What is Central Asian Ovcharka?

Thus the Central-Asian sheep dog is known by this name,but it is not completely competent to bear . What is Central Asia? This is - the enormous territory, which exceeds by size of Europe, these are - different climatic conditions, this is - the conglomeration of people with different history, culture, religion and different structure of life. This is - the enormous territory, which exceeds Europe by size , these are - different climatic conditions, this is - the conglomeration of peoples with different history, culture, religion and different structure of life. This is - eternal of snow and the glaciers of high mountains, green Alpine meadow, desert and semi-desert, these are - barren solonchaks and violent subtropics. Central-Asian sheep dogs are widespread over the continent - it is possible to meet them from the eastern shore of Caspian Sea to the North Western regions of India and China and to the coasts of the Indian Ocean. Under such varied natural and cultural-historical conditions did really arise only one species of shepherd dogs? And are they only only shepherd dogs ?

The sheep dogs of Central Asia belong to the very ancient type of domestic dogs. Their area " covers” with itself the zones of the formation of the first states, zone, where the earliest tribes of cattle-breeders passed to the settled means of life and the agriculture, the ancestors of these dogs were brought out in the period of the bloom of ancient reigns and served as the basis of the removal of the large number of completely different species, with different destination and glorious history. But that dog, that is known now as “Central-Asian sheep dog”, by no means does not pretend to the role “universal great ancestor” - this only one of the descendants, the branch of powerful tree and not and what is more. In order to understand this, it is necessary to turn to the history and to be dismantled with the terms.

I already much and in detail wrote about the appearance of the species “ the guards of herds”; therefore I will not repeat the components of the formation of these dogs in “prehistoric stage”. Later among the primitive herdsman- watch dogs was outlined the specialization: part of them gave beginning to combat and pickling dogs, including to mastiffs, part remained with its initial functions, some part participated in the removal of lighter sheep dogs and even hunting dogs. The group of mountain sheep dogs is so ancient that the markers of mitochondria DNA inherent in them be present in the large number of species, not excepting borzoi. This is confirmed by studies of the scientists of the Moscow State University. Obtained data testifies that the primitive sheep dogs, one way or another, participated in the removal of many functionally different species. Including this information indirectly confirms that inside the group as a whole also was present the tendencies toward the breeding on “the specializations” and livestock was by no means is so uniform in the destination, as this is sometimes represented in the literature.
Dogs guarded cattle, they hunted, they were advanced on combat, accompanied caravans, guarded property. In the different regions they strongly were distinguished by the addition, the nature, color and the type of fur cover.

In the North Western states of India and in Pakistan are encountered both heavy and damp and the lighter sheep dogs, predominantly short-haired, frequently spotty or with tiger coat. In the northwest of China, as in other regions of the country, there are almost no dogs, since after revolution they were declared “by survival” and where subject to destruction. Afghan sheep dogs differ little from those ,that they are usual in the former republics of the USSR, but there is their completely specific variety, known as “Arian moloss”, brought-out by the tribes of Pushtuns exclusively for combat. Dogs in Iran and Iraq usually are dry, are high on the feet, are now and then similar to the the Turkish by [karabash] and [kangal], rarely long-haired and with the lightened, pointed snouts.In Russia Turkmen and Kirghiz sheep dogs were always rare and little-known, although the experiences on their use for the service were conducted also before the revolution, and people, which studied the aboriginal sheep dogs of Central Asia, usually indicated their high qualities, first of all, for watch and guard duty. In the 20's in Kirghiz and Turkmen some nurseries of RKKA (Workers' and Peasants' Red Army) bread sheep dogs, the dogs used both at the sentry posts and for the search work. The protection of borders in Turkmenistan and Transbaykal was achieved exclusively with the participation of aboriginal dogs.They successfully carried out the same work, as the acknowledged German sheep dogs. Central-Asian sheep dogs appeared regularly at the exhibitions of special duty dogs, but their number was always small, although in the republics of Central Asia they remained in greatest mass as working species.

In Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Buryatii and Tuve were formed completely specific types of the herdsman- watch dogs, that possessed some, only in them inherent special features. Buryat and Tuva sheep dogs consist, in turn, of the relationship with the sheep dogs of Mongolia, thus “locking circle” the blood relationship of Asian sheep dogs. Buryat and Tuva sheep dogs consist, in turn, of the relationship with the sheep dogs of Mongolia, thus “locking circle” the blood relationship of Asian sheep dogs. Here floats the hypothesis about the origin “all and entire” from the Tibetan great dane (which in reality also sheep dog), but - only one of many and by no means the first among the equal. The descendants of Asian sheep dogs were taken away far to the north: Hunts - “second” reindeer breeders, their ancestors - descendants from Iran. The [khanteyskie] dogs, that formally relate to “north”, bear the distinct admixture of the blood of mountain sheep dogs. Among them, until now are encountered the individuals, who strongly separate among the huskies, in spite of centuries-old cross-breeding. Just stimate variety and “the latitude of spread”. But now represent that English and Spanish mastif, Danish [brokholmera], rotveyler, st bernard, German great dane, English bulldog, boxer, bloodhound, stafford shire terrier and Bordeaux great dane combined into one species “West European great dane (or - Mastiff)” and decided to lead to the unified standard and the breed type. I was sorry for the readers and did not continued my list , since in this list at least ten species are not listed, not excluding western borzoi… Imagine that? But the mentioned species - close relatives, yes even their area in comparison with the sheep dogs of Central Asia - as to compare mops next to mastiff.

Yes, European species “are extremely” different in the exterior. But how many years are they in the plant culture? How many years their breeding are subordinated to aesthetical demands? And, it is no matter how paradoxical, with respect to nature this sample, with rare exception, will come out even “flatter” contemporary Asiatic's…
From the sheep dogs of Central Asia it was possible to form several species, which are distinguished both by the exterior and by the destination. Adapted for the different climate. To the taste of owners with the different demands. Scrupulous Europeans are ready to recognize and to cultivate their species, and protecting each as national property. Although often entire difference between them - on what slope of mountain the puppy was born. And what's happening here? One hundred species - into one species. As the plant “Central-Asian sheep dog” in the k9 organizations of Russia and former USSR dilutes Turkmen Aalabai, in the past known as Turkmenistan sheep dog. How it is “Turkmen” and how - “sheep dog” discussion continues to this day. The standard of species is comprised on the basis of the description of Turkmen type dogs, and it is acknowledged as most desirable. This standard sufficiently rigidly determines requirements for the exterior not Central Asian sheep dogs generally, but for the representative OF CONTEMPORARY PLANT SPECIES Central-Asian sheep dog ( Turkmen Alabai), by the formed show- selection in Russia.

Species naturally, brought out on the basis of the exported aboriginal dogs, but SELECTION ACCORDING TO THE TYPE was accomplished both at the stage of the acquisition of initial producers and with the selection of posterity. I.e., conversations about contemporary aboriginal livestock are not completely correct: in Central Asia the dogs not so much different-type, there, in the essence, several groups and, the intelligible matter, not all dogs correspond to contemporary standard. Although the cross-breeding occurs, especially - recently. But since “to taste and color there are no comrades”, then not all is simple with the standard: the requirements to introduce changes continually are heard, and that to completely include in standard several types, completely different anatomically. Here begins speculation on the theme “working qualities”. Allegedly, plant breeding - worst enemy of the working dog. People! What are you talking about? Really you plan to breed in Moscow or Kharkov dogs for the protection of sheep from the predators? And where you will get so many sheep? But the main thing - who and for what will buy such puppies ? This is not the joke: the protection of cattle from the predators - the basic function of species, fixed not by centuries - millennia. Asiatic - is actually the polygonal gifted dog, but the use of its working potential in the changed conditions for selection by a pillar in the hands and on the conscience of factory owners. You do not want to convert Alabai into the toy - to your services sport disciplines, competition, tests… Write your norms, declare your tests - act. No one interferes. And with the working qualities in the species everything will be in the order - from guard duty to the blood track. And the matter not in the breed type, the exhibitions or the standards. Plant species today - [dannost]. And way can be only one - rigid movement to the taken standard. At the same time in order not to lose the unique gene pool of aboriginal Central-Asian sheep dogs, manufacturers can turn to the archives, in which it is easy to find operating times from the standardization of the domestic dogs 1920-30 and to continue this work. It is possible to inspect aboriginal types, to export producers, to create new tribal nurseries. Let us recall: livestock of Alabais in Russia was created 20 years ago by enthusiasts, practically “from zero”.

It is necessary to open registers, to comprise standards . But the main thing is to work, and not to attempt to tear and to pull in the favor of own interests and ruin what was already possible to accumulate with labor.


Source: Eugene Tsigelnitskiy (journal “Friend” 4/2003)

Translated by Admin

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