Kangal – Turkish Shepherd

The Kangal, also called the Turkish Shepherd, is a magnificent breed renowned for its gentle disposition and exceptional guarding skills. These dogs, who are Turkish by origin, have been guarding cattle for centuries and have a reputation for being strong, courageous, and devoted.

Kangals are distinct from one another and easy to identify. They have a short coat, a powerful build, and a black mask that stands out against their lighter fur. They can fend off predators like wolves and bears thanks to their strength and size, which makes them the perfect flock protectors.

Kangals are renowned for their peaceful and loving personalities among their families, even in spite of their formidable prowess. They can develop close relationships and are loyal to their owners. They are devoted guardians and devoted pets because of their protective instincts, which also extend to their human companions.

This article will examine the Kangal people’s history, traits, and medical requirements. You’ll learn more about what makes the Kangal breed unique, whether you’re thinking about bringing one into your home or you’re just interested in learning more about this amazing animal.

Breed characteristics

Brief description
Origin:	Turkey
Conditions of keeping:	In an enclosure in the yard of a private house
Purpose:	Flock (guards herds) / watchdog
Color:	Yellow, brown with gray tan on the chest, there is a black mask on the muzzle
Hair length:	Short, hard
Sizes of an adult dog:	Turkish standard: height 65-78 cm, without division into males and females.

Average values for standards from other nations (England, USA, New Zealand):

History of the origin of the species

The Kangal breed has a very long history that dates back several millennia, and its exact origins are unknown. The Kangal region in the Turkish province of Sivas is where historical sources record the first human settlements around 7000 BC, and this is where most researchers believe the distant ancestors of the modern Kangal lived. During this stage of the Stone Age, humanity accomplished some remarkable feats.

The shift to agriculture has been completed, and both cattle breeding and agriculture are growing. To obtain a pet guard, an individual starts to exert dominance over the dogs residing in these areas. These dogs eventually mix with members of a different population, hounds that traveled with the hunting tribes. This is the formation of a magnificent example of a "high-speed fighter," which spares no enemy, not even wolves, jackals, or bears.

When it comes to safeguarding someone’s property and livestock, Kangal steps in as the primary guard and is a valuable helper. The Kangal is unmatched in its industry, according to Turkish shepherds, who correctly perceive that it can react quickly in any weather to save human herds of animals.

The Kangal breed, on the other hand, did not experience major morphological changes because of the highland plateau of Sivas’s advantageous geographic location for livestock breeding and the fact that many nomad tribes that migrated there adopted sedentary lifestyles.

Despite being widely used in pastures throughout Turkey, the breed was not officially recognized until the 1970s of the 20th century and lacked regalia. There were names like "coban kopegi" (literally, shepherd dog) and "coban köpeğimiz" (shepherd dog) in Turkish.

But eventually, foreign breeders shipped a number of dogs to America and established two clubs there. An alternative name for the breed, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, was introduced into circulation in place of Kangal. Through the efforts of the Cynology Federation of Turkey (KIF), it was possible to introduce a standard and forbid the export of the original breed (which was permitted without the right to breed, provided the necessary package of documents was registered). A dog from the Kangal region served as the basis for the accepted standard.

Since then, the breed’s development has truly proceeded in two directions:

1. Breeding of the Kangal line without admixtures of other breeds, which does not go beyond the borders of Turkey.
2. Selection of descendants of previously exported Kangals, carried out outside the country by crossing with other Turkish breeds of shepherd species.

Distinctive features

The Turkish Cynological Federation (KIF) is the only organization that recognizes the Kangal breed, which is characterized in national cynological reference books as an extremely large dog with a superbly formed muscular system.

Principal external features:

• Head large, with a slightly pronounced furrow, the skull is round.
• Stop not pronounced.
• Muzzle wide, slightly narrowed, has a characteristic black mask.
• Jaws strong.
• Ears wide, triangular, rounded at the ends, set low, have black spots; docked.
• Eyes medium, almond-shaped, color – shades of dark brown.
• Eyelids dense.
• Bite scissor-shaped.
• Coat short, hair hard; undercoat thick, very dense.
• Neck medium length, muscles are clearly defined.
• Body powerful, strong, heavy, muscular.
• Limbs straight, strong, medium length.
• Color yellow, brown with gray markings on the chest, there is a black mask on the muzzle.
• Tail long, in a natural position slightly lowered.

Photo of an adult dog

Remarkable in size, strength, and loyalty, the Kangal is a Turkish shepherd dog breed. This breed, which was initially developed to keep livestock safe from harm, is excellent at guarding and gets along well with family members. The Kangal is a powerful and peaceful animal that makes for a devoted and trustworthy friend as well as a fearsome protector.

Photo of puppies

Characteristics and behavior

Kangal dogs are a calm, independent breed that can handle any circumstance. When they sense danger, they act quickly. Possessing great strength and self-assurance, these dogs make the best guardians for both humans and the herd that has been entrusted to them. Protection is provided from an elevated position. They can "smell the enemy" from a great distance because they have keen vision and a keen sense of smell. fearless when battling untamed animals that prey on livestock. No matter what "protective object" they use, they are willing to give their lives to finish the job.

Kangals are strong-willed and independent, and they should have clear rules and boundaries when they first communicate with the owner. Give in to a strong, self-assured individual with emotional control.

Dogs are regarded as non-aggressive, balanced animals with stable psyches.

Male Kangals and males of other large breeds of dogs should not be kept in the same area, despite their neutral behavior toward other pets.

Advantages

The primary benefit of Kangals is their extraordinary performance; they can function in any climate and go extended periods of time without food or drink. Furthermore, Kangals are known for being the best guard dogs, and for good reason.

Owners of Kangals observe the following outstanding traits in their dogs:

1. Stable psyche;
2. Observation;
3. Exceptional dedication and devotion to the owner;
4. Physical endurance and energy;
5. Unapproachable, intimidating appearance;
6. Courage and determination, especially when performing security functions.

Disadvantages

Among the drawbacks associated with the Kangal are the following:

• Wary in relations with strangers, including in the presence of the owner. These dogs need time to establish contact.
• Not suitable for living in an apartment.
• Requires a significant "workload".
• Long-term free walking is recommended, excessively active physical activity (running) is contraindicated.

Care and maintenance

Kangals are renowned for their modesty. This breed is among the select few that doesn’t require particular maintenance conditions. It can live almost entirely outside thanks to its thick undercoat and short, hard hair. However, as soon as the puppy enters the house, a location for eating and sleeping needs to be decided. The dog shouldn’t have "its own places" in the house because of its strict nature and the responsibilities that are placed before it.

Retaining a dog in a small, enclosed area; apartments are not included.

Remember to regularly check your eyes and ears.

• Checking ears is carried out 1 time per week, and their cleaning – as needed. It is not recommended to use hydrogen peroxide to clean the ears, it is better to use a regular cotton swab moistened with water.
• Eyes do not require special care, but at the same time it is necessary to ensure that their color remains dark brown, without clouding. If the eye color changes or there is mucus, the dog must be shown to a veterinarian to determine the nature of the discharge. Given that Kangal spends a lot of time on open pastures, we can talk about a bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment.
• Claws Kangal dogs usually wear themselves out during "working" walks. But if the pet does not have a significant amount of time for daily free walking, the claws must be trimmed with special steel scissors.
• Teeth do not require cleaning in cases where the Kangal"s diet consists of natural food and contains hard vegetables – carrots, cabbage (stalks). Additionally, for cleaning teeth and massaging gums, it is possible 1 time per month to give the dog a corn with the remains of meat. Teeth must be examined 1 time in 2-3 weeks (1 time per week – if the dog eats dry food), paying special attention to the canines and molars. If plaque is detected, special toothpastes are used. If the pet does not allow the cleaning procedure – edible cartilage and treats specially developed for this purpose.

Nutrition

The puppy’s diet is structured according to this plan:

• Puppies under 5 months of age: 3 feedings;
• Puppies aged 5 months and older, as well as adult dogs: 2 feedings.

The serving size is in line with the recommended daily intake of food for large dog breed puppies, which is 1 l at 5 months and 1.5–2 l at 12 months.

While adult dogs eat much less, Kangals are special in that they can regulate how much they eat on their own. They are the only members of the species that can "plan a fasting day" and go without food entirely.

It is best to feed this breed natural food, which should include items like these in its diet:

• meat;
• fish;
• offal;
• cereals (buckwheat, rice);
• vegetables (onions in any form are completely excluded);
• fermented milk products.

It is advised to incorporate vitamin complexes with high levels of minerals, vitamins A, and D into the diet twice a year.

Large breed dogs frequently have cartilage and joint issues, so even though proven vitamin complexes like Canina and Nutri-Vet are expensive, they are worth using.

The dog should always have access to water throughout the day.

It is possible to use dry food, but for large breeds, you will need to buy the class Premium (Purina Pro Plan, Nutra, Brit, Advance) or Premium+ (Royal Canin, Nutra Gold, Hills, Eukanuba). These are the best balanced foods, and on a veterinarian’s recommendation, vitamin complexes are prescribed on an individual basis in this instance.

Health

Kangals are in great health, so maintaining them doesn’t require extra work on the part of the individual. The two most important things a puppy needs to grow into a strong, powerful dog are a healthy diet high in proteins and vitamins and lots of daylight "walking" time.

There have been reports of decreased immunity in Kangal puppies. Dietary supplements can be used to solve problems; a veterinarian will prescribe them following a thorough examination.

Since dogs may be anesthesia sensitive, it is best to perform test samples beforehand.

Vaccinations

Puppies of the Kangal breed, like puppies of other breeds, need to be vaccinated.

1. The first combined vaccination against plague, hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis, parainfluenza and coronavirus is carried out at 8-10 weeks. The exception is puppies that live in conditions of direct contact with other adult Kangal individuals. In this case, the first vaccine is given at 3-4 weeks. Early vaccination can only be administered by a veterinarian in cases of extreme necessity.
2. Re-vaccination is carried out at 11-13 weeks, with preliminary deworming, then vaccinations are repeated annually.

The puppy should spend two weeks in quarantine following vaccination, during which time it should not interact with any other animals. It is not advised to bathe the puppy while it is under quarantine.

Diseases

Kangals are generally healthy, but they can develop certain illnesses that are more common in large dogs:

Long, moderately strenuous walks and a well-balanced diet that includes the recommended amount of calcium for puppies under a year old can help offset problems.

Walking

1. Since the Kangal is a large and powerful dog, to avoid problems with joints, it is recommended to keep it in free walking as much as possible.
2. The time spent in the enclosure should be reduced to a minimum. Also a leash on a chain is excluded.
3. If the dog is purchased to guard a country house, it must be provided with long daily walks.
4. It is preferable to use the dog to protect livestock on a farm and keep it in an open yard or in a large pen.

Coat care

• The Kangal"s coat is short and, despite the thick undercoat, does not require special care during the year. It is enough to comb the dog with a comb 1 time per week, devoting 20 minutes to care.
• During shedding periods, the dog is combed daily, until the changing cover of the Kangal"s croup is completely removed. Moulting occurs at the junction of the climatic seasons – in spring and autumn, before the onset of heat and cold weather, respectively.
• Kangals do not require frequent bathing. But if the pet needs to be washed – once, maximum twice a year will be quite enough, and the best way is to swim in a natural reservoir, if it is available. These dogs know how and love to swim.

Mating

When the dogs are 20 months old for females and 24 months old for males, kangal mating takes place. While individual traits may also exist, it is thought that females become ready for mating during the third estrus. It is not necessary to have a special regimen or prerequisites; however, the dog must be in good health and free of illness for 14 days prior to the anticipated date of mating.

Avoid feeding dogs during mating hours, as this is the ideal time. Mating should take place on the male’s "territory" in order to guarantee his activity. You can begin mating after a brief introduction, which should take no more than fifteen minutes.

Key points in training

All things considered, the Kangal’s trainability can be rated as low. It is not possible to develop the working traits of a service dog, such as a shepherd, and the breed is not meant for guard duty. Despite this, Kangals are genetically predisposed to understand exactly what is expected of them and can pass OKD with little effort on their part.

It is not realistic to expect Kangals to follow commands like "fetch"; their purpose is entirely different: to defend. And they handle this mission flawlessly.

Attribute	Details
Breed Name	Kangal
Origin	Turkey
Size	Large
Weight	90-150 lbs (40-68 kg)
Coat	Short and dense
Color	Light tan, black mask
Temperament	Protective, loyal
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Health Issues	Generally healthy
Suitable For	Farm and family protection

With a fascinating past and a unique appearance, the Kangal is an incredibly impressive breed. These Turkish Shepherds have been defending livestock for centuries, and they are well-known for their remarkable defense skills. They are priceless to farmers and herders because of their strength and loyalty, which provide them with companionship and protection in difficult situations.

The Kangal are unique because of their strong bond with their owners in addition to their physical prowess. They are calm giants that are gentle and exhibit a special combination of independence and affection. Because of their balance, they also make wonderful family pets, growing well in homes where they are respected and receive the right training.

It is crucial for anyone thinking about becoming a Kangal to comprehend the traits and requirements of this breed. For these dogs to remain happy and healthy, they need lots of exercise and room to roam. A Kangal can be a devoted and caring member of your family and represent the grace and strength that have characterized the breed for many years with the correct upbringing.

Video on the topic

KANGAL – THE BEST PROTECTION FROM THE WOLF / KANGAL BEST GUARDS DOGS

Edith (Kangal, German Shepherd) (Order) Ozoda Mardieva

Kangal. Turkish shepherd dog. Happy life, big dog 🐕😃

TURKISH KANGAL VS. ALABAY – Who will win the fight?

Kangal – Turkish Shepherd

Kangal. Dog Planet 🌏 My Planet

2 KANGALs Against Wolves, KANGAL IN BUSINESS!