Kazakhstan introduces unusual new holiday

Kazakhstan will now officially celebrate “Kazakh Tazy and Tobet Dog Day” every year on September 3. This is stated in Resolution No. 278 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, adopted on April 15 this year.

According to the document, the list of national holidays has been expanded with a new entry, officially designating this date as a public observance.

The initiative is part of an ongoing policy aimed at preserving and breeding the Tazy and Tobet dog breeds, which are considered part of the country’s national heritage. In 2022, the president поручил measures to protect these breeds. Following this, legislation was adopted and practical steps for their conservation and development have been gradually implemented.

In recent years, experts have noted a decline in the population of these breeds and emphasized the need to strengthen protection measures. In 2024, the Tazy breed received official international recognition. Since then, its classification, defining characteristics, and evaluation criteria have been established based on standards developed by Kazakhstan.

For reference, the Tazy is an ancient hunting dog, with traces dating back thousands of years and even appearing in rock art. It was valued by nomadic peoples for its speed and hunting abilities. The Tobet, by contrast, is a large guard dog that has historically protected livestock from wolves and is known for its strength and loyalty.

Today, both breeds are at risk of extinction due to crossbreeding and the decline of traditional use. Therefore, special measures are being implemented in Kazakhstan to preserve and increase their populations.

Earlier, Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with an Akhal-Teke horse and a Turkmen dog as gifts.