Alabai Dog Breed: Your Complete Guide

The alabai dog is a livestock guardian dog (LGD) with a robust build. This working dog breed is also known as the Central Asian shepherd dog, alabay, and the Turkmen wolf-hound. Although it doesn’t specifically originate from there, the breed is Turkmenistan’s national dog and the country even has a holiday dedicated to alabai dogs.

The alabai dog, like many other livestock guardians, has a strong frame. It is taller than the average dog and can weigh up to an impressive 160 pounds. The alabai dog is a gentle giant towards its family but tends to act reversed around strangers.

Our breed guide will tell you all about the alabai dog. Read on to know everything about this livestock guardian, including its size, temperament, trainability, and care needs.

Quick Look at the Alabai Dog

The below chart summarizes some basic facts about the alabai dog, such as physical features, temperament, barking habits, and trainability.

What Is the History of Alabai Dogs?

The ancestry of the alabai dog can be traced back thousands of years in the surrounding regions of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus. Farmers and nomadic herders in Central Asia and nearby areas would keep the alabai dog to protect and herd their livestock.

The alabai dog also shares a genetic similarity to livestock guardian dogs in these regions, such as the Anatolian shepherd and the Georgian mountain dog. Surprisingly, this dog breed didn’t face a lot of human intervention. They were a result of environmental factors rather than through selective breeding.

Like similar breeds, the alabai dogs were favored as watchdogs and livestock guardians with their physical capabilities and the ability to survive harsh conditions. Knowing the breed’s qualities, the Soviet government employed many alabai dogs for guarding and military work for the Red Army.

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, alabai dogs slowly made their way to the United States, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1996.

What Do Alabai Dogs Look Like?

The alabai dog has a robust frame and typically is as long as its height or slightly longer. The most common coat color is black and white, but it can be different shades of fawn or gray. Alabai dogs may also have a combination of these colors, such as black and white or fawn and white.

This dog breed has a great variety in appearance. The head shape, coat length, and overall size vary depending on the region.

Typically, the alabai dog features short or medium-length hair with a thick undercoat. Most alabai dogs have a solid head and often feature a black mask like the German shepherd or the Belgian malinois.

What Size Is an Alabai Dog?

The size of the alabai dog varies, depending on the region. Those originating in areas with harsh winters tend to be larger. The alabai dogs kept by nomadic herders are typically leaner as they cover hundreds of miles while herding and protecting livestock.

On average, the alabai dog weighs between 90 and 160 pounds and stands 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder. Since they are large working dogs, they do best in living conditions with plenty of space to roam.

What Is an Alabai Dog’s Coat Type and Length?

The alabai dog has straight, short/medium-length hair with a thick undercoat. This breed’s coat requires very little grooming and sheds moderately year-round. However, the alabai dog enters what’s called the fur storm once a year, where its coat sheds heavily.

During this period, alabai dog owners should brush and comb the coat to remove dead hair. Since they are large dogs and brushing may take a while, using a vacuum attachment to brush can help keep shedding in check and their living environment clean.

What Is an Alabai Dog’s Temperament?

Like the size and coat, the temperament of the alabai dog varies. Still, you can expect some typical traits from these livestock guardians.

By nature, the alabai dog is very loyal and affectionate to its loved ones. When spending time with their family, they are the literal definition of a gentle giant.

These dogs also do well with other pets, including cats, and have strong instincts to protect everyone in their family. However, they tend to become dominant dogs that try to gain leadership of the pack.

Since the alabai dog was bred and used for protecting livestock for thousands of years, they have an independent personality. While this trait makes them excel at livestock guarding, it can make training more difficult.

Early socialization and training are a must to ensure they become well-behaved dogs that don’t boss around. With dogs as independent as the alabai dog, it is best to start basic obedience training as early as possible to establish boundaries.

Are Alabai Dogs Good With Kids?

Alabai dogs are generally good with young children and are gentler indoors. A properly socialized alabai dog will love to play games with children in the family. However, they may not always be aware of their size. This can lead to accidental injuries in young children or toddlers during playtime.

When with kids, supervision is essential to prevent these unwanted outcomes. Due to its large size, the alabai dog is more suited for families with older children.

Are Alabai Dogs Good With Other Animals?

Guarding livestock is penetrated deeply in alabai dogs. Whether you have rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, or any other animal, including cats, the alabai dog will treat them as part of its family. Early socialization and introducing the dog to other animals at an early age is a must to create this connection.

Although the alabai dog will get along well with other pets at home, they may act suspiciously towards strange animals. They aren’t prone to chasing wildlife but have protective instincts. An alabai dog may act in an attempt to “protect their family” after spotting a raccoon or squirrel in the yard.

Are Alabai Dogs Aggressive?

The alabai dog is a large, protective, and territorial breed used for guarding livestock for thousands of years. Naturally, they are more prone to aggression than other dog breeds.

The alabai dog may act aggressively towards intruders, whether human or animal. Considering the breed’s origins, it was a highly sought-after quality. However, most alabai dogs don’t act aggressively until they feel an imminent threat. They don’t have food or possessive aggression against their family members and are very gentle towards those they love.

As with any other livestock guardian, dog owners must start obedience training as early as possible. With proper training and socialization, they can be trained to be non-aggressive and have balance to live the life of a loving pet rather than a guardian always on the lookout for potential dangers.

Do Alabai Dogs Bark?

The alabai dog has a powerful voice and won’t hesitate to use it when there’s a need for it. If you keep livestock, an alabai dog will certainly bark if coyotes howling or yipping. In suburban areas, alabai dogs may alert if they spot strangers near home.

While barking is a sign of many things, alabai dogs mostly bark to fend off threats to their family, whether a “car horn” or wildlife. Aside from letting their packs know about potential dangers, alabai dogs tend to be quiet. They aren’t vocal about everything and can be trained not to bark indoors.

Still, the powerful bark and protective temperament don’t make them suitable for apartment living. They may bark or growl when hearing people walking in the hallway, which can cause conflicts with neighbors.

Are Alabai Dogs Affectionate?

The alabai dog is an incredibly loyal breed affectionate to its family. They are gentle towards children and enjoy receiving all the love they can get. However, this loving and gentle nature is reserved only for the family.

Alabai dogs are suspicious of strangers and take a while to warm up to new people. It wouldn’t be uncommon for an alabai dog to stare at guests until making sure they aren’t a threat to their family.

As you can guess, they aren’t lap dogs. In fact, the alabai dog shows its love by protecting and guarding rather than by physical touch. They won’t say no to kisses and pets but are more inclined to show affection and love by being the protector of the family.

Are Alabai Dogs Intelligent?

Alabai dogs are extremely intelligent. They are independent thinkers and do well on their own protecting and herding livestock. Although this intelligence doesn’t always translate to easy trainability, the alabai dog excels at basic commands. They can also be trained for various complex tasks – more on the breed’s trainability below.

Are Alabai Dogs Energetic?

The alabai dog is a medium-energy breed. Since these dogs are large, they prefer slowly patrolling their territory rather than going out on a full sprint.

Like any other breed, they require daily walks to stay healthy and won’t say no to playtime when offered. They are moderately playful, and tiring them shouldn’t take much effort with their large size. The best exercise for an alabai dog is to let them walk in an enclosed space where they take it as their territory to roam and watch over.

Are Alabai Dogs Easy to Train?

Intelligence is one of the biggest factors in dog training. However, with independent-thinking dogs, this can get challenging beyond basic training. The alabai dog will happily obey advanced commands, but they must see the reason.

That’s where finding what motivates the individual dog becomes crucial. While some are easily encouraged by food, others prefer attention over treats. Once you understand what an alabai dog wants, they become eager to please and learn new commands quickly.

While these apply to training basic and advanced commands, the alabai dog doesn’t need much training to guard and herd livestock. Even from a young age, alabai dogs immediately get on their duty and can become excellent livestock guardians with minimal direction from their owners.

Are Alabai Dogs Good Watchdogs?

The alabai dog is a natural at ensuring its territory is free from dangers. They are always on the lookout for strangers and wildlife approaching their area. These dogs are quick to alert their owners by barking if anything out of the ordinary happens.

Alabai dogs won’t hesitate to protect their territory when necessary with their courageous nature. Since the breed has been upholding these duties for thousands of years, the alabai dog takes pride in its work. These make the alabai dog an excellent watchdog.

Are Alabai Dogs Good Service Dogs?

While alabai dogs make great watchdogs, the same can’t be said for service dog work with their independent and protective nature. They are naturally inclined to protect a territory, which can make exposure to new environments and situations difficult.

The best job for an alabai dog is to guard livestock on farms and ranches rather than service dog work. These traits also mean they don’t make good ESAs, though they are very affectionate to their family.

How to Care for an Alabai Dog?

The alabai dog is a low-maintenance breed that doesn’t require a lot of care. Still, they need attention from their owners to live a healthy life. Below, you will find some of the essential care needs of the alabai dog.

Do You Need to Groom an Alabai Dog?

 

The alabai dogs require regular brushing and bathing but don’t need haircuts. The thick coat should be brushed once or twice weekly and more frequently during the heavy shedding period; ideally, daily. Unless they get particularly dirty, alabai dogs need bathing once every two months to keep clean.

Do Alabai Dogs Shed?

 

The alabai dog has a double coat with a thick undercoat that insulates its body from the harsh winters of Central Asia. They are moderate-shedders year-round, and their well-developed undercoat doesn’t shed heavily during most part of the year.

However, the alabai dog sheds more during spring. During this period, alabai dogs need daily brushing to remove dead hair. As they are large and have a thick undercoat, neglecting to remove dead hair can create a big mess everywhere they walk.

What Health Problems Do Alabai Dogs Have?

The alabai dog is a generally healthy breed. These dogs don’t have any known inherited illnesses they are prone to developing. Yet, as with other large dog breeds, they are prone to developing certain orthopedic conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia.

As an alabai dog ages into their senior years, it is essential to take them for regular vet visits to ensure these health issues are treated early to prevent further complications.

How Long Do Alabai Dogs Live?

Large dog breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs. While this is true for many, the alabai dog is an exception. Even though genetic factors, the dog’s environment, lifestyle, diet, and many other things affect lifespan, a well-taken-care alabai dog can live up to 17 years.

What Should an Alabai Dog Eat?

Like any other dog breed, alabai dogs should have a balanced diet. A high-quality commercial dog food appropriate for their size and energy level is sufficient.

Since these dogs have historically been on a raw diet, they can also thrive eating raw meats. If you plan to feed your alabai dog raw, it is important to balance their diet with supplements and other foods, as only eating raw can create health problems.

Is an Alabai Dog the Right Dog for Me?

The alabai dog is a livestock guardian. Independent thinking and protective instincts are rooted deeply in this large dog breed. They can make great family dogs, but only when provided with generous space and a sense of purpose to satisfy their inherited instincts.

Alabai dogs may engage in destructive behavior without a job, even when exercised enough. This drive to work makes them ideal only for a handful of people looking for a dog. Unless you have a ranch or farm with livestock or large property to protect, the alabai dog wouldn’t be a good fit.

If you have a spacious property or keep livestock and are looking for a dog to protect your property and family, the alabai dog can be an appropriate breed. Other than this – like other livestock guardian dogs – they aren’t recommended for people solely looking for a dog for their family.

The big size of the alabai dog mostly attracts those looking for a gentle giant. If this sounds like you, consider other large fluffy dogs more suited for family life.