Turkmenistan's capital has been gifted a giant golden dog by its autocratic leader.
The 6-metre statue appeared pride of place, on a busy roundabout in Ashgabat. The Trukmen shepherd dog is a symbol of the country, and a favourite of president Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.
Alabai are traditionally sheep dogs from the central Asian steppes.
The bulky breed which has accompanied the Turkmen herders for centuries is affectionately known as the "wolf crusher" for its prowess as a guard dog. But the local tyrant, Berdymukhammedov, sees a more cuddly side to the animal. The idiosyncratic leader wrote a book of poetry dedicated to the dogs and in 2017 he gifted a puppy to neighbouring president Vladimir Putin of Russia.
![Turkmenistan's dog loving President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow gifted Russia's Vladimir Putin a puppy on a state visit. Photo / Mikhail Metzel, Getty Images](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2NOLOV3WL3NTCDHSUZ4H6Y6XNQ.jpg?auth=af2c1fe42b2a70a570415ca04566ffc2598244cf4be6a7c0a090e86abd4ccec4&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
It might be an odd step, but this giant altar to the dog is not out of place in hermit country which is little explored by foreigners.