Kangal Shepherd Dog

Representatives of the breed have good protective qualities; they will not allow anyone to approach their territory. Distrustful and wary of strangers. However, in the family, they are real favorites who want a lot of affection and love. Kangal Shepherd Dogs are especially good with children, so you can leave the dog as a babysitter without any problems and not worry about anything.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Kangal Shepherd Dog (Anatolian Sheepdog) is one of the oldest dog breeds in all of Asia. It is believed that the dog has been known since Babylonian times. The images on Anatolian bas-reliefs confirm the ancient origin of the dog.

It is believed that the ancient Anatolians used the dog when hunting wild animals because the Kangal Shepherd Dog could even defeat lions. One of the versions is that the ancient relatives of the dog are Asian wolves.

The Kangal Shepherd Dog was not used for herding herds; it only protected livestock from wild animals. The British Museum now preserves many historical bas-reliefs depicting the Kangal Shepherd Dog.

In modern Turkey, dogs are used as guard dogs, and there they have many different names. In other countries, the breed is not as popular.

Appearance

The Kangal Shepherd Dog has a slender body and is robust, fast, and muscular. The dog has a strong neck, broad chest, and tall stature. The Kangal Shepherd Dog is on the list of the world’s largest dog breeds.

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in dogs: the height of the male can be from 74 to 81 cm, the height of bitches is 71-79 cm. The weight of males can reach 65 kg, the maximum weight of females is 55 kg.

The Kangal Shepherd Dog has a broad head, a strong jaw, and slightly saggy lips. The coat is solid, covers the whole body closely, and is short. The coat color is black, tiger, white and can consist of three colors simultaneously.

Character

Representatives of the breed have good protective qualities; they will not allow anyone to approach their territory. Distrustful and wary of strangers. However, in the family, they are real favorites who want a lot of affection and love.

Kangal Shepherd Dogs are especially good with children, so you can leave the dog as a babysitter without any problems and not worry about anything. The Anatolian Shepherd is brilliant and observant and loves to be treated as a full family member.

They are entirely accustomed to other animals because the protective leadership qualities will contribute to the fact that the Kangal Shepherd Dog will protect the territory and everyone who lives on it.

The Kangal Shepherd Dog swims well, runs fast for long distances, and likes to be active. Laziness and constant rest can harm a dog’s mood and character.

Care

Kangal Shepherd Dogs are not suitable for apartment living. It is also not recommended that the dog lives in an aviary or on a leash. The best option would be a free area near the house with a separate place to sleep and eat. Several times a month, you can take your pet out into the woods for nature.

The coat does not need to be brushed often; a few times a week is enough. If shedding, then every other day. It would help if you bathed twice a year or as dirty as possible.

Since the Kangal Shepherd Dog is very active and energetic, you should provide him with regular exercise. Also, make sure that the dog has its toys.

Brush your teeth once a week and trim your claws once a month. Systematically check the cleanliness of the ears.

Training

The Kangal Shepherd Dog needs to understand from an early age who is the boss in the house. Early socialization is equally essential to prevent uncontrolled aggression.

It is crucial to train the dog to obedience from an early age, to do active exercises, games, running. Kangal Shepherd Dog is brilliant, and it will never perform commands that it thinks are meaningless. It is important from childhood to teach the dog to bark much and loudly at strangers because it is inherent.

Common Diseases

Health in Kangal Shepherd Dogs is vital, but you should not forget about timely vaccinations, treat the coat regularly against fleas and ticks. And then the dog can live a long life. The only hereditary disease that can develop is hip dysplasia.

Nutrition

The dog is not fussy about food and is willing to eat whatever you give him. The leading food should be meat, which should be more in the portion than other dishes. An adult dog should be fed twice a day.