The Kangal Dog

The Kangal Dog is an ancient breed of Livestock Guardian Dog from Turkey. It shares a close relationship to several other breeds (some people even argue it is the same breed as the Anatolian Shepherd) however in Turkey, the Kangal is the “original” breed and Anatolians are merely a Kangal cross. The FCI no longer recognizes the Anatolian, (nor the Akbash – another breed often lumped together with the Kangal) however the UKC in the United States recognizes all three as separate and distinct breeds. This is a powerful molosser-type dog that is able to guard flocks from wolves, bear and jackal.

Kangals are as noble in temperament as they are awe-inspiring in appearance. They are often more affectionate to their owners than other Livestock Guardians, gentle with household children and other pets, and make great companions in the right home – however are not for every owner. For example, this powerful giant needs someone who can physically handle him! Training will help him be more manageable, but up until he is trained he may be too much dog for a frail individual. Furthermore his size means he needs a home where he can stretch out and not be cramped, and lots of food to nourish his giant frame. Add to this the fact that he can be stubborn and overly energetic during the puppy years and one can see that he is simply too much dog for many people!

Kangal Dogs need lots and lots of socialization starting from puppyhood. This is the best way to ensure a well-tempered dog provided he has come from a good breeder. Training is another important factor, as it will give the owner control and establish an important working bond between owner and dog. This said, know that obedience training in particular is more difficult with this breed. This independent soul is prone to ignoring commands and getting bored quite quickly. He needs an owner/trainer that won’t give up easily, and is ready to enforce all commands with an authoritative demeanor. After all, this intelligent breed is capable of learning quickly but will often not respond to someone whom he doesn’t respect. Although rules should be firm, training should remain fair as he will shut down with overly harsh corrections.

The Kangal Dog needs a job to do and can be destructive without one. Because of his size, he can do a lot of damage in only a little bit of time! His original purpose was to watch over livestock with a human shepherd and take care of any threats that came onto the property. This is an excellent job for those who have livestock, but those who don’t may find him behaving too aggressively towards perceived “threats” that come near the backyard. Many will chase off or even kill animals that enter a property, whether wildlife or even strange dogs. The breed may also be overly-protective towards his owners in certain situations. He must be contained within a very secure fence when outside and supervised when people come over. The fence must be at least 6 feet tall at a minimum and also escape-proofed.

What else makes it difficult to own a Kangal? Kangals are not quiet dogs and are known for “roaring” loudly at night and/or when they perceive an intruder. It comes as no surprise that they don’t make a great match for people in close-quarters to their neighbors! They also shed very profusely twice a year, dig huge holes in the yard and are destructive chewers when young. Finally, although one may originally think this is a great choice as a personal protection dog… this is actually not the case. The breed is gentle and friendly most of the time, but will make his own decisions on whether or not somebody constitutes a threat. Yes – he is naturally more territorial than many other breeds, and he will also serve as a great watchdog however he is not suited to protection training.

Kangals do need regular exercise but not an unreasonable amount. The amount needed depends on the living situation in which they are in. In Turkey, Kangals spend lots of time outdoor in large open areas, and will roam along with the livestock. Here, the smaller the yard the more supplemental exercise they will need – they are athletic and moderately active compared to some of the giant breeds. A Kangal kept in a large fenced property, on the other hand, might not need very much at all if he spends hours running the fenceline. One of the most important things to be aware of is to never over-exercise a growing puppy as doing so can damage the joints.