Central Asian Shepherd Dog
中亞牧羊犬
Draft — this profile is still being checked.
At a glance
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai) is an ancient livestock guardian shaped by natural selection over thousands of years across the steppes and mountains from the Caspian Sea to China. The FCI standard describes a self-assured, balanced, quiet, proud and independent dog, very courageous, with great endurance, a natural sense of territory and fearlessness toward large predators. The AKC is blunt: it is a protective breed that needs lifelong supervision and is not for first-time owners.
Facts
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 65–70cm |
| Weight | 40–50kg |
| Breed group | AKC: fss FCI: 2 |
| Role | Guardian |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 3/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Behaviour
Self-assured, quiet, fearless of predators
The FCI standard describes the Central Asian Shepherd as self-assured, balanced, quiet, proud and independent, very courageous, with high working capacity, endurance and a natural instinct of territory; fearlessness towards large predators is a characteristic feature. It is classified as a guard and watch dog.
Not for first-time owners
The AKC says Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are a natural protective breed that require non-stop observance for the life of the dog and are not for first-time owners. On its trait chart the breed scores 1/5 for openness to strangers and 5/5 for watchdog/protective nature, with trainability 4/5 and energy 3/5.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "independent / courageous / self-confident".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Central Asia Shepherd Dog (standard no. 335, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Central Asian Shepherd Dog — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Central Asia Shepherd Dog — FCI standard no. 335 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]FCI-Standard No. 335 — Central Asia Shepherd Dog — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.