Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The president of Turkmenistan honored his favorite breed of dog by erecting a golden canine statue on a pedestal in the country's capital. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, whose affection for the Alabai dog breed previously led him to release a book about the breed, unveiled the golden statue in the center of a roundabout in Ashbagat. Advertisement Turkmenistan's state-run news agency said the statue captures the "dignity and self-assuredness" of the Alabai, which is also known as a central Asian shepherd. Officially released footage from the unveiling of the statue shows a wraparound screen installed on the monument's base playing videos of Alabais in action. The statue was installed as part of an infrastructure initiative in Ashgabat that includes several new high-rise residential buildings and a new shopping center. Read More 'World's fastest bourbon' to take flight in a Harrier jet during aging Robot wolves protecting Japanese town from bears Deer crashes through window into Indiana classroom