What does a black alabai look like: pet’s character traits and basic rules of care

Alabai (Central Asian Shepherd Dog) is a large dog, distinguished by powerful bones, strength and calmness, an excellent watchman and guard.

Characteristic features are love of freedom, pride and excellent fighting qualities.

Such a dog will never fulfill the whims of its owner; it can only be a friend or an enemy.

Therefore, maintaining it requires a strong character and considerable experience in dog breeding.

Origin story and what it looks like in the photo

The history of the Black Alabais dates back to about 4,000 years ago . In the territory from the Caspian Sea to the Southern Urals and China, these dogs were faithful companions of shepherds.

The black alabai is closely related to the Tibetan mastiff and the Mongolian shepherd dog. It is believed that it was from them that the breed took the genes responsible for its black color.

The appearance, strength and power of the dog were formed thanks to the harsh conditions in which the animals lived . The fight against predators, a difficult climate, and a minimum of water and food made the dog fearless and unpretentious.

It is worth saying that only the strongest and healthiest individuals survived in such conditions. It was they who passed on their genes to their offspring, while the weaker ones died.

If we talk about factory work, it began to be carried out in the USSR only in the 30s of the 20th century . But the breed acquired official status only in the 80s. Now black Alabais are used as watchmen, security guards and service dogs.

Appearance

In appearance, the Chinese Shepherd looks like a cross between a German and a Mastiff. Larger than the original, with a wider chest, higher height at the withers, more raw muzzle and jowls.

According to the breed standard, black, red and black colors are allowed. The coat is thick, medium length, and the undercoat is dense. The nose is only black, the other pigmentation is defective. The eyes are medium in size, brown in color, and the lower eyelids are slightly drooping.

The jaws are strong, a full set of 42 teeth. The head is angular, visually it seems a little square. The ears are set high, erect in a strictly vertical position, the tips of the auricle are slightly pointed.

The body is strong, wide, stretched. The tail is set low and saber-shaped. The neck is muscular, with a well-defined dewlap. The abdomen is moderately tucked, like the prototype. The back is straight and strong. The croup is long, lowered to the base of the tail, the loin is large.

The official breed standard for the Chinese Shepherd was adopted in 1988.

Marriage or breed?

The black color of alabai should in no way be considered a defect or a defect. The only exception is a pronounced saddle cloth (color, like a German shepherd).

The Alabais consider marriage based on color:

• Any shade of chocolate and all its combinations, with a brown nose, lips and eyelid edges.
• A blue tint in different variations, with a gray nose, eyelids and lips.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“The distinctive features of black Alabais can be called: large size, height above average, strong physique and rough constitution. The dog is distinguished by its viciousness, mistrust and willfulness. She is wary of strangers and neutral of children. The dog has strong muscles, thick skin and a somewhat loose build.”

Alabai color options

A large white Alabai with light brown spots is far from an established breed standard. In fact, these dogs have quite a lot of fur color options. Dogs can be light beige, gray and even red.

Moreover, the coloring can contain several colors at the same time, or be of the same tone. Many owners have repeatedly noted what a bizarre pattern is formed on the animal’s fur when 2-3 colors are combined.

If we talk about the Alabai breed, the colors that can be found are presented below:

• white plain;
• white with additional black, red, gray and other spots;
• brindle;
• black and white;
• different shades of red;
• completely gray;
• pale yellow;
• pure black.

Important! All described options are allowed according to the standard. Culling occurs based on the shade of the fur, which is chocolate and silver-blue.

Solid white shade

Character traits

As a rule, Alabai have a calmly balanced type of psyche, which is characterized by:

• Mobility.
• Force.
• Sustainability.
• Slowness.
• Equilibrium
• Calm.
• No fussiness.
• Slow response to stimuli.

These dogs are reliable, unpretentious and independent..

It is worth saying that bitches are more dynamic and emotional, at the same time they are more flexible and amenable to training.

CAREFULLY!

Alabai are wary of strangers, and they react aggressively to intrusions into their territory.

A characteristic feature of the breed is pronounced dimorphism . As a rule, male dogs, when protecting the territory, silently rushes at the trespasser.

Bitches are usually more cautious; they prefer to bark at the intruder and block his path. A bitch will attack only as a last resort.

Alabais are distinguished by very high intelligence; they not only understand, but also feel the owner . At the same time, dogs are quite touchy and vindictive; you should not scold or punish them for no reason.

Raising puppies

In order for the Central Asian Shepherd Alabai to grow up docile and manageable, you need to take a small puppy for training. The owner should spend a decent amount of time playing with the pet, because this way he not only has fun, but also learns the main lesson in life: who plays what roles, who dominates and who submits.

Like all small children, puppies are not very obedient and will refuse to do anything they don't want to do. The goal of a person is to stimulate learning through arousing interest.

Right actions should be rewarded. For this purpose, some kind of treat is suitable, which is not part of the daily diet. But it’s also a good idea to educate with treats, so you can actively use affection, for example, stroking the scruff of the neck. Kind words should a priori be familiar to the tailed one.

Contrary to popular belief, physical punishment can make a puppy angry. Perhaps at first the hidden anger will not appear, but one day there is a risk of becoming a victim of the dog’s aggression for past “merits”.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the breed include:

1. High intelligence and excellent security qualities.
2. Devotion to the owner.
3. Wool that has self-cleaning properties.
4. Unpretentiousness in food and moderate appetite.
5. Unpretentiousness to living conditions. A pet can easily withstand cold, heat, and sudden temperature changes.
6. Calmness and restraint of character.
7. No tendency to bark for no reason.
8. Loyal attitude towards children.

Disadvantages of the breed:

1. The dog is not adapted to living in an apartment due to its large size.
2. Requires long walks and serious physical activity.
3. Suitable only for strong-willed and strong people.
4. Has a tendency to dominate.
5. When training, the services of a professional dog handler are required.
6. Aggression towards other dogs.
7. Tendency to wander and pick up scraps.
8. Low socialization.

Origin

During the Great Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976), many national dog breeds were endangered. The breeders decided to breed a new dog for service.

The German Shepherd was taken as the basis. By crossing Volokosov, Molossians, and Peking Wolfhounds, the Chinese developed three new types of shepherd dogs:

• Chinese mountain red dog;

Chinese mountain red dog

• Kunming Shepherd;

Kunming Shepherd

• Chinese Shepherd.

Of these dogs, the Chinese Shepherd is the most interesting. Officially recognized since 1988.

Dimensions, weight and other distinctive features

Pet size and weight:

Male:

• Height – from 70 – 80 cm.
• Weight – from 70 to 80 kg.

Bitch:

• Height – from 65 to 72 cm.
• Weight – from 50 to 70 kg.

A distinctive feature of black Alabais lies in their specific genes . So from one litter from black parents completely different puppies can appear.

Moreover, they will differ in color (not all of them are black), in character, temperament, and attitude towards people.

Varieties of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog breed

Huge Central Asian dogs are conventionally divided into varieties depending on the region of origin. They can be classified into the following types:

• Turkmen. Its predecessor is considered to be the Tibetan mastiff. The dog at one time visited Mongolia, China and Central Asia. After all these travels and crossings, the breed we are used to today gradually began to appear. Suitable for guard work, but not a fighting dog. However, if necessary, it can protect itself and its owner.
• The Caucasian is a freedom-loving and very aggressive breed. Such dogs are not suitable for everyone. It is their fierce and stubborn temper that requires perseverance and determination from the owner. In adulthood, animals reach 65-75 cm at the withers, with a weight of 50-75 kg. These dogs need a sufficient amount of space and space.
• Tibetan Mastiff - used previously as a herding dog. It is huge in size and visually appears much larger due to its thick fur. They have a stubborn disposition and value personal space very much. Sometimes an animal just needs to be left alone.
• Debet or Kyrgyz Wolfhound. As the name suggests, these dogs were previously common in Kyrgyzstan. They were used as shepherds. A special historical moment concerns the 70-80s of the last century. Scientists were sure that wolfhounds carried rabies, which is why the breed was on the verge of extinction. Despite their impressive size (height 70-76 cm, weight 40-70 kg), debits are very obedient and devoted dogs.
• The Uzbek Buribasar has snow-white fur and more. They lived mainly in the territory of Uzbekistan. They are inferior in height to most Central Asian Shepherds and have a more elongated muzzle. The character is calm and balanced.
• Kazakh wolfhounds are most often found in the Far East, as well as Eastern Europe. The color is piebald or spotted. They are excellent guards and easily get along with other pets.
• Tajik Alabai - has common features with St. Bernards. These dogs have a large body with well-developed muscles. They were always kept as herding animals. They are good and loyal friends for humans.
• German Alabai - very often found in black and white color. These dogs are distinguished by iron endurance and incredible devotion. This type was used both in police work and during the Second World War.

Kazakh Wolfhound
As you can understand, there are quite a lot of Alabai or Central Asian Shepherd Dogs. They differ not only in fur color, but also in character, behavior and much more. When deciding to buy such a dog for home, a person needs to be sure that he will really cope and be able to raise a small fluffy bear cub into an adult and devoted dog.

Life expectancy and major diseases

The life expectancy of black alabai is from 12 to 15 years.
Main diseases :

1. Obesity. About 30% of pets kept in apartments suffer from this disease. An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle also contribute to the appearance of excess weight. Another cause of obesity is heart attack.
2. Diseases of the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, etc.).
3. Joint diseases (hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, rickets, myositis, arthrosis). The reason is the large weight of the animal, which puts increased stress on the paws.
4. Skin diseases (demodex, ringworm, fungus, fleas and ticks).
5. Cryptorchidism (non-descent of the testicle into the scrotum in males). The disease is considered genetic.
6. Diabetes.
7. Infertility in bitches is also caused by genetic abnormalities.
8. Deafness.
9. Intestinal obstruction.
10. Enterocolitis.

Life expectancy, health

The species has relatively good health. The main problems are considered to be metacarpal splay and hip dysplasia. These diseases were inherited from the prototype from which they were created.

Also, in the absence of proper physical activity, problems with cartilage and joints may appear. Like most large canids. Individuals of this species do not live long, on average only 12–14 years.

The Chinese Shepherd needs long and regular walks to maintain health.

Rules of care

How to properly care for your pet:

1. You should bathe your dog 2-3 times a year. The coat of the black Alabai is resistant to dirt and the dog looks neat, even living on the street.
2. Brush the dog during shedding, in spring and autumn.
3. Despite the fact that the dog is in excellent health, he should be shown to the veterinarian at least once a year.
4. The dog must receive all necessary vaccinations annually.
5. Once every six months, the dog is given medications to prevent helminthic infestation.
6. Alabais need daily walks and physical activity. Moreover, the duration of each walk should be at least 1-2 hours. Walk the dog 2 times a day.
7. An adult dog is also fed 2 times a day. The main products he is given are meat, offal, entrails or boiled fish. Also, the dog’s diet should include vegetables, dairy products, cereals and herbs.
8. Clean your pet's ears once a week using wet wipes soaked in vegetable oil.
9. The dog's nails are cut once every 2 weeks using a special nail clipper.
10. Alabai's eyes should be examined daily for signs of discharge. If there is slight discharge, wipe the eyes with a cotton pad soaked in chamomile decoction.
11. The pet's teeth are brushed once a week with a special brush and toothpaste intended for dogs.

Reviews from real owners

Valery:

“A good guard, gets along with the whole family, a loyal friend ready to accompany him everywhere, a versatile dog. Vocalist, barks a lot for no reason. Easy to train, obedient. Just take care of the coat, brush it a couple of times a month and that’s it. I’m not picky about food.”

Alexander:

“In the past I bred German shepherds, but for the sake of experiment I took a “Chinese” one. There is no big difference in behavior, they are a little more stubborn, nothing more. They are just as smart and obedient. They attract attention only because of their non-standard appearance.”

What do the puppies look like?

Black Alabay puppies have a massive head, pronounced brow ridges, a heavy chin and strong paws.

Babies have a large, black nose, drooping ears, round and very dark eyes . At the same time, the look is expressive, confident and calm. The claws of such a puppy are dark, as are the paw pads and lips.

Black Alabai babies have a very thick “plush” coat and a soft, dense undercoat . On the head and front legs, the hair lies tightly to the skin, and behind the ears, on the tail and hind legs there are lush feathers.

Red alabai

The category of redheads includes a variety of shades. These can be yellow-golden, light beige, red-red, copper-brown dogs. In addition, the color does not have to be monochromatic. The presence of additional spots of other shades is allowed, which, as in the previous case, are located along the body.

Dogs of the so-called wolf color are considered one of the most beautiful. The main part of the body has a bright, rich red hue. In this case, the chest, stomach, front legs, lower part of the forehead and cheeks are painted in a different, light or dark shade. In combination with the large size of the alabai, such an animal looks magnificent and intimidating.

Wolf color

How to choose?

When choosing a puppy you should always focus on several factors:

1. Choosing a nursery. The nursery must have a good reputation and have been operating for more than one year.
2. Parents of the puppy. It is very advisable to get to know the mother and father of the baby before purchasing, and also to observe them. Dogs must be healthy, well-groomed and fit.
3. Impressions from the breeder. A good breeder always gives complete information about the dogs, does not object to examining the puppy and its mother, and will also provide all the necessary information and documents.
4. Presence or absence of documents.
5. Price.

In addition, before purchasing, you should pay attention to the external characteristics of the puppy . A healthy pet always has clean eyes and ears, pink gums and shiny fur. You should also pay attention to the bite; in Alabais it is scissor-shaped.

The puppy should not smell bad, he should not be itching to bite himself - this is a sign of the presence of fleas or ticks. It is also worth paying attention to the nose and paw pads; they must be dark.

IMPORTANT!

The best age to buy a puppy is 2 months.

If you don’t want to buy a mixed breed, pay attention to the wool. In a purebred Alabai puppy, it is “plush” . If the baby has long hair, it is a cross with a Caucasian Shepherd.

Price

This breed is extremely rare in Russia and Europe, and accordingly it is expensive. The bulk of nurseries are located in China. You can negotiate delivery with the breeder, but the cost of the puppy will increase several times.

The Chinese Shepherd can be somewhat stubborn

It is possible that you will have to go on your own, which will also not make the purchase cheaper. You need to be prepared to pay up to 2000 euros for a puppy, including delivery.