Kangal (Kangal Shepherd)

Originally from Turkey, the Kangal, also called the Kangal Shepherd, is a strong and devoted breed. This magnificent dog is well-liked by farmers and shepherds because of its long history of defending livestock from predators. The calm temperament and protective nature of the Kangal combine to make it a devoted family friend and trustworthy working dog.

Kangals are distinguished by their remarkable strength and size; they can reach heights of over 30 inches and weigh as much as 140 pounds. In spite of their bulk, they are kind to their families and frequently exhibit a patient, vigilant demeanor. Their intense devotion to their owners is equal to their bravery in the face of peril.

The Kangal is a good fit for colder climates because of its short, thick coat. Usually pale tan in color, their coat features a characteristic black mask on their face. They don’t have a lot of energy, but they do need room to walk around and maintain good health. They do best in expansive outdoor spaces where they can patrol and work.

All things considered, the Kangal Shepherd is an incredible breed, renowned for its bravery, wit, and protective instincts. These dogs are loyal protectors who build close relationships with their owners, whether they work on a farm or are kept as family pets.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	Turkey
Size	Large, muscular, powerful build
Coat	Short, dense, and weather-resistant
Color	Usually light fawn with a black mask
Temperament	Loyal, protective, calm
Energy Level	Moderate, needs regular exercise
Life Expectancy	12-15 years
Training	Requires a firm and consistent handler
Use	Livestock guardian, family protector

Large and strong, the Kangal Shepherd breed originated in Turkey as a way to protect livestock from wolves. It is well-known for its loyalty and protective tendencies. When trained and socialized appropriately, the Kangal’s strong, muscular frame and serene disposition make it a devoted working dog as well as a loving family friend. It is a gentle, loving pet and a dependable guard due to its natural guarding abilities, though it prefers environments with room to roam and tasks to complete.

Description of the breed Kangal Shepherd (Cangal) and FCI standard

1. Country of origin: Türkiye.
2. Purpose: a watchman, a livestock guard in particular sheep.
3. Classification FCI: Group 2. Pinchers and Schnauzers – Molosses and Swiss Mountain Catual Dogs. Section 2.2. Molosses, mountain dogs. Without work tests.

Picture of Kangal at full development

1. Skull: wide between the ears, slightly convex.
2. Stop (transition from forehead to muzzle): slight.

Picture of a Kangal standing sideways

1. Shoulder blades: muscular, obliquely placed.
2. Elbows: close to the body, free to move.
3. Mescarpus: strong, slightly sloping when viewed from the side.
4. Forefeet: strong, paw pads thick, elastic, short claws.

The breed is distinguished by its dewclaws, which are occasionally double. A puppy is not docked if it is born with dewclaws.

1. Hips: long.
2. Knees: with well-defined angles.
3. Hind legs: strong, paw pads thick, elastic, short claws.

1. Height at the withers: Males 74 – 81 cm. Females 71 – 79 cm.
2. Weight: Males 50 – 65 kg. Females 40 – 55 kg.

Picture of a child and a Kangal

1. Squat, heavy and slow, too massive or too high-legged dogs.
2. Flat skull.
3. Movement short, constrained or with high-lifting front limbs.
4. Coat too long or hanging.

1. Aggressiveness, cowardice.
2. Any dog ​​that clearly shows physical or behavioral abnormalities.
3. Overshot or undershot bite.
4. Muzzle too short (one third of the total length of the head).
5. Coat very short and smooth, devoid of undercoat.

Breed-specific characteristics must be present in all dogs, both functionally and clinically healthy, before they can be used for breeding.

Males are required to have two testicles that are fully lowered into the scrotum and appear normal.

Kangal Shepherd Dog (Kangal) Character

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a brave, perceptive, resilient, and submissive dog by nature. Its mental state is stable, and it only barks when absolutely necessary. It has a calm and balanced temperament, is easy to train, and is loving and loyal to the people it loves. Like a true guard, it reacts to danger right away and settles down just as fast. mistrusts strangers but shows warmth to returning visitors and the owner’s family.

The Kangal is a very responsible breed that exhibits possessiveness toward the owner’s belongings and the land that has been given to it. Like its ancestors, it likes scaling heights and diligently going through its belongings like a true owner. The Kangal breed cannot survive on a chain because it requires unrestricted movement throughout the day.

Images of Kangal competing

The Karabash treats the owner’s kids with kindness, composure, and responsibility because it views the family as a herd and is fiercely protective of them. Given the Kangal’s strength and size, small children should never be left alone with the pet.

It gets along well with other animals, particularly those with whom it is raised. Because males tend to be dominant, the owner must put an end to this behavior as soon as it appears. Although the breed is easy to train, the owner will need to be patient and persistent because Kangals are independent and love their freedom.

Puppies of Anatolian Shepherds require appropriate training from an early age, without resorting to harshness or force. Never strike your animal companion. After the puppy’s mental state is damaged, you will have a big, fearful dog with uncontrollably strong muscles who is either aggressive or cowardly. Puppies raised as Anatolian Shepherds need to be raised with expert knowledge and care. Although Kangal can be trained easily and is a capable student, he cannot stand repetition and becomes bored easily. All this dog needs to do is enroll in obedience classes and an OKD (general training course). When your pet performs a task correctly, always give them praise and a reward.

A Kangal Karabash can be kept in a country home with a yard and a garden. You can construct a roomy enclosure with a canopy for shade and a warm booth. The breed is not sensitive to cold or heat, and its thick fur consistently shields from wind and moisture. It can withstand a wide range of weather conditions. The Kangal requires walks and physical exercise even when kept in the yard.

Training the Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Kangal)

Images of young Kangals

A Kangal puppy needs to be trained from the moment it arrives at your house. The dog has to believe that he is the primary occupant of the home, that he is in charge, and that this is his domain. Given that you displayed weakness at the sight of a fluffy lump and shiny eyes, you run the risk of in the future being faced with a stubborn giant who defies your orders.

1. Having brought the puppy home, immediately put him in the place intended for him – a bed, an aviary or a booth. He will understand – this is his new home. The Kangal must know his place and go there, hearing the owner"s command "Place!". The command is given in a stern tone, for example, if the puppy fell asleep in the middle of the room, interferes with you doing housework, etc.. After saying the command, immediately take the dog to the place.
2. Command "Fu!". The puppy does not behave poorly on a walk or at home: it lifts dirty things from the ground, gnaws objects in the house (remote control, toys, slippers) or wants to pounce on someone while he is passers-by, but they will not be delighted with a huge dog. To learn this team, pull out the prohibited item from the mouth and strictly say “fu!". We do the same if the puppy runs towards strangers.
3. The team "Sit!»Teaches a puppy from 2 months of age. Call the Kangal to you, say the command and raise the toy or treat above its head. Wanting to get a treat, the puppy will throw its head back and sit down, having executed the command. Your task is to praise the baby.
4. When the puppy learns to sit, you can begin teaching the command "Lie down"!. Training is carried out in the same way, only the treat or toy is lowered down. Always praise the pet for executing the command.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Kangal) care and maintenance

Picture of a herd-guarding Kangal dog

Kangal care is basic but required. The breed sheds and has short, thick hair with a dense undercoat. Shedding occurs in large quantities from spring to fall.

Once a week, comb through the coat with a metal comb. In addition to improving skin blood circulation, combing gets rid of dead hair and dust. Comb daily during the shedding phase.

Take a bath once a month at most. Rinse the shepherd’s coat with clean water to remove any river plankton in the summer after swimming in open water.

Once a week, check the ears and clean them only if necessary.

1-2 times per week, use a dog-specific paste to brush the teeth.

For large breeds, trim the claws once a month using a claw clipper.

Walks: The Kangal must be on the move and on long walks. The owner should make time to walk the dog for at least an hour each morning and evening, even if it is kept in the yard.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Kangal) nutrition

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is not a fussy or refined breed when it comes to diet. Controlling weight is crucial when feeding a Kangal because obesity has a detrimental effect on the dog’s health. The body’s immune, musculoskeletal, neurological, and digestive systems should all receive the nutrients, vitamins, and micro- and macroelements required for their proper growth and development from their diet.

The Anatolian Shepherd is fed two different kinds of food:

1. prepared super premium food
2. natural food

Meat, fish, cottage cheese, eggs, porridge made of rice or buckwheat, vegetables, and fruits make up the Kangal diet. It is worthwhile to add vitamin complexes to the food, and you can protect the joints of puppies by feeding them chondroprotectors during their growth period. Give no sweets, smoked foods, potatoes, flour products, or tubular bones to your pet.

The dog should have unrestricted access to clean water all day long. Meals are served within strictly designated hours. If the pet doesn’t finish a dish within fifteen minutes, we put it away until the next feeding.

Pictures of young Kangal Shepherds

Wholesome goods for Kangal

• Rice, buckwheat
• Lean beef
• Scar
• Turkey, chicken (without tubular bones)
• Boiled offal (except liver)
• Seasonal vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, zucchini finely grated) raw
• Fruits
• Fermented milk products (low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt without additives)
• Boneless sea fish (boiled) give 1-2 times a week instead of meat, increase the portion by 20%
• Give eggs 2 times a week (boiled – whole, raw – only the yolk)
• Sauerkraut
• Black dried bread (1-2 pieces at a time)
• Seaweed

Items that are forbidden for Kangal:

• Fatty meat
• Spicy food, seasonings
• Salty foods
• Sweets
• Chocolate
• Pasta
• Grapes, raisins
• Products containing caffeine
• Raw river fish
• Tubular bones

Kangal Shepherd Dog (Kangal) diseases

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia

Kangal photo

Kangal video

The courageous, strong, and devoted Kangal Shepherd is a remarkable and devoted canine. This breed, which originated in Turkey, has a long history of protecting livestock and is still regarded as a fearless guardian today. They are renowned for having a composed manner and the capacity to weigh options before acting.

Kangals are gentle with their families and develop close relationships with their owners despite their intimidating size. They can occasionally present a challenge for novice dog owners because they are sharp and independent thinkers. Early socialization and training are crucial to ensuring they develop into well-mannered and well-rounded friends.

Kangals do not do well in small homes or apartments, but they do well in places where they have room to roam and a task to complete. They are perfect for watching over property or livestock because they have strong protective instincts. These canines may grow to be loyal and watchful family members who provide security and company when given the proper care.

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