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Turkmenistan celebrates new holiday to honour native dog breed

Reuters A handler pets a Turkmen shepherd dogReuters
The dogs are a symbol of national pride in Turkmenistan

The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan has been celebrating a new national holiday - dedicated to a very special breed of dog.

The Alabay - a native variety of shepherd dog - was honoured on Sunday with an awards ceremony.

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has encouraged veneration of the breed as a symbol of national heritage.

Alabays and the ancient Ahal Teke horse breed are considered sources of national pride.

Sunday saw the dogs take centre stage in events designed to reinforce their lofty cultural status in Turkmenistan, a former republic of the Soviet Union.

Reuters Musicians perform during celebrations for the national Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day near Ashgabat, TurkmenistanReuters

The day's event included a best-of-show competition in which a procession of Alabay dogs were judged on appearance and agility.

President Berdymukhamedov awarded the top prize for courage to a dog in the border guard service.

The award was presented by the president's son, Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdymukhamedov. He appeared at the ceremonial opening of a new complex for the breeding of Alabay dogs in the country's capital, Ashgabat, according to state media.

Reuters Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdymukhamedov is pictured during celebrations for a national holidayReuters
The Alabay is a Turkmen variety of the Central Asian shepherd dog

Alabay dogs are widely used by many traditional herders in Turkmenistan. They are among the world's largest dogs, weighing up to 80kg (175lbs).

Last year, President Berdymukhamedov unveiled a 19ft (6m) golden statue of an Alabay dog in the capital.

The city is adorned with similar monuments, including a gold-coated statue featuring Mr Berdymukhamedov's likeness atop a golden horse.

Getty Images A statue of President Berdymukhamedov on a horseGetty Images
A statue of President Berdymukhamedov riding a horse was unveiled in the capital in 2015

In power since 2007, Mr Berdymukhamedov is widely seen as an autocratic ruler who has built a personality cult. Turkmenistan is one of the least-free countries in the world, according to a survey by Freedom House.

Mr Berdymukhamedov has occasionally given a horse or a puppy to leaders of allied nations. He was criticised for his handling of a dog he gave to Russian President Vladimir Putin after a video of the incident went viral in 2017.

Putin was given an Alabay dog by the Turkmenistan president