Turkmen Alabai History

Strength and nobility are the main features of Turkmen dogs, Alabai. Nobody knows when the first dogs appeared on the territory of Turkmenistan. However, it is known exactly, according to the bone relics from the sites of ancient towns, that in Turkmenistan during the Bronze Age several breeds of dogs were bred. On the site of ancient Anau (5 km to the west of Ashkabad) in the lower stratum of the New Stone Age, relics of the Indian wolf were found which differed from other wolves by its exterior and skull. Specialists connect these relics with the origin of the modern German sheep dog. In old Merv (Gaur-kala) a statuette of a sheep dog was also found. In settlements in the mid-Amu-Darya archaeologists found terra cotta statuettes of hounds and shepherd dogs dating to the early Medieval Period. Dog bones found during the excavations in Khorezm of the 12th-14th centuries testified that the local dogs differed from each other by their types and sizes - from spitzlike dogs to small sheep dogs. One of the ancient local breeds is a shepherd dog which the Turkmen people call Alabai ,"a skewbald" is the most popular color of the breed. The Turkmen legend, retold to me by the historian A.M.Annanepesov said that in ancient times the Alabai females were taken away high to the mountain and tied with the lambs there. A snow leopard heard the lambs' cries and came down the mountains to mate with them. The largest Alabai dogs were descended from their offspring. Aristotle wrote about eastern dogs, that they were descended from the interbreeding of dogs and tigers. Later he said more abstractly "...with any beast that looked like a dog." The terra cotta statuette from Altyn depe (2000 BC) gave the ancient image of the shepherd dog with cut ears and tail. Archaeologists consider that this is the image of the modern Turkmen alabai. Some archaeologists state that the Tibetan mastiff is its ancestor. At present the Turkmen alabai is its direct descendant and it has not been influenced by other breeds. The image of the enormous dog represented on the Parthian rhyton from Nissa (18 km from Ashkabad) is related to the mastiff breed. The breed of giant mastiffs was very popular among cattle-breeding tribes of Middle Asia. They were highly appreciated in the Ancient East . The "Nissian mastiff" looked like dogs from Gandhara (the region in India) which were taken by Alexander the Great from Sopeifa. Sopeifa dogs were let go against the lions. Probably, such dogs were used during the funeral ceremony of the mazdeists as watchdogs to look after the deceased person. The massagets used special dogs to eat corpses.

Later, there was a dog cult among the Zoroastrians of Iran and Turkmenistan. In their opinion it would be a great misfortune for somebody if he offended a dog. If a man saw a homeless dog he had to bring it home and feed it. The dog chose itself whether it would stay at the home or go away. Such dogs were not afraid of big animals and they learned their habits in fights. The true Alabai puppies were not afraid of grown dogs and didn't put their tails between their legs in a fright. Alabai's differ from other breeds in Asia, and it is wrong to call them either Middle Asian or sheep dogs. Firstly, the breed of Alabai is found only in Turkmenistan and doesn't correspond to other Middle Asian breeds. Secondly, Alabai lives in the pasture with sheep flocks to protect them. In some regions it is used for guarding herds of cows. We should pay attention to the opinions of Russian scientists V.A. Kalinina, T.M. Ivanova, L.V. Morozova, who reject the breeding of the Middle Asian sheep dog as not corresponding to the essence of the Alabai breed. It is noted that within the breed there are different types which have no scientific appellations. In ancient times the Turkmen people divided internal breed types according to usage: "mergekchi" (wolf crusher), "grounchi" (sheep dogs), "sakchi" (a guard); also according to physical features: "kopek" (the most massive possessing muscular force and strong kick of the chest), "kopek-si" (less massive but having high speed) and the half breed of alabais with the Turkmen greyhound - tazy.The alabai is a noble dog. It will beat a wolf to its last breath in a fight, whereas in a fight with other dogs, Alabai will never exceed their opponent's limits. Alabai taking part in dogfights display brilliant techniques.

The preparation of such dog is similar to the preparation of a champion fighter. Before dogfights all dogs follow a particular regimen: rational feeding, massage, running, and swimming. The Turkmen Alabai has a strong nervous system which is the result not of evolution but of special selection. Turkmen shepherds rejected unbalanced dogs. Pure bred Alabai never barked at random and never howled at nights. Throughout the history of breeding there were always more male dogs than female. Only a notable female could give birth to a puppy. Fights were held among them; they were allowed to fight only once at the age of 6 months. The best bitches were selected for future breeding, taking into consideration their capacity for work and fighting. Turkmen Alabai's were widely used in Uzbekistan, Iran, Tadjikistan, and Kazakhstan. Many countries of Eastern and Central Europe are actively engaged in the breeding of these dogs. The ability to adapt well is an Alabai quality and they are trained easily. The Turkmen Alabai's have taken part in exhibitions since 1930. At the All-Union exhibition in Moscow 1964 the bitch Aina won, and in 1971 at the International exhibition in Budapest the Turkmen Alabai Karagoz got an excellent mark. Throughout Soviet history only the breed of Middle Asian sheep dog "Altai" was awarded the first pedigree class and it was the only representative of this breed put down into the All-Union stud book for dogs. The best dogs worked guarding flocks and the dogs masters didn't pay attention to the exhibitions. The definition of the breed's standards led to the breed's degeneration in Turkmenistan. Lately interest in the Turkmen Alabai has been growing. The best representatives of this breed, having been bred in Moscow with other breeds, cost from US$2,000 to $3,000. At International exhibitions nobody pays attention to Alabai's training, awarding prizes only for their existence.

The real pure breeds of Alabai's are in their motherland - Turkmenistan.

There used to be hundreds of pure Alabai's; now there are only a few dozen left. Besides excessive export, there is a tendency to interbreed Alabai with other breeds and it may lead to the disappearance of this breed. In order to preserve this valuable breed, the government has stopped uncontrolled export. Alabai enthusiasts are making efforts so that this unique breed, having influenced many other breeds throughout the world, will never disappear.

Black Ekimen

It is a pity, but it's been like this for centuries,that creating of a cult of any manufacturer , occurs after death. The similar situation has not bypassed Black Екimen.Whi le he was still alive there was a set of legends about his origin. East epos is beautiful and entertaining, but it would not be desirable to confuse the reader, and I shall try to acquaint briefly with history of an origin and separate fragments from a life of this wonderful dog. My Turkmen friends have allowed me to make it happen: Geldy and Kakish Kyarizov, family Meredovyh, Perman Мuhamedod, Aliev Hivolibaj and Амаnsаhат Nуryagdiev. My greater enthusiasm with Turkmen Alabai and especially Black Екimen with enormous quantity of trips in Turkmenistan have allowed me to collect rich information material. The family of hereditary shepherds Мedoix in Кааhка held three dogs: White Екimen, Black Екiмеn and the son of Black Екimen - Sаrdаrа. Very many shepherds got dogs on external similarity to an ancestor same thing happened to Black Ekimen. In the end of 70th the flock was brought in Кааhку . Together with a flock has come and it has been left black-speckled bitch, with very impudent character. After a while she has given birth to three puppies. One of them, namely identical by colorings with mother, has been left by shepherds Меredovim. The puppy grew very impudent and independent. In the age of one year Black Ekimen has received serious trauma, when he got hit by a motorcycle. Treatment was not done, but fortunately the dog has survived, though traumas have affected a structure of its back legs, According to shepherds Меeredovih, B.Ekimen only once scuffled with wolves, but nobody saw details of fight, as it was very dark, and the scared flock of sheep's did not allowed to approach close enough to see the dog scuffling wolves.Also we need to mention ,that B.Ekimen after that fight for a long time could not rise and he was treated with old tested Turkmenian way by applying of fresh kurdyuck ( Sheep Fat). Finally having recovered, B.Ekimen continued to work in the flock until friend Meredovyh, Kumman began to take away Black and White Екiмеn's for the celebratory fights in Аshhabad. Black Екiмеn and White Екiмеn never were Champions. But at the same time B.Ekimen possessed huge internal energy and the impudent character, allowing to put him in fights several times. And B.Ekimen justified hopes, he always went to fight and always beat the opponent chest forward. In addition it is important to add, that B.Ekimen possessed very low threshold of painful sensitivity. Many Turkmens known B.Ekimen, remember so-called fight “ three toothed with three pawed ” when opponent of B.Ekimena, having caught him by a paw, has completely held down B.Ekimen's movements. Nothing foretold success, but B.Ekiemen has surprised all: he has seized himself by the paw and with powerful jerk has released himself from the opponent, having pulled out with this movement the opponent's canine. After that B.Ekimen's fight,he received greater popularity. They gave and sold, changed and returned him , but he has not justified desire of the owners. He did not possess a specific manner of fight. As before there was an impudence and indefatigability. At last, having returned to the former owner, but already to the senior from brothers, to Aman Meredovu, B Ekimen was used as the stud.But also here he has not justified hopes. Being not potent dog he has not embodied himself in the children. In known four breedings all his sons have inherited a phenotype of mother. B.Ekimen has served only as inhensment. Subsequently were made inbridings in all regions of former Soviet Union, but unsuccessfully. Only family Kjarizovyh managed to receive fenotipick grandsons similar to him, they were Тоhмет and Gurlen. At the same time, it was an initial point in opening of a line of the descendants in Тurkmenistan, such as Erlen, Аккеllо and Аrlаn, known already today. Thanks to B.Ekimen we have received : Bоvsеr (Bаbur х Тоgolok), Аккеllо (Аrlаn х Тоgolok), Акbаi (Акgush х Nokot), and also descendants ascending through the bitches: Diка (Sаrdar х Karali), used in cultivation in Minsk, Кеnurdzha (Umar х Inginlidzhаnа), Ugrel (B.Ekimen х Оira) in St.-Petersburg.

Finishing a narration about wonderful Black Екiмеn it would be desirable to say something to present selectors: appreciate and love the manufacturers of dogs while they are alive, the dog century is short, and "to catch" valuable qualities of "former" manufacturers in nowadays living descendants, very labour-consuming work and not always grateful for the selector.

White (Beliy)Ekimen

He was born in Kaakhka from old male dog, which was picked up by S. Meredov, when the dog was at the edge of the death from emaciation and diseases.About one year was spent to recover his health, firstly feeding him with liquid food, as he could not chew, Meredov managed to recover the dog so, that after that he worked for some time in the flock and participated in the fights. Particularly in the fights, as the herder treated indifferently enough to the combats and did not nominated to them .Elbars – he gave this name to the foundling. Later the owner had again to cure his Elbars, which suffered of people for his pugnacity: somebody knocked out all his teeth with the spade, even his tongue was cut, being bi sected, as snake one. Nowadays all this became overthrown with the legends, and in Kaakhka it is possibly to hear, that he intimidated other dogs with this tongue, showing it to them and even hissing. But, even being without his teeth, Elbars could not get calm, he continued fighting and won, logging his enemies with the head, and having seen the crowds of people, he thought that they certainly gathered to see the fights and ran there looking for the enemies. The herder Meredov got 5 puppies (2 males and 3 females) from this restless male and his female Gyunchi. The only puppy that survived was named Ak Yekimen. The metaphase of this name is: Ак – White, Ekimen – Unsociable, Morose. White Ekimen was very big, massive female white colored with hardly mentioned light-yellow-pale spots. The character feature was that, being very tolerated to the people during leisure at home, he was extremely aggressive to the strangers, when at work. He was very likely to love his job above all in the world, and he did manage with it. But, to say the truth, there was one accident when the wolf came to the sheep-fold, and White Ekimen, at that time he was just a puppy, barked, running around but did not attempt to enter in it.Sary Meredov tells that after that he told the dog: "if you do it once again, I'll shoot you!".And the male got it. "It was enough to have with the flock W.Ekimen and a female not to be afraid any wolves", – the herder adds. White Ekimen, even being the Champion of fighting, had never been a fighting dog. Gumman, the known fightist in Turkmenistan, which took him from Kaakhka to Ashgabat to fight, told: "Ekimen did not like me, he did not like city at all, and he was uncomfortable here. He always wanted to go back to the flock, he even had bad appetite. So I had to take him back after 4 months, and he did run last five kilometers, jumped out from the vehicle".W. Ekimn gave the Plead of the very big, malicious towards people dogs, chiefly black colored.

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Alabai

Strength and nobility are the main features of Turkmen dogs, alabies. Nobody knows when the first dogs appeared on the territory of Turkmenistan. However, it is known exactly, according to the bone relics from the sites of ancient towns, that in Turkmenistan during the Bronze Age several breeds of dogs were bred.On the site of ancient Anau (5 km to the west of Ashkabad) in the lower stratum of the New Stone Age, relics of the Indian wolf were found which differed from other wolves by its exterior and skull. Specialists connect these relics with the origin of the modern German sheep dog. In old Merv (Gaur-kala) a statuette of a sheep dog was also found. In settlements in the mid-Amu-Darya archaeologists found terracotta statuettes of hounds and shepherd dogs dating to the early Medieval Period. Dog bones found during the excavations in Khorezm of the 12th-14th centuries testified that the local dogs differed from each other by their types and sizes - from spitzlike dogs to small sheep dogs.One of the ancient local breeds is a sheperd dog which the Turkmen people call alabais ("a skewbald" is the most popular color of the breed). The Turkmen legend, retold to me by the historian A.M.Annanepesov said that in ancient times the alabai females were taken away high to the mountain and tied with the lambs there. A snow leopard heard the lambs' cries and came down the mountains to mate with them. The largest alabais were descended from their offspring.Aristotle wrote about eastern dogs, that they were descended from the interbreeding of dogs and tigers. Later he said more abstractly "...with any beast that looked like a dog."The terracotta statuette from Altyn depe (2000 BC) gave the ancient image of the sheperd dog with cut ears and tail. Archaeologists consider that this is the image of the modern Turkmen alabai. Some archaeologists state that the Tibetan mastiff is its ancestor. At present the Turkmen alabai is its direct descendant and it has not been influenced by other breeds. The image of the enormous dog represented on the Parthian rhyton from Nissa (18 km from Ashkabad) is related to the mastiff breed. The breed of giant mastiffs was very popular among cattle-breeding tribes of Middle Asia. They were highly appreciated in the Ancient East The "Nissian mastiff" looked like dogs from Gandhara (the region in India) which were taken by Alexander the Great from Sopeifa. Sopeifa dogs were let go against the lions. Probably, such dogs were used during the funeral ceremony of the mazdeists as watchdogs to look after the deceased person. The massagets used special dogs to eat corpses. Later there was a dog cult among the Zoroastrians of Iran and Turkmenistan. In their opinion it would be a great misfortune for somebody if he offended a dog. If a man saw a homeless dog he had to bring it home and feed it. The dog chose itself whether it would stay at the home or go away.In ancient times the Alabais' ancestors were taken out to the Middle East. They were very popular in Ancient Assyria, Urartu and in Egypt. Egyptian and Assyrian reliefs show their images, similar to lions in size (as on the rhyton from Nissa). In the East, men hunted lions, tigers, wolves, and buffaloes with the help of these dogs. Later they appeared in Ancient Greece and spread in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient Rome these dogs were used in the circus, in bloody performances. According to our facts all the mastiflike breeds descenoied from these dogs. Many of them greatly differed from the initial type of shepherd dogs of Middle Asia. It was known that Huns (the Turkmen ancestors) took away the blind puppies from their mother's and the sheperds fed them themselves. The grown up dog remembered its caretaker and was faithful only to him. Such dogs were used for guarding sheep and house, for hunting and in the military service.

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