These powerful animals are able, without a single sound, by their appearance alone, to repel any desire of an outsider to get to know them better. Molossoid species, to which the Alabai belongs, is the oldest group of canids that has lived with humans for six thousand years. True, some sources cite other data that indicate that the group is over ten thousand years old, but experts still argue about the authenticity of these statements, since ancient dogs were too different from modern giants.
The similarity of the discovered remains with modern animal groups is mainly due to the shape of the skull. If you take into account the parameters of the skeleton, then the modern Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai) was formed more than four thousand years ago as an indigenous breed. These hardworking and hardy dogs have long earned an excellent reputation.
As a rule, the sizes Alabai in cynological literature are indicated in minimal boundaries. The average, even the minimum allowed by the standard, male height is 70 cm, and weight - not less than 50 kg. Bitches are usually smaller, but at the same time their growth cannot be less than 65 cm, and weight - 40 kg. The largest alabai should maintain overall body proportions and complexion.
First, we want to introduce you to the characteristics of this animal so that you have a general idea of the breed. In addition, we will introduce you to the largest Alabai in the world. The photo of this giant posted in this article, we think, will impress you.
Breed description
This breed has several names: Turkmen wolfhound, Turkmen alabai, just Asian and Central Asian shepherd. Experts are sure that this is the oldest, one of the largest dogs (alabai) has reached the modern man almost in its original form. Like many ancient breeds, many legends are composed of Alabai. True fans of these giants love to retell one of the most common of them.
It says that the ancestor of the largest Alabai was a mythical creature - the Turkmen syrtle. Outwardly, he resembled a huge dog and a hyena at the same time. The mythical creature was cunning, smart, but at the same time vindictive and treacherous. It terrified all the surrounding shepherds, as the beast raided the herds, brutally cracking down on animals. Moreover, during the rut, these animals easily led away the best shepherd dogs from people. Therefore, soon in the steppes, people began to notice the descendants of mythical creatures: huge dogs with a powerful Alabai body and the character of a syrtle.
The impetus for the development of the breed was military operations and the need to protect settlements. For its physical data, this one of the largest dogs - Alabai - was chosen to participate in hostilities and guards. For the first time, the Turkmen prefix to the name of the breed was used in 1935, then this dog was called the Turkmen shepherd. It is believed that the majority of purebred Alabais come from Turkmenistan. Interesting fact: the area protected by Alabai is not inhabited by scorpions and snakes.
Wool
The coat of alabai is three-layered: the back and top hairs are dense and hard with a dense undercoat. Throughout the body with an average length of hair of about five centimeters, the cover is uniform, on the front sides of the paws slightly shortened and slightly elongated at the withers. In long-haired individuals (7–10 cm), a mane is well developed, longer hair on the withers, on the back of the tail, in the riding breeches.
Color
Despite the predominance of light and even white animals, the standard allows almost any color. During the development and formation of the breed, motley and tiger colors were common. Breeding work, including unplanned mating, led to the degeneration of many species groups. The breed standard excludes only three color options: brown, red-brown, blue.
The largest alabai in the world
And now, as we promised, we will talk about the largest representative of this breed. This giant lives in the Stavropol Territory (Russia). You can see the photo of the largest alabai below.
This powerful handsome man lives in the house of the famous Russian breeder Alexander Khudyakov. According to the owner, this is a unique dog in many ways. Despite the fact that this is the largest dog - the Alabai Bulldozer (the name of the giant), it possesses characteristic qualities characteristic of this breed only.
Bulldozer Character
This powerful dog never shows anger and unjustified aggression towards people he knows, his host’s many friends, and simply to the curious, who want to see this giant with their own eyes. The dog is full of dignity and feels its independence. A bulldozer is not a servant of its owner, but a faithful and devoted friend who will go after the owner to the ends of the world, and in case of danger threatening the owner, without hesitation, he will give his life for him.
The dog never complains of pain, does not moan or squeal. This is a one-love dog, which until the last breath will be faithful to the owner. She can only be an enemy or friend. Alexander Khudyakov is sure that the Bulldozer, as well as all representatives of this breed, will not be forcibly serving “for the handout,” but this dog accepts an honestly deserved award with dignity and great pleasure.
Another amazing quality of the biggest Alabai: a proud dog looks at people with wisdom in his eyes, forgives them fussiness and arrogance. Unlike many other dogs, the Bulldozer will never look away if someone looks at it. Alexander Khudyakov, who has been breeding alabaev for many years, believes that these shepherd dogs should not be forced to serve their owner - they themselves feel the need for this and do everything at the level of instinct that has been developed for centuries.
The formation of the character of the Bulldozer largely took place in dog fights. Probably, if the dog had even once let the owner down at the beginning of his career, we would not have learned about this amazing animal. Not a fighting, eccentric alabai will never become a reliable friend, Alexander assures. The bulldozer is endowed with a balanced and calm character: outside the ring he has not bitten anyone in his entire life. The descendants of the largest alabai already have many awards, and Bulldozer’s grandchildren are already waiting for publication: as you know, a unique pedigree obliges.
Bulldozer Achievements
For the first time, the bulldozer tasted victory in battle at a very young age, when he was only three years old. We want to recall that it is by the age of three that the Central Asian shepherd becomes an adult. Today, probably, even the owner of the dog will find it difficult to name the exact number of awards, diplomas, certificates that his pet has received: he is the champion of the country, the champion of the RKF, the Pride of Russia, three times the champion of CACIB, twice - KChK, multiple winner of various international competitions - and this is incomplete list of achievements of the largest alabai.
Bulldozer Day Mode
To achieve such results, the dog must always be in great shape. And despite the fact that today the dog left his active exhibition activity and practically does not participate in battles, he still trains a lot and eats well. Every day he walks for at least six hours, passing about twenty kilometers. The dog is not picky about food: he needs ten liters of porridge and five kilograms of meat per day.
The Khudyakov family is sure that even larger dogs live somewhere, for them the biggest alabai in the world is the dog with whom they have been living for nine years, their beloved Bulldozer, which is surprisingly gentle to all members of the household.
Giant alabai dimensions
The bulldozer fully justifies the title of the largest alabai. The dog, standing on its hind legs, is more than two meters high. Today, at the age of nine, this dog weighs about one hundred and thirty kilograms, which does not interfere with his mobility: he is happy to frolic with his master's children and their friends. Here he is - charming and immensely kind in everyday life, courageous and fearless in the ring - the largest alabai in the world - the legendary Bulldozer champion.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the Central Asian Shepherd belongs to the winner breeds, having decided to get such an animal, evaluate your strength and capabilities. Improper education of such a giant can cause many problems for you and your loved ones.