Kangal Dog

The Kangal Dog is the national dog breed of Turkey. This large dog (which can often grow as large as 140 pounds (64 kg)) was originally used as a Livestock guardian dog, but has been increasing in popularity as a guard dog. more...

It is of an early mastiff type with a solid tan or grey coat, and should always have a black mask on its face; indeed, another name for the breed is Karabash or black head.

The breed is often referred to as a sheep dog, but it does not herd its charges. Instead, it is designed to live with the flock and act as a livestock guardian dog. This trait has given it growing popularity as a guardian for families as well, as it watches members of its flock with extreme devotion.

The Kangal was combined with the Akbash to create the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

Appearance

The Kangal Dog is a large, heavily boned dog with long legs and a mastiff-like appearance. The head is large and moderately wide, with drop ears that may or may not be cropped, set on a strong, slightly arched neck. The body should be muscular, not fat, with strong forelegs, a deep chest, and a sickle or curled tail carried high. The overall appearance should be of proportions slightly longer in body than in legs.

Because the working characteristics of the breed are paramount, the UKC standard also notes that field scars from working, such as may be gained from briars or predators, are not to be penalized.

Males should weigh 110-145 lbs, with a height of 30-32 inches at the withers, while females should weigh 90-120 lbs, with a height of 28-30 inches.

Colour and Coat

The colour and coat are perhaps the most obviously distictive aspects that separate the Kangal from the similar Akbash and Anatolian. The coat must be short and dense, not long or feathery, and of a fawn, dun, or grey appearance with a black facial mask and ears. White at certain points (chest, chin, toes) may or may not be allowed, depending on the standard. Some dark Kangal also have black paws and a dark chest. Most importantly, the coat should not be broken or spotted.

Split-Lump Controversy

The Kangal dog's validity as a separate breed is a matter of controversy, especially between Anatolian Shepherd Dog breeders and Kangal dog breeders. Kangal dog breeders feel that the standard they have laid out for the breed most truly reflects the working dogs of the Kangal region, and that the Anatolian is merely a Çoban Köpegi or generic sheepdog of uncertain breeding. They also point to the large increase of fawn Karabash dogs as a tacit admission by Anatolian breeders of the correctness of the Kangal position of being the original type.

Anatolian breeders state that the variation in colours in the Anatolian reflect the true diversity of the Turkish sheepdog, and that Kangal breeders ignore examples of spotted or brindle Kangals in the field, claiming they're not actually Kangals. Some Anatolian breeders accuse Kangal breeders of actively culling unsuitable coloured dogs that come from purebred Kangals.

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