LEGAL ETHNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT DOG BREEDS: THE EXAMPLE OF TURKEY AND CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES

Abstract. Studying the history and revival of ancient (aboriginal) dog breeds, including the Kazakh greyhound/shepherd dog (tobet), Kyrgyz sighthound, Uzbek greyhound, Turkmen greyhound, alabay breeds, is a very significant event in the context of the complicated relationship between “man and nature” nowadays. Kazakh greyhound, Kyrgyz greyhound, Uzbek greyhound is a member of the Eastern greyhound family which is found from North Africa to Central Asia. Moreover, tobets are ancient dog breeds that found from Eurasia – to south-west Asia. There is no doubt that Central Asia is considered the homeland of greyhound and tobet. The sacred consideration of the dog as one of the “seven treasures” of the Kazakh people is firmly entrenched in the minds of Kazakhs. Although there are different versions of the composition of “seven treasures”, in all version the cognition of “dog” was passed from generation to generation without change. In recent years, it has been clearly seen that the number of pure breeds of Kazakh greyhound and Kazakh tobet, one of the cultural values of the Kazakh people, has decreased and it is completely absent in some regions. As well as, the number of zhargak breeds of greyhound has significantly reduced than shashak greyhounds. The change in the species of tobets has become evident in recent years and has caused concern among traditional dog breeders. Supporters of ancient dog breeds, traditional dog breeders and professional cynologists have received support at the government level for open public opinion regarding the decline and entry into change of purebred greyhounds and purebred tobets.