September 3 marks the first-ever celebration of Kazakh Tazy Day in Kazakhstan. The date was chosen for a reason: on September 3, 2024, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) decided to grant preliminary recognition to Kazakhstan’s national dog breed.

The decision was adopted in Amsterdam. The Kazakh Tazy was assigned international breed standard No. 372, while Kazakhstan was officially recognized as the breed’s country of origin.

For centuries, the Kazakh Tazy has lived alongside people across the Great Steppe, serving as a traditional hunting dog and becoming an integral part of the culture and everyday life of the Kazakh people. Its special place in the national tradition is also reflected in the FCI international standard, which refers to the Tazy as one of the “Zheti Qazyna” the Seven Treasures of the Kazakh people.

Efforts to preserve the breed and secure its international recognition have intensified in recent years. In 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the relevant authorities to take measures to preserve the national breed and promote it internationally.

In 2023, the necessary legislative framework was established. Issues related to the breed standard, certificates of origin, state support, scientific research, and breeding activities were formally regulated.

An important milestone was the accession of the Union of Cynologists of Kazakhstan to the Federation Cynologique Internationale. On August 22, 2023, at the FCI General Assembly in Geneva, the Kazakh organization was granted full membership in the Federation. Its accession was supported by 72 of the 77 countries participating in the vote.

Following this, Kazakhstan gained the opportunity to officially submit its national breed for international recognition. In March 2024, a package of documents on the Kazakh Tazy was submitted to the FCI and reviewed by the Federation’s Standards Commission and Scientific Commission.

In May of the same year, a special single-breed dog show was held in Astana, where 100 Kazakh Tazys of different ages, colors, origins, and types were presented to international experts. FCI specialists assessed the dogs’ conformation, movement, and conformity with the breed type.

As a result of this work, on September 3, 2024, the FCI decided to grant preliminary recognition to the Kazakh Tazy.

“The Kazakh Tazy has lived alongside our people for centuries. The breed has been preserved to this day thanks to hunters, breeders, cynologists, dog owners, and everyone who has worked with the Tazy from generation to generation. International recognition was an important result of this work, but the work does not end there. Our task now is to preserve the Tazy’s breed characteristics, genetic pool, natural traits, and working qualities,” said Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Today, around four thousand Tazys are registered in the Unified Stud Book of the Union of Cynologists of Kazakhstan. The actual number of dogs is higher, however, as some animals in villages and remote areas have not yet been covered by the centralized canine registration system.

Specialists continue their work across the regions, conducting breeding evaluations, collecting information on dogs’ origins, and maintaining records. This work is necessary to trace dogs’ pedigrees and offspring, preserve breed characteristics, and maintain the genetic diversity of the Tazy.

The Kazakh Tazy is also being presented increasingly often at international venues. In 2025, the breed was officially showcased at the World Dog Show in Helsinki.

In June 2026, Kazakhstan presented 12 Tazys at the World Dog Show in Bologna. As part of the FCI World Judges Congress, a separate professional presentation of the breed was also held for international judges. Kazakhstan operated a national pavilion at the show, where visitors could learn about the Tazy as well as the country’s traditions and culture.

Work is also continuing within Kazakhstan. A building for the National Center for Kazakh Dog Breeds is currently under construction in the Zhetysu Region. The project is being organized by the regional akimat with the support of sponsors.

The center will house and breed purebred dogs, maintain the Unified Pedigree Book, and issue certificates of origin. It is also planned to train experts and specialists in cynology, as well as to organize trials, exhibitions, breeding evaluations, and competitions at various levels.

On February 20, 2026, the Government approved the Comprehensive Plan for the Preservation and Reproduction of Kazakh Dog Breeds for 2026-2036. State and non-governmental organizations will participate in its implementation. The plan provides for measures to preserve and reproduce the breeds, maintain breeding records, train specialists, and continue scientific and cynological work.

On April 30, 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received FCI President Tamas Jakkel. The meeting focused on preserving the national breed, establishing a sustainable genetic pool, and further cooperation with the FCI. The President thanked Tamas Jakkel for his support in securing the preliminary recognition of the Kazakh Tazy.

On May 2, as part of the Astana Winner 2026 international dog show in Astana, a special Kazakh Tazy single-breed show was held. Representatives of the FCI, as well as Kazakh and foreign cynologists, took part in the event.

Preliminary recognition by the FCI is only one stage of the process. Before full recognition can be granted, the breed must undergo a lengthy period of observation and demonstrate stability over several generations. During this period, breeding records will continue to be maintained, while the dogs’ health, breed type, genetic diversity, natural traits, and working qualities will be closely monitored.

September 3 is therefore not only a date marking the international recognition of the Kazakh Tazy, but also a reminder of the importance of preserving this national breed and passing it on to future generations.