, if he is not ready to actively engage and walk with a dog.
• Organization of proper nutrition, control of the body weight of the pet. Alabai are prone to gain weight, especially with age, their weight increases easily, and this leads to disease and shortened life. A large weight puts a strain on the spine of the animal, resulting in orthopedic problems with the paws. Be sure to monitor moderation in food and the balance of nutrients in it. Given the age of the dog, you should add vitamin-mineral complexes to maintain his health.
• The external atmosphere. Alabai are very sensitive to the psycho-emotional environment around them. The dog does not withstand constant stress and nervousness, conflicts and quarrels negatively affect her well-being. Categorically should not hurt the dog, sharp sounds and movements must be excluded.
• Regular care and hygiene. Important procedures for alabai are cleansing of the eyes, teeth, and ears, clipping, and grooming. The stiff coat of this dog usually does not require careful grooming, but not during the hot season. In summer or during molting, every day you should comb out Alabai, as well as bathe a dog in a pond, since the heat for it is a kind of stress. In addition, the habitat of the dog should be kept clean, the waste products behind it should be cleaned, otherwise the spread of bacteria and infections cannot be avoided.
• Continuous health monitoring. Visits to the veterinarian should not be neglected; they should be done on a regular basis, preferably by one specialist. Over the course of a dog’s life, it is required to get a lot of vaccinations, to conduct anthelmintic and anti-flea preventative measures.

Providing the necessary and comfortable conditions for his dog, the owner can thereby extend its life. In addition to proper nutrition, hygiene and a visit to the veterinarian, you should follow a few important recommendations.

• Protect Asian from traumatic situations. During walks it is necessary to use a muzzle, a strong leash and protective equipment for the paws of a dog - a vulnerable part of its body.
• Categorically it is impossible to feed alabai sweet, salty, spicy, floury, even if she really wants all this.
• It is important for the dog to ensure constant communication with the owner. Alabai must constantly feel his relevance and need, otherwise he may fall into a long depression. To serve a person, to protect his home and territory, while not being on the chain - this is true happiness Alabai.
• The owner of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog needs to notice in time any change in the behavior of the pet. A bad mood, refusal to eat or play can signal an Asian feeling unwell.

For more information on alaba, see the next video.