The faithful companion of the Kazakh steppes – All about the Tazy breed

History and path to international recognition 

The name "tazy" comes from the Persian word meaning "swift, agile, pure". Purebred tazys were of great value, and their prestige was emphasized by the fact that purebred puppies were given to honored guests. There is evidence that several dozen horses or camels could be exchanged for one tazy.

Tazys were highly respected, as they played a crucial role in providing for the family. During times of famine, a single Tazy could feed an entire village. They were given a special place in the yurt, provided with the best food, and regarded as the pride of the family.

In 1938, there were about 7 thousand representatives of the breed in Kazakhstan. However, with the transition to urbanization and the abandonment of hunting with horses and dogs, the popularity of tazys began to decline. In the middle of the 20th century, tazys began to be bred as pets and shown at exhibitions.

For the first time, the Kazakh and Turkmen lines of Tazy were presented at the All-Union exhibition in Moscow in 1958. Among the participants of the exhibition were 12 Kazakh and 2 Turkmen dogs, and already in 1959 the first breed standard was drawn up, which remained unchanged for a long time. By 1991 it became clear that many pedigrees of Kazakh Tazy were lost.

One of the main obstacles to the breed's recognition was its non-recognition by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). However, cynologists did not give up. In recent years, researchers have conducted genetic analyses that have proven that the Tazy is a unique breed, genetically distinct from other sighthounds such as the Afghan Hound or the Arabian Saluki. These years of efforts have culminated in the long-awaited recognition of the Tazy breed by the FCI in September 2024.

The uniqueness of the breed

This breed of dog is distinguished by its extraordinary agility, speed and endurance. These dogs are unsurpassed hunters, perfectly adapting to both steppe and mountainous terrain.One of the unique advantages of the Tazy is its ability to pursue prey for a long time. Having caught the animal, the Tazy either stays with it, guarding it, or brings it to its owner.

These qualities made it indispensable in hunting large game such as wolves and wild boars. Despite its graceful appearance, the Tazy is capable of handling strong predators.

Modern genetic research has confirmed the breed's unique abilities. Scientists have discovered a unique gene responsible for the Tazy's endurance and sprinting abilities, which distinguishes it from other sighthounds such as the Afghan Hound and the Arabian Saluki.

DNA analysis of Kazakh Tazys also revealed high genetic diversity, which explains their low susceptibility to hereditary diseases. This makes Tazys one of the healthiest breeds among sighthounds. The Tazy breed has an average height of 60-70 cm, weighs between 20-24 kg, and typically lives for 12-15 years.

Tazy's character

Tazys have an independent character and behave with great dignity. They are warm and devoted to their owners, while remaining reserved with strangers. They always have their own opinion and do not tolerate coercion.

Despite this, Tazys are peaceful and friendly dogs that get along well with children and adults, and do not show aggression towards other animals in the house.

However, to maintain a Tazy, you need a deep understanding of their character and behavior. This is a breed that needs attention and time, as they cannot be confined to a leash like other domestic dogs. To keep them in excellent physical condition, you need to exercise them regularly, running with them 2-3 times a week for distances of 10 to 15 kilometers.