Alabai: description of the breed, character of the dog and puppy, photos, prices

The Central Asian Shepherd is a breed that emerged from Central Asia through natural selection.

Since ancient times, these brave and playful dogs have guarded huge flocks of small ruminants and protected pastures.

Modern Alabai faithfully perform guard and escort service, having established themselves as a strong and balanced breed.

External signs of the Central Asian Shepherd

The photo of the Central Asian Shepherd shows that it is a rather large and tall dog, with a muscular body that is in harmony with its proportions. Bitches tend to be slightly smaller in stature, and cables have broad, large chests and “hard” shoulders.

A male dog reaches a height at the withers of 70 centimeters, but greater height is possible. His weight is at least 50 kilograms, and the female is slightly weaker in proportions.

You need to know that this breed should not have extra pounds against the background of fatty tissue, that is, only muscle mass predominates.

The head and muzzle are standardly close to a rectangular shape, the forehead is wide, separated by a shallow groove. The bite of the teeth is correct and not crooked, and the teeth themselves must be present in the mouth in full. The color of the dog's elastic, dense coat allows for any color.

Alabai puppy development by months

Despite the different rates of growth and weight gain in Central Asian Shepherd puppies, there is a certain dependence of these parameters on the age of the growing pet. The owner of a baby under the age of one year is recommended to carry out control weighing and measurement of the dog’s body girth once a month to monitor the harmonious development of the animal. Significant growth retardation or excessive weight gain before the age of 8-10 months can still be corrected with nutrition and medications; after a year, it is no longer possible to change the formed skeleton.

Weight and height of Alabai at birth

Newborn Central Asian Shepherd puppies have a round, dense body with short legs and a large rounded head. The babies are still quite clumsy and look like small fluffy “barrels”. The weight of the Alabai at birth must be at least 350-550 g, otherwise the babies are considered weak and are subject to culling.

Alabai puppy age 1 week

One month

Provided there are no congenital pathologies and sufficient breast milk production, a lactating bitch will experience a significant increase in weight and height of furry pets during the first 4 weeks of life.

1 month

The weight of a one-month-old Central Asian Shepherd puppy is already 3-5 kg with a height of 25-30 cm. Babies at one and a half months resemble well-fed, nimble lumps with soft fur; at this age it is still impossible to distinguish boys from girls.

Video: month-old Alabai puppies

Two month

Starting from 2 months, intensive growth of bones and muscles occurs, due to which there is a significant increase in the dog’s height and weight and external changes. A two-month-old puppy should be at least 35 cm at the withers and weigh 9-10 kg. An increase in body weight occurs due to the deposition of calcium salts in the growing skeleton. At this age, babies of the same litter may have different rates of growth and weight gain, which, with quality feeding and care, is not a pathology or a cause for concern.

2 months

Three months

In a three-month-old pet, the formation of the musculoskeletal system continues; the dog grows to 40-45 cm, weighing 15-20 kg. The bones of a Central Asian Shepherd puppy at this age are still very fragile due to the immaturity of bone tissue, so training and active games with adult dogs are excluded.

3 months

At 3 months, Alabai resemble cheerful, well-fed bear cubs due to their dense build, round massive head with cropped ears.

Video: Central Asian Shepherd puppies are 3 months old

Four months

At 4 months, Central Asian Shepherd Dogs experience a noticeable lengthening of the limbs and body due to intensive skeletal growth. During this period, the bones are strengthened due to the formation of dense bone tissue. A four-month-old Asian already weighs 25-30 kg with a height at the withers of 50-55 cm. The body of the young animal acquires elongated and narrow graceful outlines with a rounded large head.

Five months

At the age of five months, further growth of the skeleton and formation of the chest occurs, although in most individuals there is a decrease in the intensity of the growth rate. At 5 months, the pet reaches a height of 55-58 cm and weighs 35-37 kg.

5 months

It is very important at this stage to prevent your pet from becoming obese to avoid the development of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system as a result of increasing load.

Video: Alabai puppy 5 months old

Six to eight months

6 months
If up to six months a young dog grew mainly in height, then from 6 months the formation of muscles and growth in width begins. At the age of 6-8 months, an increase in skeletal growth occurs with the final formation and strengthening of the bones. In the same period, muscle growth is observed, due to which the thin Alabai with long thin limbs gradually takes on the appearance of an adult dog with massive body contours. A six-month-old puppy already looks like a young “calf”, having a height of 60-65 cm and a weight of 35-50 kg.

Video: Alabai age 7 months

Nine to twelve months

At 9-10 months, Asians complete bone growth and the formation of the chest; further increase in body weight occurs due to muscle growth. The thin body and limbs gradually become overgrown with round, elastic muscles. At this age, based on exterior differences, it is already possible to accurately determine the gender of the dog. Males grow up to 80 cm with a weight of 70 kg, have a massive overweight body and a large bear-like head. Bitches have a height at the withers of about 70 cm with a body weight of 60 kg and a more graceful silhouette.

12 months

One or two years

At 1-2 years of age, further formation of exterior characteristics occurs due to the development of muscles. This process may be accompanied by a slight loss in height due to relaxation of the ligamentous apparatus, but the result is a harmoniously harmonious dog with a powerful body and outstanding appearance. The smartest large pet at this age can reach 75-95 cm at the withers and weigh 75-80 kg.

1.5 years

Two years and older

The formation of the exterior in males can last up to 2-3, and sometimes up to 5 years. In females, this process stops at 9-18 months at the first heat. Early mating in both sexes negatively affects the development of the locomotor-muscular system. The dog continues to grow in width due to increased muscle mass. At 2–3 years, most individuals complete muscle growth and the final maturation of the nervous system occurs. The weight of an adult Alabai is 65-80 kg, depending on gender, the height at the withers reaches 70-80 cm. Although there are handsome ones with a height of about 96-98 cm, which, when standing on their hind legs, are taller than any person!

Alabai over 3 years old

When raising a Central Asian Shepherd, it is necessary to remember the uneven growth rate and the average height and weight of the dog depending on age. The parameters of the parents of growing young animals are of no small importance. A graceful, stately beauty can be raised from a clumsy little puppy only if it has good heredity, high-quality feeding and care, and competent regular physical activity.

How to choose the “right” Central Asian Shepherd puppy?

Nurseries offer a large selection of this breed, but still, you should first properly study all the features of the specimen.

Central Asian Shepherd puppies develop and gain proper shape within three years, so it is necessary to regularly seek advice from a professional dog handler in order to be able to raise your pet correctly and with dignity.

It is wise to choose a nursery with a good reputation, where healthy offspring are bred, since many animal ailments are inherited.

First, you should look at the parents of the Central Asian Shepherd Alabai, check documents on vaccinations and veterinary examinations, and study the pedigree certificate.

At the time of purchase, the baby's ears and tail should already be cropped and healed. It is important to know that the “disadvantages” of the forms will not change over time, that is, all parts of the body of the Alabai puppy for sale must be immediately correctly formed.

The Central Asian Shepherd dog can be trained up to three years. It is important to patiently teach her the main rules:

obedience;
stop attempts to take a dominant place in the house, that is, show that it is you who are the owner, and in no case she;
execute these commands.

Alabais are quite stubborn animals and do not waste their energy in vain, so it is necessary to play with him and at the same time persistently give tasks that will be interesting to the puppy.

Height and weight by age

Only average figures can be given for the development of Alabai. Puppies of this breed develop unevenly. Small, weak dogs can catch up (and overtake) their peers as teenagers and adults.

Newborns

A newly born baby is shaped like a barrel. Its weight is 300-350 g.

1 month

The weight of the animal increases to 3-5 kg. At the withers, a one-month-old puppy already reaches 30 cm. The body is slightly elongated, but the legs are still short.

2 months

The puppy's height remains almost unchanged - it is within 30-35 cm at the withers. However, the dog will gain noticeable weight – up to 10 kg. This is due to the fact that the skeletal corset of the young animal is actively being formed.

3 months

The animal grows up to 45 cm at the withers. The weight doubles - up to 20 kg. At this stage, there is a large difference in development among puppies of the same litter. Even experienced breeders do not always correctly determine the future sizes of their pupils. In order for the baby to grow into a strong and large animal, timely, nutritious nutrition is important from this age.

4 months

The next active stage of growth begins: the height of the dog is 50-55 cm at the withers. The dog weighs up to 30 kg. The body changes - from a “barrel” it turns into an elongated, narrow one.

5 months

The stage of active development slows down for a short time. The animal grows by a maximum of 2-5 cm at the withers. Weight increases by 5-7 kg.

6 months

At the sixth month of life, the Turkmen alabai becomes similar to an adult. His body expands, his chest, paws, and back become more powerful. The animal is already 70 cm at the withers. A six-month-old Alabai weighs 50 kg.

9 months

The period of active growth of muscle tissue in the body of a young dog. Height at withers – 70-80 cm. Weight – 80 kg. Already at this age the animal may stop growing.

12 months

By the first year of life, the active physical development of the Alabai stops. The indicators of a healthy animal will not change significantly in the future: weight - within 60-80 kg, height - 70-80 cm. Some dogs even decrease by 2-5 cm, but at the same time become stronger and more powerful.

Table with average indicators for young Central Asian Shepherds.

Age (months)	Height (cm)		Weight, kg)
Age (months)	Males	Females	Males	Females
1	25-30	22-25	4,5-5	3,5-4
2	40-45	40-43	15-20	14-17
6	65-70	60-63	45-50	35-45
12	70-80	65-75	70-80	60-70

Proper maintenance and care of the dog

The best option for housing a pet would, of course, be a spacious open-air enclosure and a cozy, private “apartment” - a kennel, from which the dog must have a full view of the protected area.

The wool has two layers and a warm dense undercoat, as in the photo of a purebred Alabai, so it can easily withstand severe frosts.

Since the dog lives on the street, its care is minimal, but we must not forget about regular eye cleaning, bathing and combing out excess shedding hair.

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You also need to clean your ears to avoid ear infections. Naturally, like any other pet, you need to carry out flea and tick prevention.

Characteristics of external data

The head is weighty and voluminous, with developed cheekbones. The transition from a flat forehead to a muzzle of medium length and almost rectangular shape is weakly expressed. The large nose is available in black or brown. Light colors or weak pigmentation with light coat color are allowed. The jaws are massive, the lips are thick. The small eyes are round in shape, set deep and spaced far apart. The ears are medium, triangular in shape. The neck is short, the chest is wide. The lower part of the chest is located at the level of the elbow or slightly below. The paws are presented in an oval shape.

Alabais have large white teeth and long shoulder blades. Wool protects well from heat and cold at the same time; it is rough and slightly hard to the touch. The length of the coat varies, there are two types: short (3-4 cm) and long (7-8 cm). Presence of thick undercoat. The tail is thick at the base and set high. In a state of anxiety it rises to the level of the back or higher, in a state of calm it is in a suspended state.

Straight forelegs with strong bones are parallel when viewed from the foreground. When viewed from the side, the forearms are straight. Straight, wide back with well-developed muscles, the length of which is equal to half the length from the withers to the tail.

Alabai menu

Despite the fact that the breed is large, the shepherd dog does not eat that much. You should not overfeed your dog - this will lead to obesity, which provokes dangerous diseases of the joints and heart.

It is better, if possible, to avoid dry food and tubular bones; offer your dog natural food - meat, vegetables and even fruits. It is necessary to include special vitamins in the diet.

If you still have to feed your dog dry food, it is wise to choose an extra-premium product for large breeds, and until the puppy is three years old, you need to take food with a strengthened composition.

Photo of Central Asian Shepherd (Alabai)

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