The Turkmen shepherd dog, locally known as Alabai, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
(Picture: REUTERS)Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has unveiled a giant gold statue of his favourite dog on a busy traffic circle in his country’s capital.
The statue also features a screen around the pedestal which features footage of Turkmenistan’s beloved Alabai dogs at play.
A state television report showed Mr Berdymukhamedov staring at the 50ft statue while lively music played in the city of Ashgabat.
The country’s state-run news agency said the statue captures the “dignity and self-assuredness” of the shepherd breed.
A young boy was handed an Alabai dog, handmade carpets and the ancient Ahal Teke breed of race horse, during the unveiling ceremony of the statue.
According to the Turkmenistan government, the statue is cast of bronze and is covered in 24ct gold leaf. With the statue itself standing tall at 20ft and the podium measuring 30ft, it is said to reach a total height of 50ft.
Dogs are popular animals in Turkmenistan as they are often used by the country’s traditional herders.
Meanwhile, Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has just unveiled a gisnt statue of his favorite dog pic.twitter.com/NSlIlXbAoH
— Piotr Zalewski (@p_zalewski) November 12, 2020
Mr Berdymukhamedov has written a poem about the Alabai and has celebrated the significance of the breed as part of the country’s national heritage. In 2017 he gifted Russian president Vladimir Putin with an Alabai puppy.
The Turkmenistan leader was criticised for his handling of the dog after he took it by the neck and held it in the air.
The golden Alabai joins another statue on a different major junction, also coated in gold, of the president seated on a horse.
