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Central Asian shepherd dog

The Central Asian Shepherd, known as the Alabai, is one of the oldest livestock guardian types, found across Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and neighbouring regions, shaped by thousands of years of working alongside herders rather than by any breeding programme.

It stands 65 to 78 centimetres, weighs 40 to 80 kilograms and lives twelve to fifteen years, which is notably long for a dog of that size — a consequence of natural selection rather than show breeding. It is calm, confident and utterly independent, and it does not seek human direction. Like other guardians it works at night and uses its voice, and it is a serious undertaking outside a working context.

Origin
Central Asia; an ancient landrace guardian
Size
65–78 cm; 40–80 kg
Lifespan
12–15 years — long for the size
Coat
Short or medium double coat
Temperament
Calm, confident and wholly independent
Health
Robust for a giant breed; hip dysplasia, bloat

Related: Anatolian shepherd dog · Australian shepherd · Bohemian shepherd · Bucovina shepherd dog · Caucasian shepherd dog

2 central asian shepherd dog photos, newest first

  • Parsnip, a central asian shepherd dog

    Parsnip

    Parsnip was promoted to pastry chef confronting a leaning cake; unfortunately, a domino line stops one piece before the finish.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Parsnip, a central asian shepherd dog

    Parsnip

    Nothing about Parsnip's expression is an accident.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a central asian shepherd dog

The independence is not disobedience. A guardian bred to act alone will assess a situation and decide, and training builds cooperation rather than compliance. Handlers expecting a shepherd dog's responsiveness misread the breed entirely.

They are territorial and will defend what they consider theirs. Fencing and a controlled approach to visitors are essential.

They are healthier and longer-lived than most giant breeds, because the landrace was shaped by work rather than by a standard. Ask for hip scores anyway, and grow puppies slowly.

Learn the signs of bloat.

They bark at night by design. In a suburb that is not a training problem to be solved but a reason to choose another breed.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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