Description

Originally bred to guard livestock in Turkey, the Kangal is powerfully built and heavy boned. Although they are guardian dogs, they are not as heavy as most Mastiff breeds. At a distance, a Kangal could be mistaken for a Collie due to their build and speed. They are very agile and fast, with some able to run as fast as 50km an hour!

Kangals have large, wide heads with high-set floppy ears, a black nose, and dark eyes. The neck has slightly loose skin, and the back is well muscled. They are slightly longer than they are tall, with quite long front legs, and a deep, broad chest. The low tail curls up at the end.

Origin: Turkey

Look

The Kangal has a double coat, with a harsher outer layer to repel snow and water, and a softer undercoat to provide insulation. The outer coat is very dense, which helped the Kangal to keep warm and protect it from attacking predators.

Kangals typically have a sable or pale tan coat, but brindle or a recessive black tan pattern can also occur. White markings are accepted by some breed organisations. All Kangals have a black mask, with black ears. Although Kangals traditionally have cropped ears (as they guarded flocks from wolves, their ears could easily be bitten if not cropped), this practise is considered inhumane and is illegal in many areas.

Health

While the Kangal is generally a healthy dog, they are prone to a few health conditions:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Entropion
• Lipoma

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

This breed is intelligent and calm. In their homeland, they would learn by watching older dogs, and gradually learn the skills they would need as a guardian animal. The Kangal can be strong-willed and even stubborn, and is not recommended to inexperienced owners because of this. They can become easily bored during training, so it’s worth breaking up the training session into short sessions spread throughout the day.

Kangals can be somewhat rebellious as they grow into adulthood, and it’s important to be firm, fair, and consistent in your training. You should inspire confidence in your Kangal; if they feel that you are nervous, uncertain, or overly lenient, they may try to take charge.

Temperament

Although aloof with strangers and despite its heritage as a guardian dog, the well-socialised Kangal is not aggressive. They have a calm and independent nature, and are friendly with their family and visitors alike. The Kangal is a sensitive dog, and if they feel that the situation is threatening, they will act accordingly to defend their family. This makes them excellent guard dogs, though proper training and socialisation is a must.

Living with

The Kangal was bred to be able to drive away wolves and other large predators, but in spite of this fearsome reputation, they make great pets for experienced dog owners. Inexperienced owners may struggle with the Kangal’s stubborn nature, though a professional trainer should be able to help you. Experienced owners will find themselves with a calm and smart dog that is highly loyal and friendly. With proper socialisation, your Kangal will learn not to be suspicious of strangers (though as a rule, they tend to distrust strange dogs).