Kazakh Tazy
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Kazakhstan
- Weight
- Males
- Height
- Males
- Coat
- short coat
intro
Kazakh Tazy is a breed of sighthound hunting dog originating from Kazakhstan . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Though it looks similar to the Saluki sighthound, it is a related but different dog breed. [ 4 ] Tazys are used in Kazakhstan primarily for hunting and are considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. [ 5 ] Tazys are recognized by International Canine Federation , [ 6 ] but are not recognized by American Kennel Club , United Kennel Club nor Canadian Kennel Club . [ 7 ] Presently, there are fewer than 300 purebred dogs , and the Kazakh government is taking action to prevent the breed from becoming extinct. [ 5 ] [ 7 ]
Ancestry
The ancestry of this breed is unclear. [ 1 ] The Tazy shares DNA with many similar-looking dog breeds in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. [ 1 ] The breed has a high level of genetic diversity. [ 4 ] [ 8 ]
Appearance
Tazys are medium-sized, deep-chested, and long-legged dogs, with short length hair on the body and longer hair on the tail and ears.
Temperament
Tazys tend to be independent and aloof to strangers. [ 7 ] The Tazy is known for their playfulness, endurance, and vigilance. Tazys can run long distances at speeds of 12-15 kilometers (7–9 miles) per hour. [ 5 ]
Modern History
In 2014, the national hunting group Kanzonar organized a Tazy dog show in Astana . [ 1 ] [ 9 ] This was done to spread awareness of the breed. [ 1 ] The breed was accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in September 2024. [ 10 ]
Ancient History
In nomadic times, Tazies were prized for their skill at running down and killing wolves . [ 1 ] They were also used to hunt hares, wild boars, foxes, badgers, deer, and saigas . [ 4 ] They had a special status in Kazakh culture, with it being considered taboo to refer to this breed merely as a dog. [ 1 ] It was said that a Kazakh would trade 47 horses for a single Tazy. [ 1 ]