Musicians perform during celebrations for the national Turkmen Horse Day and the Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Reuters
Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdymukhamedov, son of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, takes part in celebrations for the national Turkmen Horse Day and the Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day, near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Reuters
A man dressed in a national costume runs with his border guard shepherd dog Alabai during the dog day celebration in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan has celebrated its new state holiday honouring the native dog breed. AP Photo
A man dressed in a national costume, centre, pets his border guard shepherd dog. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov established the holiday to be observed on the same day that Turkmenistan lauds its Akhla-Teke horse, a breed known for its speed and endurance. AP Photo
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has written a book about the Alabai, Turkmenistan's national dog breed. AP Photo
Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdymukhamedov, son of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, holds a puppy of a Turkmen shepherd dog, locally known as Alabai. Reuters
Spectators are seen in the stands during celebrations for the national Turkmen Horse Day and the Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Reuters
A decoration depicting a Turkmen shepherd dog is seen on a fence. Reuters
A handler pets a Turkmen shepherd dog. Reuters
Musicians perform during celebrations for the national Turkmen Horse Day and the Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Reuters
Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdymukhamedov, son of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, takes part in celebrations for the national Turkmen Horse Day and the Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day, near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Reuters
A man dressed in a national costume runs with his border guard shepherd dog Alabai during the dog day celebration in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan has celebrated its new state holiday honouring the native dog breed. AP Photo
A man dressed in a national costume, centre, pets his border guard shepherd dog. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov established the holiday to be observed on the same day that Turkmenistan lauds its Akhla-Teke horse, a breed known for its speed and endurance. AP Photo
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has written a book about the Alabai, Turkmenistan's national dog breed. AP Photo
Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdymukhamedov, son of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, holds a puppy of a Turkmen shepherd dog, locally known as Alabai. Reuters
Spectators are seen in the stands during celebrations for the national Turkmen Horse Day and the Turkmen Shepherd Dog Day near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Reuters
A decoration depicting a Turkmen shepherd dog is seen on a fence. Reuters
A handler pets a Turkmen shepherd dog. Reuters
Turkmenistan introduces a national holiday dedicated to the Alabai, one of the world's largest dogs
The national holiday was marked for the first time on April 25
