Kangal is a symbol of strength, courage and pride. It is an elegant dog with an impressive appearance and a calm, balanced disposition. He is a keen observer, a faithful defender and a caring and tender friend.
The Kangal is an old breed of dog that probably descends from nomadic shepherd dogs. Research indicates that giant Molossus dogs lived in what is now Turkey several thousand years ago. They came here from Mesopotamia along with wandering tribes that used the mastiff for hunting and to help soldiers during wars.
The kangal is a type of mountain dog that, despite its large size, is very agile and fast. The name of this breed comes from the city of Kangal (in the Turkish province of Sivas), known for breeding these dogs. It was once used to protect and guard goats and sheep against predators. Thanks to its enormous size and strength, this dog was able to defend its herd against wolves and bears. Because the area where the kangal was most common was vast and isolated, the breed was kept pure. Its representatives were extremely uniform in appearance and behavior, and it was due to conscientious breeding that the breed gained international recognition.
Here are the suggested sizes for adult dogs of this breed. They were selected on the basis of many years of experience in sewing accessories and the most common choices of other dog owners of this breed. Remember, only measuring will give you 100% certainty - every dog is different.
On the European continent, kangal spread only in the 60s. Initially it went to Great Britain, then to France, Germany and the Netherlands. It has also gained great popularity in the USA, certainly due to its friendly nature and the strong bond between it and its owner. It is now bred all over the world, although there are differences between populations in Turkey and elsewhere. The kangal's natural defense and protection instincts are still used today. It has been a popular service dog since the 70s, used, among others, by the Turkish army and police.
The kangal, deeply rooted in Turkish culture, is widely considered to be the national dog. His image can be found on Turkish postage stamps and coins. The breed was officially recognized by the FCI only in 1989. Registered as an Anatolian (Turkish) Shepherd, it belongs to group II, section 2.2 (standard no. 331). Representatives of this breed can also be found under other names: Karabash, Turkish Kangal Dog, or Kangal Shepherd Dog.
The Kangal, like other Molossus dogs, has a large, strong and upright body with a rectangular frame. Its silhouette exudes strength and elegance at the same time. The large, elongated, wide head is equipped with powerful jaws and a black nose. The eyes, almond-shaped with black rims, can range from light brown to dark brown. The triangular ears have rounded tips and hang freely from the sides of the head. The long tail, tightly curled at the end, is carried over the back when excited. The dog's excellent musculature makes it extremely agile and able to run quickly.
The kangal has short, thick, double fur. Its coat is never fluffy, long or wavy. The fur becomes thicker in winter and excess hair is shed in spring and summer. Its outer coat is rough to the touch and its undercoat is very soft (usually gray in color). Longer hair around the pants, shoulders and neck allows it to survive in unfavorable weather conditions, especially during frosts or heat.
The color of the kangal can be: fawn, sable, light gold, brown or gray (pigeon or steel shade). This Turkish dog is never spotted, brindled or completely white. It has a peculiar black mask that completely covers its muzzle, but may also extend to the top of its head. His ears and nose are also black. Only the feet, chest and chin of the kangal are white.
An adult dog weighs 50-65 kg, a female dog is about 10 kg lighter. The male Kangal breed reaches a height at the withers of 72 - 78 cm, and the female is on average 5 cm shorter.
The Turkish Kangal Dog is a typical watchman, alert, courageous, active, eager to work. He has an extremely developed territorial instinct. He cares for his family and home. He is very attached to his household members, and he usually treats strangers with reserve. He is very caring towards children. Early socialization and training of your kangal dog is important to ensure it is properly adapted to living with the family.
This dog loves freedom and space. He is not an advocate of living in a block of flats. A house with a garden and a kennel are ideal conditions for this shepherd dog. Constant contact with the caregiver and other household members is very important to him. Kangal doesn't like boredom and loneliness. He is fragile by nature, but his defensive instinct is immediately triggered when he is in danger.
The owner should ensure a safe fence for his Turkish pet. Kangal is simply prone to escape and will take advantage of any opportunity it presents to explore the area. It may then show aggression towards other animals or strangers.
As an original breed, the kangal is resistant to both heat and frost. It usually enjoys excellent health and is long-lived considering its large size. On the other hand, its size increases the risk of joint and bone diseases, e.g. hip dysplasia. This degenerative joint disease is associated with severe pain and limited movement. However, you can optimally prevent the disease and alleviate its symptoms by providing your dog with a healthy diet enriched with appropriate supplements, adapting the type of activity to the dog's capabilities and introducing conservative treatment. In addition, kangal has a predisposition to gastric torsion. For this reason, it should be given a sufficiently long rest after eating.
In the case of a kangal that is still very young, it is recommended to feed only puppy food. The food must provide the necessary amount of energy, and the fat and protein content should be adapted to the pet's growth stages. Generally, it is beneficial to feed both dry and wet food. Their composition is composed in such a way as to contain as many valuable ingredients as possible in relatively small quantities.
The diet of an adult kangal should consist mainly of protein (meat), the remainder of carbohydrates (pasta, rice, groats, oatmeal) and vegetables with a small amount of fruit. Cereals and sugar additives should be avoided. The type and amount of supplements given with a meal (e.g. joint support) should be consulted with a veterinarian. Moreover, at every stage of the dog's life
the guardian must be careful about its weight, because the kangal is predisposed to being overweight. Too much weight has a negative impact on the skeletal system of your four-legged friend, primarily causing joint problems.
The kangal has short and thick fur that is generally easy to maintain. His fur does not need to be brushed often, usually only a few times a year is enough (in the case of a dog living outdoors). However, if your pet lives at home, it must be groomed much more often to prevent loose hair from accumulating on the floor and furniture. During periods of seasonal shedding, it should be brushed daily, using a medium-sized brush and a metal comb. You can also use a deshedder to quickly remove loose undercoat.
Dirty kangal fur can usually be cleaned with a wet cloth. Bathing should only take place on hot summer days when your four-legged friend needs to cool down. In summer, you should also check the fur for the presence of ticks. Grooming treatments should include taking care of the claws, which must be trimmed regularly (every 2 weeks). It is worth asking your vet to show you how to shorten the claws using special clippers.
Kangal is an active dog. During training, it requires daily exercise and challenges both physical and mental. As a guard dog by nature, he has the opportunity to do enough physical exercise while patrolling his area. However, mental exercise will require the owner to organize games, obedience lessons, and socialization scenarios. Combining mental training with physical activity is a great way to release your dog's energy.
A kangal dog is reluctant to follow commands if it doesn't see the point. But much can be achieved with him by applying positive motivation - by approaching with a request rather than a threat. Nerves and anger make the animal close in on itself. This dog loves peace and quiet and should be allowed to perform the duties of a guardian on its own, as prompted by its instincts. When the kangal is friendly trained, engaged in various tasks, it will have time to run and play, it will become a loyal and obedient companion.
It is not recommended to train a kangala for defense, as such training can make him aggressive.
Kangal is one of the most famous guard dog breeds. He is both a loyal, loving companion and a persistent protector. Its gentle and affectionate disposition also makes it suitable for the role of a family dog. Although the common image of a Kangal has nothing to do with cuddling on the sofa and a Sunday walk, lovers of this breed unanimously emphasize that by winning the heart of a Kangal, you gain a caring, faithful and trustworthy friend for life.
A kangal develops a very close bond with its owner, but ultimately it always decides whether it can and wants to show its owner the necessary respect. The dog needs a mentor with extensive experience. Requires very clear, consistent, confident leadership with a friendly, calm attitude. Because the kangal is proud and self-confident, the owner must show patience and perseverance during training. You should also remember that a representative of this breed is extremely active and needs a lot of exercise every day. He is always full of energy, which makes him the perfect companion for active people. It is important to provide him with enough physical activity and adequate space to run and play. Because the Kangal is proud and self-confident, its owner must demonstrate self-control, determination and consistency from the very beginning.
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