PROGRAM
OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:
“ABORIGINAL DOG BREEDS AS A PART OF BIODIVERSITY AND OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANKIND”
(Almaty, Kazakhstan, September 10-15, 2007)

The dog was the first animal domesticated by humans; other species were domesticated at a considerably later time. Two species, the dog and the horse, were especially crucial for the development of civilization. In modern times, the role of these species, our first satellites and allies, has become less important. There are, however, still many facets of our life in which it is hard to do without a dog. Dogs are our protectors and our assistants in hunting and herding, guard cattle and property, guide and assist the disabled, and are used for search and rescue in places hit by disasters. They help us to uphold the law and are our friends and companions.

During most of the history of our civilization, there have been breeds different from those which we know today, the ones which have been developed during the last couple of centuries using modern methods of selection. The older breeds were relatively purebred dogs specialized to perform a particular service, or ‘breedless’ dogs suitable for a variety of purposes. Dogs hunted with humans and protected them and their homes from predators and robbers, guarded caravans and herds, took part in wars, worked with teams rescuing the wounded from battlefields, and were used as entertainers and companions. In the past, working ability was valued more than appearance. Nowadays such dogs are labeled as ‘primitive.’ They are not recognized by cynological organizations, and the majority of breeders are not interested in them. Their populations in their original areas of distribution are shrinking to such an extent that they can be considered endangered.

They well deserve to be a part of the biodiversity of the planet. Our task is to preserve them as we got them from our ancestors, and so to make it possible for future generations to enjoy their remarkable qualities. This is particularly important because dogs, unlike wild animals, cannot survive in parks and nature reserves; they need the participation of their human owners. In Central Asia alone, during the last hundred years, the Javzy, Karateginka, Gurdji, the Kalmyk Spitz and the Kazakh Spitz have disappeared. Several breeds of local herding or hunting dogs, such as the Kazakh Tobet, Kyrgyz Dobot, and the Tajik Dakhdarma, the Tazy of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and the Taigan of Kyrgyzstan have nearly become extinct. The Institute of Ecological Monitoring, the Club of Purebred Dogs of Kazakhstan, and the International Primitive and Aboriginal Dog Society are planning the first International Conference on Aboriginal Breeds of Dogs as Part of Biodiversity and of the Cultural Heritage of Humankind. The event will take place in September, 2007, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The Goal of the Conference : to awaken the public to the possibility of the extinction of aboriginal dog breeds, breeds which have played an important role in the development of civilization, and which at present find themselves on the verge of extinction in most parts of the world

Major topics of the Conference:

1. Breeds and groups of breeds of different countries, their history, distribution and contemporary state.
2. Selective breeding of aboriginal breeds.
3. Peculiarities of breeding, keeping, feeding and veterinary assistance concerning aboriginal dogs.
4. Importance of aboriginal dogs as a part of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
5. Information about activities of International Society of Primitive Aboriginal Dogs (PADS).

6. Within framework of the Conference, there will be a round table “Aboriginal Dogs of Kazakhstan, their history, preservation and future”. We are open for suggestions of other topics of round tables about aboriginal dogs and other related topics.
7. Presentations. “Primitive Breeds – Perfect Dogs”, 2000: Don Hoflin Publ., by Vladimir Beregovoy. We call for other claims for presentations of other publications about aboriginal dogs.

Organizational Committee accepts applications from interested participants until February 1, 2007; please, include:
Full name
Employment position, title, rank or honor, if any
Mailing address, including postal index
E-mail address
Telephone, including city code
Title of the presentation (report to the general audience, or visual presentation)
Need for assistance with obtaining Visa
Need for reservation in a hotel.

The next information letter about the first international conference “Aboriginal Breeds of Dogs as Parts of Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage of Humankind” will be sent only on request and to e-mail as indicated by the participant.

We ask interested participants to submit applications to one of the following addresses:
aliska@ntelos.net – Vladimir Beregovoy (USA)
elchor@nursat.kz - Konstantin Plakhov (Kazakhstan)
logoveg@mail.ru - Marina Kuzina (Russia).

Organizational Committee reserves the right to accept or reject submitted materials.

Checklist of moderately priced hotels in Almaty, Kazakhstan, most suitable for participants of the Conference
*** - moderately priced
***** - more expensive


¹ Name Telephone Comments
1 Astana *** +7 (327) 250-70-50
2 Alma-Ata *** +7 (327) 272-00-70
3 Alatau *** +7 (327) 258-11-11
4 Otrar *** +7 (327) 273-00-46
5 Altyn-Dan *** +7 (327) 274-97-21
6 Kazakhstan *** +7 (327) 291-99-06 One of several
7 Kargalinka *** +7 (327) 250-08-28 One of several
8 Rakhat Palace ***** +7 (327) 247-48-53
9 Ankara ***** +7 (327) 272-02-23