Central Asia Shepherd Dog
Other names: Alabai, Central Asian Ovtcharka, CAO, Aziat

With a history reaching as far back as 5,000 years, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is an ancient, noble breed. This dog is proud, fearless, strong, brave, loyal and independent and was originally used to guard sheep and goat herds.
Now, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is gaining popularity all over the world as a companion and/or working dog. Although they’re extremely affectionate towards and protective of their owners, this breed isn’t for newbie dog owners. Without consistent and confident training, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog will be hard to handle.
Key facts about the Central Asia Shepherd Dog
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Origins and history
No one really knows the true origin of the Central Asian Shepherd. However, it’s one of the oldest breeds of dogs which still exists today, having been in existence for at least 4,000 years. They’re native to the mountainous Central Asia region and it’s believed that nomadic tribes used (and still use) this breed to protect their livestock.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Section
Section 2 : Molossian type
Physical characteristics of the Central Asia Shepherd Dog
Adult size
Female : Between 26 and 28 in
Male : Between 28 and 30 in
Weight
Female : Between 88 and 99 lb
Male : Between 110 and 121 lb
Coat colour
Coats can be black, white, brindle, fawn, grey, white or red. The coat may come with or without white specks/markings.
Type of coat
The Central Asian Shepherd’s coat is normally short (3-5 inches) or medium (7-8 inches) in length.
This breed has a hardy thick, harsh double coat with a dense undercoat for extra warmth. Hair on the head is often shorter than the coat on the withers.
Eye colour
They possess dark, deep-set, mysterious looking eyes.
Description
We’d describe the Central Asian Shepherd dog as bear-like! Their heads are huge in comparison to other dog breeds, though their ears are naturally petite in comparison. The neck is short and the skin hangs around their throat, which is known as a dewlap.
Their body is strong, robust and muscular with an impressively large bone structure. Their legs are straight and stocky and they have a long, broad back with a slight curve. You’ve only got to take a short glance to notice how powerful these beautiful dogs are! Their paws are smaller than you’d expect, but adequately padded.
In terms of size, they’re generally as long in the body as they are tall - yep, pretty humongous! Females tend to be slightly smaller and lighter than their male counterparts, though they’re still incredibly strong.
Good to know
During excavations in Turkmenistan, images of Central Asian Shepherds were found on silver dates. The images date back to around 4000 BC - so this is a truly ancient breed we’re talking about!
Temperament
Behaviour of the Central Asia Shepherd Dog
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Is the Central Asia Shepherd Dog right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
It’s difficult to get a Central Asian Shepherd - you may need to search for a reputable breeder and go on a waiting list. They’re not cheap dogs and will cost you upwards of £1160.
Per month, it would cost you between £70 to £100 to care for your dog.
Grooming
This breed is fairly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. They’ll need a weekly brush to remove loose hair and minimize shedding, along with an occasional bath to keep them looking polished. However, their nails grow impressively fast and will need regular trimming. Remember to brush their teeth regularly and check their ears and eyes, too.
Shedding
The Central Asian Shepherd is a light shedder for most of the year. However, during ‘shedding season’, they shed excessively - so be prepared!
Nutrition of the Central Asia Shepherd Dog
It’s no surprise, due to their hefty size, that this breed requires huge amounts of food! Ideally, they need a formula which is made specifically for giant breed dogs in order to meet their high energy requirements.
Health of the Central Asia Shepherd Dog
Life expectancy
10-12 years
Strong / robust
The Central Asian Shepherd is one of the strongest dogs around - they’re proper toughies!
Withstand heat
The dog must be able to be hide from the sun in a shelter with fresh water during periods of heat wave.
Withstand cold
The Central Asian Shepherd’s stocky body and thick coat means they’re able to adapt to cold climates and harsh weather.
Tendency to put on weight
Obesity isn’t a huge problem in this breed, though they’re likely to pile on the pounds if they don’t exercise for at least 1-2 hours per day. However, they are prone to bloat. To avoid this, it’s important to feed them on a raised surface and split up their daily food into at least two servings per day. In addition, make sure you don’t exercise your pooch right after a meal.
Common illnesses
- Bloat
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia