Kazakhstan marked its first Kazakh Tazy and Tobet Day on September 3, 2026. At a ceremony held by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, 20 dog handlers, breeders and specialists involved in preserving the national breeds received awards.
The first celebration
Kazakh Tazy and Tobet Day was added to Kazakhstan's list of commemorative dates in April 2026. At the first ceremony, participants received certificates of merit and letters of appreciation from the ministry. The new date brings together two national breeds associated with the country's traditional way of life and cultural heritage.
Around 4,000 Tazy dogs are registered in the unified studbook of the Union of Cynologists of Kazakhstan. This figure covers officially registered dogs, not the entire population. Some animals in villages and remote areas have yet to be included in the centralised register.
Why September 3 was chosen
On September 3, 2024, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, or FCI, granted provisional recognition to the Kazakh Tazy. Kazakhstan was designated as the breed's country of origin, and international standard No. 372 was approved for the Tazy. The decision was an interim step, not full recognition.
The process was preceded by the Union of Cynologists of Kazakhstan joining the FCI, submitting the required documents and staging a single-breed show in Astana. International experts examined 100 Tazy dogs of different ages, origins and colours at the event.
What comes next
Full recognition requires proof that the breed remains stable over several generations. Specialists will need to continue pedigree registration, veterinary and genetic research, and monitoring of the Tazy's natural and working qualities.
A National Centre for Kazakh Dog Breeds is being built in the Jetisu Region. Plans for the centre include maintaining a studbook, supporting purebred breeding, training specialists, and holding shows and working trials. Standard No. 372 and the FCI recognition process concern the Tazy, not the Tobet.
