Anatolian shepherd dog

The Anatolian shepherd, or Turkish Kangal, is a recognized dog breed from Turkey. The FCI has grouped various Turkish dogs under the term Anatolian shepherd dog. These are: the Akbas, the Kangal, the Karabas and the Kars dog.

The UKC recognizes both the Akbas and the Kangal as separate breeds, distinct from the Anatolian Shepherd dog. In Turkey, the Akbas, the Kars and the Kangal dogs may each be regarded as separate breeds, but a Kangal dog breed does not exist in the breed list of FAO. In Turkey, Akbas, Kars, and Kangal dogs are among the shepherd dogs (Kangal kopekleri), without being described by the term “breed.”

The Anatolian shepherd dog was probably bred from Mastiff hunting dogs from Mesopotamia. They also were likely crossed with greyhounds. Another theory is that the breed probably originally emigrated with Turkish nomads from Central Asia.

Therefore, the relationship with the Hungarian kuvasz dog breed is not excluded, as there is evidence of the fact they emigrated with the original Magyars also from Central Asia. The Anatolian shepherd dog is also very similar to the pariah; it is probably also closely related to this old Asian group.

The breed has adapted over time to its environment. The main factors here were the climate, the lifestyle of the population, and the dog’s assigned work.

Description

The FCI brings together under the name of Anatolian Shepherd dog, four types of these shepherds dogs. They share a short, brilliant, fitting outer coat and a fur collar, especially the males. All colors are allowed, though the preferred color is dun with a black mask, black ears and coal strokes off the black face mask.

With a high instep, shoulder up to 85 cm, and weighing 44 to 64 kg, it is a fortified, imposing dog. Dogs of this breed can sometimes be considerably larger: those 90 cm high and up to 80 kg in weight have occurred.

According to FCI breed standard, this dog comes with a powerful, sustained and large framed. He has a powerful figure, is a herding dog with a broad, strong head and dense double coat. The body is powerful, well muscled but not fat. It should be large and persistent. In addition, this breed is able to move at great speeds for a long time.

Their movements are remarkably uniform and harmonious with a firm, straight topline, well carried on the neck and head, which gives the impression of a hunter on the prowl.
The coat is short or medium length, dense with a thick undercoat. Due to climatic conditions, large differences in fur length are possible. On the neck and shoulder, the fur is slightly longer and thicker. The coat tends to have a greater length in winter than in summer.

Care

The Kangal dog is balanced, courageous, suspicious of strangers and very vigilant. He is usually quiet, but is still quick and agile. In the darkness, his vigilance is increased. He shows himself to the unknown as rather distant and reserved, and is therefore very committed to his family.

As a livestock guardian dog, he usually operates very independently, has developed a certain type of stubbornness, and is often dominant. Because of these properties, it is more important to educate him early and consistently, primarily because if education is begun late the obstinacy and the dominance of this race will predominate. The dogs exhibit territorial behavior with a claim to individual distance.

The Kangal dog is a livestock guardian dog, a dog that independently defends the herds against predators like the wolf. It is also used as a watch and guard dog. Originally this breed was used mainly for herding sheep. The breed guards cattle over the great distances on the Anatolian Plateau, where the dogs independently live outdoors in any weather.