Putin given premium-breed puppy as gift by Turkmen president

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on Wednesday gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a puppy for his recent birthday.

The puppy, called Vepali – "faithful" in Turkmen – is an Alabai, a Turkmen breed of the Central Asian Shepherd.

Putin, a well-known dog lover, has received puppies as a gift from many foreign leaders over the years.

(AP)