|
|
Kangal Dog
Puppies for Sale
Kangal Dog
(Karabash) (Turkish Kangal Dog)
Pascal, the Turkish Kangal Dog at 2 years old. Pascal lives in
Turkey.
|
Find a
Kangal Dog Breeder
Place an Ad |
|
Rescue a Kangal
Dog
List Your Rescue |
|
Description |
The Kangal Dog is a large,
powerful, heavy-boned dog, whose size and proportions have developed
naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against
predators. The head is large and moderately wide with drop ears. A properly
proportioned Kangal Dog is slightly longer (measured from prosternum to
point of buttocks) than tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and
length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should
equal slightly more than one-half of the dog's height. The tail, which is
typically curled, completes the distinctive silhouette. The Kangal Dog has a
double coat that is moderately short and quite dense. The Kangal Dog has a
black mask and black velvety ears which contrast with a whole body color
which may range from light dun to gray. Honorable scars or other evidences
of injury resulting from working in the field are not to be penalized. |
Temperament |
The typical Kangal Dog is
first and foremost a stock guardian dog and possesses a temperament
typical of such dogs -- alert, territorial, and defensive of the domestic
animals or the human family to which it has bonded. The Kangal Dog has the
strength, the speed, and the courage to intercept and confront threats to
the flocks of sheep and goats that it guards in both Turkey and the New
World. Kangal Dogs prefer to intimidate predators but will take a physical
stand and even attack if necessary. Kangal Dogs have an instinctive wariness
of strange dogs but are not typically belligerent toward people. They are
somewhat reserved with strangers, but loyal and affectionate with family. The objective in training this
dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates
under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. |
Height, Weight
|
Height: Males 30-32 inches
(77-86 cm.) Females 28-30 inches (72-77 cm.)
Weight: Male: 110-145 pounds (50-66 kg.) Females 90-120 pounds (41-54 kg.)
|
Health
Problems |
- |
Living
Conditions |
The
Kangal Dog is not recommended for apartment life. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least
a large yard. The Kangal Dog is naturally protective, but is more "people
oriented" than most other livestock guardian breeds. A well-socialized
Kangal Dog is not generally aggressive to people, and especially loves
children--but the breed does not recognize property boundaries. They will
wander, attack stray dogs, and may be aggressive to human intruders,
especially at night. Good fencing is therefore essential. |
|
Exercise |
This breed needs exercise and mental stimulation. Working dogs with acreage
will exercise themselves by patrolling the property and protecting their livestock. Family dogs need daily walks,
jogs or runs and socialization off-property, because if there is
no work to do they will not get adequate mental and physical exercise and may become hard to
handle. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. |
|
Life
Expectancy |
About 12-15 years |
|
Litter Size |
5 - 10 puppies |
|
Grooming |
This breed requires little grooming. The coat
needs thorough brushing-out during the twice a year shedding season. You can get
away with little attention the rest of the year. The Kangal Dog is a
seasonal, heavy shedder. |
|
Origin |
The Kangal Dog is an ancient
flock-guarding breed, thought to be related to the early mastiff-type dogs
depicted in Assyrian art. The breed is named for the Kangal District of
Sivas Province in central Turkey where it probably originated. Although the
breed has long been associated with the family of the Aga of Kangal, large
landholders and chieftains, the majority are bred by villagers who take
great pride in the dogs' ability to guard their flocks of sheep and goats
from such traditional predators as the wolf, bear, and jackal. The relative
isolation of the Sivas-Kangal region has kept the Kangal Dog free of
cross-breeding and has resulted in a natural breed of remarkable uniformity
in appearance, disposition, and behavior. Despite its regional origin, many
Turks consider the Kangal Dog as their national dog. Turkish government and
academic institutions operate breeding kennels where Kangal Dogs are bred
and pedigrees are carefully maintained. The Kangal Dog has been featured on
Turkish postage stamps and coins. The Kangal Dog was first reported in European and
North American canine literature by David and Judith Nelson, Americans who
studied the dogs while resident in Turkey. The Nelsons imported their first
Kangal Dog to the United States in 1985. This dog, and subsequent imports,
provided the foundation for the Kangal Dog in the United States.
True Kangal Dogs are from the province of Sivas and
the town of Kangal. Some people declare all Turkish shepherd's dogs to be
one breed, the Anatolian Shepherd,
however the true Turkish Kangal Dogs are said to be a separate breed from
the generic Turkish shepherd's dog. The export of pure Kangal Dogs from Turkey has been controlled and
now is virtually forbidden. The isolated historical conditions of the
Sivas-Kangal region has resulted in the development of the Kangal Dog as a
distinct breed, which has been declared the National Dog of Turkey and a
national treasure. The true Turkish Kangal Dogs are
first and foremost still primarily working shepherds. The Kangal Dog Club of
America continues to work to ease import restrictions. Imported dogs are
considered to be extremely valuable for their potential contribution to the
genetic pool in the United States. |
|
Group |
Flock Guardian |
Recognition |
UKC, CKC, NKC, APRI, ACR,
KDCA, DRA |
KDCA = Kangal Dog
Club of America
UKC = United Kennel
Club
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
|
Kangal Dog on a Turkish postage stamp.
This is a Turkish stamp depicting
Turkey's most beloved choban kopegi (shepherd's dog) breed, the Kangal Dog.
Kangal Coin issued by the Turkish
government.
____________________________________
Pascal, the Turkish Kangal Dog at 2 years old. Pascal lives in
Turkey.
Pascal, the Turkish Kangal Dog at 2 years old. Pascal lives in
Turkey.
Kangal Dog Pictures 1
|
|
