ASTANA — The General Committee of the International Canine Federation (FCI) decided on Sept. 4 to grant preliminary recognition to the Kazakh Tazy as an official dog breed, designating Kazakhstan as the breed’s standard holder.
The work on the revival of the Kazakh breeds Tazy and Tobet is under the patronage of the Office of Presidential Affairs.
According to Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration’s press service, this decision is a key and final step before fully recognizing the Tazy as a Kazakh breed at the international level.
FCI President Tamás Jakkel congratulated Kazakhstan on this historic decision, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming ten years, during which health tests and data on the breed must be collected to ensure the Tazy’s well-being and secure its place as a recognized breed globally.
International Recognition
President of the Kazakh Union of Cynologists, Bauyrzhan Serikkali, spoke to Kazinform news agency about the timeline for international recognition of the Kazakh Tazy dog breed, the challenges in breed verification, and the steps being taken for its preservation and development.
About the number of Tazy dogs in Kazakhstan, The President of the Kazakh Union of Cynologists said:” Exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint, as many owners do not register their dogs with cynological organizations. The breed is popular in rural areas. This spring, the KCU conducted breed inspections nationwide, registering dozens of dogs at each inspection, often 70-90 individuals. While not all were purebred, most met the breed standard, with 10-20% being high quality. It is safe to say there are several thousand Tazy dogs in Kazakhstan”.
He added: “As for those officially registered in the KCU’s Unified Stud Book, the number stands at 2,757. Government attention to this issue has positively impacted the preservation and international recognition of the breed, leading to a significant increase in Tazy registrations”.
Bauyrzhan Serikkali said:”Breed affiliation is confirmed by experts during special breed inspections. Each dog is evaluated according to the breed standard, which describes the ideal representative in detail, including conformation of the head, body, limbs, tail, coat, and other characteristics. If the dog matches the description, it receives a ‘zero’ pedigree, meaning a pedigree with the note ‘no data on origin.’ If the dog joins a cynological organization and its offspring are documented according to breeding rules, the puppies’ pedigrees will list their ancestors”.
Conditions for Tazy Owners
The KCU offers favorable conditions for Tazy owners, including free pedigree issuance, breed inspections, and opportunities to obtain pedigrees. Partner clubs organize Tazy exhibitions and conduct breeding work. The number of Tazys in the KCU system is steadily increasing, as reflected in the Unified Stud Book.
The main issue is the lack of understanding among owners about the importance of adhering to breeding requirements and maintaining proper documentation. Some owners get a ‘zero’ pedigree after an inspection, thinking their work is done, but fail to properly document litters and puppies. Breeding requirements are strict: pedigrees can only be issued if all conditions are met, including positive confirmation ratings for parents, litter registration, puppy inspection at five-seven weeks, and microchipping. If these conditions are not met, the pedigree documents cannot be issued, causing a generation of dogs to fall out of the breeding process, necessitating a restart.
Since 2022, Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration, on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has prioritized the recognition of the Kazakh Tazy. Over the past two years, their work included legislative amendments, scientific research, breeding shows, and exhibitions.
Registration of dog breeds for international recognition is only possible through national cynological organizations with full FCI membership. In August 2023, Kazakhstan’s Union of Cynologists met all FCI requirements and achieved full membership, earning the right to declare its national dog breeds.
History of over 4,000 Years.
President of Kazakhstan’s Union of Cynologists Bauyrzhan Serikkali expressed pride in the achievement, noting the breed’s deep historical and cultural significance to Kazakhstan. He emphasized the importance of preserving and popularizing the Tazy, which has a history of over 4,000 years.
In February, President Tokayev presented French President Emmanuel Macron with two Tazy puppies.
Last year, President Tokayev also presented Kazakh pop star Dimash Kudaibergen with a Kazakh Tazy.
Preserving this breed is vital because it embodies the historical legacy of the Kazakh people and has been passed down through generations to the present day. In 2022, Kazakhstan pledged to allocate 1.4 billion tenge (US$3 million) to preserve and reproduce tazy and tobet hunting dog breeds.
Unique Breed of Dog
The Tazy is a unique breed of dog and occupies a worthy place in Zheti Kazyna, which has deep cultural significance for Kazakhstan and reflects the values and ideals of traditional nomadic society. In Turkic culture, Zheti (the number seven) is often considered sacred and symbolizes harmony. Traditionally, Zheti Kazyna includes key aspects of Kazakh life: intellect for survival in the harsh conditions of the nomadic way of life, mobility, hunting, protection, family, and culture.
The very name Tazy translates to “swift, fast,” which corresponds to their natural characteristics. They are born hunters with a calm and majestic character, making them excellent companions in any condition.
The Tazy’s history dates back to the early Soviet period when hunting played a crucial role in Kazakhstan’s economy. However, the breed faced near extinction in the post-war years of the 20th century. Thanks to the dedication of enthusiasts, the Tazy was preserved, and efforts to restore the breed have since intensified.
There are several thousand Tazy dogs in Kazakhstan today, but the threat of losing unique cultural features due to globalization and urbanization remains. Preservation and promotion of the Tazy are vital to maintaining Kazakhstan’s rich cultural heritage.