We, the undersigned, address international organizations, including the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and national governments, with an appeal to reconsider existing bans on the cropping of ears and tails of the Turkmen wolfhound (alabai)—a guardian and shepherd of domestic animals with a 4,000-year history. These bans complicate their protective functions, threaten injuries from predators that can be fatal, and undermine centuries-old breeding traditions of this unique breed.

 
The petition is addressed to:

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which made decisions related to Convention ETS No. 125.

At the level of member states, responsibility for implementing these rules rests with national governments and relevant ministries (agriculture, ecology, animal protection).

The Council of Europe

The International Cynological Federation (FCI), founded on 22.05.1911

The European Parliament

Unfortunately, according to our sources, not only bureaucratic procedures are involved in protecting and preserving the breeding culture of wolfhounds, but also political parties in Europe! In particular, the “Green” Party exploits decisions affecting the fate of wolfhounds in Europe to gain political dividends by promoting bans through the FCI.

 
What are we demanding?

This breed, with a history of over 4,000 years, is a symbol of the traditions and cultural heritage of Turkmenistan and the entire Central Asian region, now recognized worldwide.

In this regard, we request to expand the list of countries that negotiate special conditions when ratifying Convention ETS No. 125 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, based on requests from governments and relevant ministries (agriculture, ecology, animal protection).

These are primarily countries with developed livestock farming and, consequently, a significant population of Turkmen wolfhounds.

 
Cropping of the ears and tails of the Turkmen wolfhound is not cruelty but a necessity for preserving the functionality of the breed, which is used to guard herds and protect against predators.

We ask for respect for the breeding traditions of ancient shepherd dog breeds.

The Turkmen wolfhound has always undergone strict trials before being allowed to breed, and cropping was an important part of preparing dogs for their working functions.

We seek to prevent discrimination against the Turkmen wolfhound. In Europe, cropping is allowed for several working breeds, but the ban on the Turkmen wolfhound violates the principle of equal treatment of ancient dog breeding traditions.

 
Why is this important?

The Turkmen wolfhound, actively spread over the last 50 years, is not just a dog breed but a cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation. Artificial restrictions on breeding traditions harm not only the breed but also the entire culture and entire livestock sectors.

Such restrictions do not exist in the breed’s homeland—Turkmenistan—or among its closest neighbors: Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. They also do not exist in any of the post-Soviet countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic states.

 
Cropping of ears and tails is a practical necessity for protecting dogs used to guard herds and fight predators. Bans endanger the breed's historical functional abilities and its value as a guardian of herds from wolves, bears, and even lynxes.

Remove discrimination against the Turkmen wolfhound compared to other working breeds.

In central Europe, the governments of England and Germany achieved exceptions to the rules for 15 breeds native to their countries.

Cultural traditions such as bullfighting (corrida), which involve risks of death for both bulls and participants, are permitted. Against this backdrop, the ban on test trials and cropping of ears and tails of the Turkmen wolfhound is unfounded and discriminatory.

 
Why is this important?

The Turkmen wolfhound is not just a dog breed but a living embodiment of cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations for centuries.

The Turkmen wolfhound, also known as the Turkmen Ity, Modjek Ity, Goyun Ity, or Chopon Ity, and sometimes referred to in new breeding zones as the Alabai or Central Asian Shepherd Dog (CAS), is one of the oldest dog breeds. It developed under the nomadic shepherding culture of Central Asia. These dogs, with their powerful build, broad chests, and strong limbs, are designed to guard small and large livestock as well as property across deserts, mountains, forests, and steppes.

 
Their ears are naturally triangular, hanging down and covering the ear canal, which not only impairs sound perception when guarding herds but also allows ticks to penetrate under the hanging part of the ear and form large colonies that pose a deadly threat to herd guards in the wild. Hanging ears in dogs can also create favorable conditions for ear infections and parasitic diseases. By covering the ear canal, these ears hinder ventilation, which promotes the accumulation of moisture and earwax, creating an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and parasites, including ear mites, to thrive.

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are microscopic parasites that live in the ear canals of animals. They feed on earwax and skin flakes, causing itching, inflammation, and infections. Dogs with hanging ears are more susceptible to ear mites due to limited ventilation.

Additionally, ixodid ticks living on the dog's body can transmit dangerous diseases such as babesiosis (piroplasmosis), anaplasmosis, and Lyme disease. These diseases are widespread in Europe and can have serious health consequences for dogs, including death if not treated in time. In the breed's homeland—Turkmenistan—ticks are not as dangerous to herd guards, as these dogs have adapted to them. However, in Europe, ticks are deadly for them.

For this reason, their ears have always been cropped for thousands of years. Wounds and cartilage tears, especially injuries to the tail, heal very slowly and with difficulty compared to skin and muscle wounds. Therefore, cropping is essential.

 
This is particularly true for the tail, which is typically set high and can only be cropped. Since the tail is an extension of the spine, any injury or partial loss during a fight with predators can lead to severe complications, including osteomyelitis.

Even a comparison with wild canines—wolves and jackals, the main enemies of the wolfhound—shows differences in ear and tail structure. Wolves have relatively small, erect ears that enhance sound perception and allow them to shake off and groom out ticks. Their tails are about one-third the length of their bodies. Jackals have slender bodies, long legs, sharp muzzles, erect ears, and bushy tails, also about one-third of their body length.

 
Turkmen shepherds, to avoid directly mentioning wolves and attracting misfortune, use euphemisms. Around campfires, they call wolves "gysga gulok," which translates from Turkmen as "short-eared." This refers to the fact that wolves have shorter, erect ears compared to the hanging ears of many domestic dogs. Thus, the term "short-eared" has become synonymous with "wolf" in Turkmen shepherd culture and historically symbolized the ideal ear and tail shape for working with herds.

This is not about giving an aesthetic, brutal look to the phenotype—it is a genuine need to preserve the health of shepherd breeds.

 
Summarizing this anatomical comparison of canines, we must recognize that evolution and adaptation have endowed wild canines, such as wolves and jackals, with short, erect ears and relatively short tails to minimize injury risks. These differences did not go unnoticed by shepherds observing wolfhound battles with predators.

Domestic dogs, including the Turkmen wolfhound, have ears and tails of different shapes and lengths due to their hereditary traits, making them more vulnerable to injuries and tick attacks.

 
For more than 4,000 years, the ancestors of the Turkmen people have cropped the ears and tails of their protective wolfhounds on the third day after birth. This practice has been carried out for millennia to prevent injuries to working shepherd dogs, as cropped ears and tails are less prone to cuts, tears, and other damage during their work.

Considering the current threat to the culture of breeding and maintaining the Turkmen wolfhound, it raises a legitimate question about conflicts of interest.

Why do European officials, including the FCI, represented by director Jakkera Thomas, irresponsibly exploit the health and heritage of a 4,000-year-old Turkmen wolfhound breeding culture to demonstrate bureaucratic activity?

 
These artificial restrictions, such as bans on cropping and trials, undermine the breed's existence and functionality. Trials for wolfhounds are comparable to many other national traditions in Europe, such as bullfighting, which is recognized as cultural heritage.

 
Sign the petition if you agree that:

The breeding traditions and trials of the Turkmen wolfhound are an integral part of world cultural heritage.

International legislation should consider the unique features of ancient breeds and national cultural traditions.

Bans on trials and ear/tail cropping discriminate against the breeding culture of the Turkmen wolfhound, especially when bullfighting, which involves painful killing of bulls and even occasional death of matadors, is still permitted in central Europe.