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Louise Thomas
Editor
Russian president Vladimir Putin has been given another puppy as a gift.
The latest addition to his pack is a Central Asian Shepherd bestowed by the president of Turkmenistan on Wednesday.
Turkmenistan's president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov presented Mr Putin with the puppy as a birthday gift.
Mr Putin, an avid dog lover, turned 65 at the weekend.
Mr Putin cuddled Verny, which is Russian for "loyal", and kissed the pup on the head during a meeting in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Mr Putin previously received a Bulgarian shepherd named Buffy from Bulgaria's premier and an Akita named Yume from a Japanese official.
The Russian leader has also been given horses and even a tiger.
Turkmenistan is a former Soviet republic.
AP
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