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Working · Soviet Central Asia

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

A walker's guide to the Central Asian Shepherd Dog: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Giant, 40 to 80 kgEasy-goingLivestock guardianAlabaiGiantExperienced handlers
Exercise a day60 min plus
Energy2 of 5
Walk styleSlow, deliberate, territorial
With other dogsOften intolerant

Overview

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog, known as the Alabai in Turkmenistan, is one of the oldest livestock guardian types, found across the steppe and mountains from the Caspian to China. It is a massive, thick-skinned dog with a short or medium coat, cropped ears and tail in its homeland, and a broad head. Dogs vary a great deal in size and type across the region.

The breed is calm, self-assured and quiet, with a deep suspicion of strangers and a readiness to defend its territory and its people without hesitation. It is not aggressive without reason, but it decides what a reason is. In Britain it is rare and belongs with experienced owners.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour and ten minutes of slow, steady lead walking a day is plenty for an adult. Guardians conserve energy and patrol; they have no interest in fetch and little in running.

Growing dogs should do even less. Short, gentle walks on soft ground protect developing joints.

Daily minimum70 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeNever in public

On the walk

  • Control: Up to eighty kilos. No walker holds that by strength alone. The dog's acceptance of you, the owner's trained equipment and a calm, familiar route are what keep everyone safe.
  • Strangers: Expect the dog to watch and judge everyone. Keep people well away and never allow anyone to approach to touch it.
  • Other dogs: Intolerance of unfamiliar dogs is common. Walk alone at quiet times on routes where you can keep distance.
  • Weather: The breed copes with extreme cold and dry heat, but a humid British summer with a heavy body still calls for early, short walks and water.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Accept the booking only after repeated introductions with the owner present and a clear welcome from the dog.
  2. Walk the same quiet route each time until the dog is settled with you.
  3. Check your insurance for exclusions on large guarding breeds.
  4. Keep the walk slow and quiet; this breed does not want a chatty, excitable handler.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Has the dog ever been in a confrontation with a person or a dog, and how did the owner stop it?
  • What lead equipment does the owner trust, and which commands will the dog obey from someone it barely knows?
  • Is there a familiar route where the dog is relaxed, and are there places it has reacted before?
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