The Alabai is a molosser of very ancient origins, originating in Turkmenistan. This dog may reach 90 kg (200 lb), and be over 80 cm (31 in) tall at the withers. Its main function is to protect livestock from predators. In Russia, it has earned the nickname of "volkodav" ("wolf crusher"). During the Soviet era, Russian breeders created the "Central Asian Ovtcharkarka" by mixing several ancestral breeds of Asian molossers, including the Alabai of Turkmenistan, the Tobet of Kazakhstan and the Torkuz of Uzbekistan. The Alabai is one of the original central Asian molosser breeds and is considered a national treasure in Turkmenistan.