Kazakhstan Prime Minister Announces No Export Restrictions on Tazy Dogs
Kazakhstan Decides Against Imposing Export Ban on Tazy and Tobet Dog Breeds
In response to an appeal from Bibigul Zheksenbay, a member of the Senate, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov of Kazakhstan has stated that the country will not impose a ban on the export of the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet dog breeds. This decision was made to avoid hindering the popularization of these breeds, as reported by Kazinform on April 21.
The government believes that export restrictions would reduce international interest, discourage domestic breeders, and lead to a decrease in the number of Tazy dogs due to a lack of demand. Bektenov emphasized that in 2024, Kazakhstan received official preliminary recognition from the International Cynological Federation (FCI) as the country of origin and the holder of the Tazy breed standard.
However, before final recognition can be achieved, certain conditions must be met. These include expanding breeding programs abroad, increasing the dog population, monitoring health and behavior, and actively participating in international dog shows. Additionally, countries in the European sector of the FCI must report annual statistics on Tazy puppies, and the breed’s presence must grow at exhibitions across all levels to gain global recognition.
Senator Zheksenbay had previously called for stricter protection measures, such as a complete export ban or a mandatory licensing system, administrative penalties for crossbreeding, and tighter controls. She pointed out that many countries have special laws to protect native dog breeds, such as Japan’s restrictions on the Akita Inu and Shiba Inu, Türkiye’s restrictions on the Kangal, and Turkmenistan’s restrictions on the Alabai.
Bektenov noted that the National Center for Kazakh Dog Breeds has been ensuring breed purity since January 2023. The center oversees purebred breeding programs, organizes exhibitions and competitions, and maintains the purity of the Tazy and Tobet breeds. Therefore, he believes it is premature to introduce additional penalties for crossbreeding these breeds.
