Preservation and popularization of national historical and cultural heritage are the priorities of the government policy. Development of breeding of Turkmen shepherd dogs and further improvement of this unique breed have become an important aspect of large-scale work in this direction.

As is known, on February 25, the President of Turkmenistan has signed the Order, according to which Turkmen Shepherd Dog Holiday has been established, for improvement of the world glory of Turkmen dogs. According to the document, it would be celebrated annually on the last Sunday in April together with National Turkmen Horse Holiday.

In this regard, the event with participation of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is also the Chairman of International Association «Türkmen alabaý itleri», heads and representatives of ministries and departments, public organizations and political parties, universities and mass media has been held in the conference hall of the capital’s Sport Hotel in the Olympic village.

Before the forum, the participants have looked around the exhibition organized in the same place and introducing art works and books of head of the state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

In his speech, Chairman of International Association S. Berdimuhamedov highlighted that Turkmen dogs used to be not only reliable guard and assistant but also loyal friends of Turkmens throughout the centuries. Today, the dogs are integral part of rich historical heritage of Turkmen nation, which we have to pass down to future generation as our ancestors did for us.

Book of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Turkmen Alabay” narrates about an important role of these dogs in life and destiny of our nation and gives opportunity to the readers to get the feeling of nation attitude to the dogs, special features of their breeding and training.

The head of International Association has highlighted that preservation and improvement of the best traditions of national dog breeding school are among the utmost directions of activity of the organization in the context of objectives given by the President of Turkmenistan for breeding of dogs on systematic base, application of methods of national selection and modern achievements of the world science.

«Türkmeniň nusgalyk alabaýy» magazine of International Association «Türkmen alabaý itleri» has been founded for development of dog breeding in the country and popularization of success achieved in this direction on international level. The reader will be able to find plenty of interesting information about the main character of brightly illustrated publication and the place Turkmen dog occupies in the destiny of the nation, folklore, literature, philosophy of Turkmen people.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has given big impulse and scale to the work in this direction, having initiated the formation of modern infrastructure of professional dog breeding in the country.

Complex of buildings of «Türkmen alabaý itleri» business entity has been put into operation in Ak Bugday district, Ahal Region, veterinary clinic and pet shelter, which meets relative international standards, have been built in Anau. Modern diagnostic and treatment center is provided with advanced medical equipment designated for preventive vaccination of animals, finding of diseases and professional treatment.

The opening of new complex of buildings of Turkmen Dog Kennel Center place under the State Border Guard Service has taken.

At present time, the quarantine centers are under construction in Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, Mary Regions and Ashgabat – the breeding centers of Turkmen shepherd dog.

In addition, the complex of International Association «Türkmen alabaý itleri» is under construction in the capital. In general, all of these is a visual indication of active care of the dogs by the government.

Important role in this sphere is given to international partners. In particular, relative long-term cooperation is established with the UNESCO – specialized United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and other big organizations including foreign associations as well as with legal entities and private dog breeders from different countries of the world.   

It was mentioned that specialists of the Association work actively on inclusion of Turkmen traditions to the Representative List of intangible human heritage. Turkmen dog kennel traditions are among these traditions.

In the last years, number of lovers of Turkmen dogs is growing in different parts of the planet. Taking into account this big interest, the work on opening of the website of International Association «Türkmen alabaý itleri», which will support the consolidation of specialists in breeding and training of dogs, scientists and lovers of Turkmen shepherd dogs on historical birth place of famous Central Asian shepherd dogs, is continued.

Our ancestors have made and left us noble principles of harmonious co-existence with the environment, traditions of careful attitude to the nature. These foundations of Turkmen society, which have been improved throughout the centuries and have put deep roots in the conscience of the people, receive new content today, S. Berdimuhamedov said.

Specialists and representatives of universities have stated in their speeches that new specialty – the cynology, have been opened under the livestock breeding department of Veterinary Medicine faculty of Turkmen Agricultural University. The first students master relative knowledge in this direction.

The scientists have made a substantial tour in this history of dogs’ domestication. Following the data of archaeological studies on the territory of Turkmenistan, the antiquity of Turkmen shepherd dog and special attitude of Turkmens to the dog have been stated.