The Kangal Dog is an ancient Turkish breed and thought to be related to the early mastiff type dogs depicted in Assyrian art. Many Turks consider the Kangal Dog as their national dog and it has even been featured on Turkish postage stamps and coins.

The Kangal Dog is first and foremost a livestock guardian dog.  They are alert and very territorial and will protect, with it's life, the human or domestic animal family to which it has been bonded to.  The Kangal Dog prefers to intimidate the predator, but will take a physical stand and attack if necessary. They are wary of strangers, but once introduced they are happy to be affectionate.  They are extremly loyal to their family whether it be human or animal. 

The Kangal Dogs are relatively inactive and prefer to sit and watch, but don't let them fool you, they are always on guard and spring into action when you least expect it.  They need room to move and good fencing as they do not recognize property boundaries and they will roam further and further, the further they roam the more area they will claim as their own and will protect.

The family pet in a small back yard will need regular exercise but not huge amounts, a 15-20 minute walk a day and a play session is normally enough.  The working dog living on acreage will normally exercise themselves by patroling the boundary line.

The Kangal Dog must be well socialized!!!  We recommened puppy preschool and on going obedience and training.  Don't forget they are a guardian breed and will protect you and need to know that not every dog or person are a threat to you.

The Kangal Dogs have a double coat and shed twice a year (it just happens that it runs into each other making it vitually all year round).  They shed a huge amount of hair in the summer and only small amounts in the winter and can sometimes end up with bald patches. This is normal, so their new coat can come through and be thicker and better for the colder winter months.  They need to be brushed at least twice a week during their molt to get rid of the dead hair and help the new coat come through. So if you don't like dog hair, this breed is not for you :)

As you will see from photo's on our web site, the Kangal Dogs are a large and powerful dog with a black mask and black pendant ears and a big curly tail.  Their coat colour can range from dun to steel gray, but most common is the dun colour.  The bitches can weigh from 50 to 70 kg fully grown and the males from 50 to 80 kg fully grown. However, they should not be over weight.  They can reach heights (at the shoulder) of 28 to 31 inches for the bitch and 30 to 32 inches for the males.

The Kangal's are a very special breed of dog, and it takes a loving and patient person to live with one.

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