The Alabai dog, or the Central Asian shepherd dog, is a livestock guardian breed. Originating from Central Asia in modern-day Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and surrounding regions, this breed dates back at least 5,000 years.
With a proven track record of keeping livestock safe from predators, Alabai dogs are among the best livestock guardian breeds. However, finding a reputable Alabai dog breeder can be challenging and costly.
In this article, we’ll answer the question of how much an Alabai dog is and cover the general characteristics of this livestock guardian breed. Continue reading to learn these as we discuss everything related to the price of Alabai dogs and adopting one.
Alabai Dog Price
Alabai dogs are working dogs with very few breeders in the United States. Compared to popular breeds, like the golden retriever or a poodle mix, you’re likely to have a difficult time finding a reputable breeder in your area.
Due to the small number of Central Asian shepherd dog breeders, there’s a wide price range among Alabai puppies up for adoption. In the US, the price of an Alabai dog varies between $1,200 to $5,000.
The price mainly depends on the breeder, as well as the puppy or the young adult dog’s family. Alabai dogs with multiple generations of livestock guarding in their lineage tend to be costlier.
There are also Alabai dogs imported from Central Asia, Russia, and the Caucasus. The price of imported Alabai dogs starts at around $3,500 and goes all the way up to $10,000. However, these Alabai dogs are more for those looking to breed them than people who want to adopt one to protect their livestock and property.
Alabai Dog Breed Information
Now that we’ve answered how much these dogs cost, here’s a quick overview of Alabai dog breed characteristics to help you determine if this livestock guardian is the right breed for you (for a more in-depth look, we recommend Dog Academy’s Alabai breed guide).
Size
Alabai dogs are big dogs that weigh between 90 and 160 pounds, with an average height of 24 to 28 inches at the withers. This makes the Alabai dog one of the largest breeds.
Temperament
Alabai dogs have the typical characteristics of livestock guardians. They are protective with a confident personality. Alabai dogs are always alert and keep a watchful eye over their territory.
When socialized properly, they can get along well with other animals in the family, including dogs and cats. Alabai dogs are also suitable for families with young children, but supervision is essential to ensure their large size doesn’t create a problem around kids.
Intelligence and Training
Alabai dogs are incredibly intelligent dogs, but not in the typical sense. Since these dogs have been utilized to protect livestock for thousands of years, they have an independent mind. While Alabai dogs are quick to understand things and able to differentiate an actual threat from something silly, they aren’t the most trainable dogs.
Alabai dogs are independent thinkers who like to act on their own. This makes teaching them tricks difficult compared to a dog breed like the poodle, which is eager to please their owners that way. Alabai dogs much rather satisfy their owners by protecting what’s theirs and taking pride in their work while doing so.
Health
Alabai dogs are generally healthy dogs that live between 12 and 17 years. Since larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs, their life expectancy alone proves how healthy the Alabai dog is.
Still, Alabai dogs are at risk of health problems that affect most large dog breeds, like hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and arthritis.
Feeding
Alabai dogs are big dogs and need to eat accordingly. Adults require about four to six cups of dog food per day, depending on their size. If feeding raw, Alabai dogs should eat equivalent to two to three percent of their body weight.
Having said all this, it isn’t only getting an Alaba dog that is costly. Because these dogs need to eat a lot, you should keep in mind the total cost of having an Alabai dog as your livestock guardian.
Is the Alabai Dog the Right Breed for Me?
Alabai dogs might be expensive, but they can be worth the price. If you need a livestock guardian to watch over your property to keep predators away, how much an Alabai dog costs shouldn’t be a problem. You can consider these dogs as an investment to ensure predators aren’t getting anywhere near your livestock or property.
For those simply looking for a big pet, Alabai dogs may be too demanding to handle. These dogs require a lot of space to roam and a purpose to thrive. Alabai dogs can become too difficult to manage without these, as they are powerful dogs.
Overall, the Alabai dog is a perfect breed if you need a livestock guardian. Those looking for a big dog as a family pet should look for more suitable breeds, like the Bernese mountain dog, Newfoundland, or Saint Bernard.
