With their proud demeanour and notable history, the Turkish Kangal is a breed that intrigues people. The dogs are known for their calm temperament and often serve as loyal livestock protectors.
But what is it like to own one of these dogs? And how does their personality differ from other breeds of dogs? First, we'll look at the temperament of the Kangal, their history and if this dog is the right dog breed for you. This blog will give you some ideas and inspiration, so let's dive right in.
History of the Turkish Kangal Dog
This extraordinary breed originated in Turkey, in the Kangal province. In their native country, they're known as "Karabash", meaning "black head" in Turkish. Three standard breed colours are accepted by the British Kennel Club: Cream, dun, and fawn. Therefore, the Kangal must always have a black mask.
This dog was bred as a herder and guardian of sheep flocks. They were born to live with shepherds and livestock and scare away or kill marauding wolves and other predators. Their size is probably already doing half the job, as a male dog can stand up to 80cm at the withers. There are bigger Kangals, but they were less suitable for the job of a sheep herder.
The nomadic life made the Kangal hardy and agile as they had to live outdoors and travel great distances in hot summers and sub-zero winters. This led to an exquisite and fast breed. The Kangal has sighthound influence which contributed to their agility. Being bred to survive in rural areas and vast surroundings, they're perfectly adapted to withstand the harshest weather conditions.
Certain molosser breeds with strong guarding instincts have been chosen to perfect this dog over centuries and make the Kangals what they are today.
Turkish Kangal registrations UK 2023
The Turkish Kangal is very rare in the UK. Only rarely does a litter gets registered. Twelve registration were completed in the first two quarters of 2022, the end number going into 2023. Your only chance to encounter one of these dogs will be at Crufts. There are quite a few of Kangal mixes out there, portraying the great guarding instincts of this proud dog.
Q1 2021 | Q2 2021 | Q3 2021 | Q4 2021 | Total 2021 | Q1 2022 | Q2 2022 | Q3 2022 | Q4 2022 | Total 2022 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/3931/quarterly-breed-stats-pastoral.pdf updated March 2023
What's the difference between an Anatolian Shepherd and a Turkish Kangal Dog?
This can be a touchy subject for some and a very confusing one, as both breeds come from the same lineage. Some countries, like the AKC, don't distinguish between the two. Within Turkey, however, they're two different dogs. The Kangal comes from the Kangal province, whilst the Anatolian Shepherd can be from a broad region. The Kangal is, on average, a bit larger and heavier. The main difference is seen in their coat colours and appearance.
An Anatolian can look like a Kangal; a Kangal can't look like an Anatolian Shepherd. Various coat colours are acceptable in an Anatolian Shepherd and can be masked black or not masked. The breed standard of the Kangal is always a black mask. From a temperament point of view, they're very similar. If this still sounds a bit blurry, that's because it is.
Now that we have a good idea of the breeding history, let's look at your life with a Kangal.
What is the Temperament of a Turkish Kangal?
You can never forget when owning a Kangal that they’re a speciality breed. They have a solid defensive guarding behaviour ingrained in them. Calm and collected when trotting with the life stock but watchful and animated as soon as they spot a threat.
These dogs were the answer to a specific problem of the shepherds in the vast herding regions and were perfected over centuries. Once they spot danger, their tail will go up high; they will bark or growl and stand ready. If the foe is foolish enough not to take the warning posture seriously, they will run and can attack.
At first glance, they might not look agile. But the Kangal is big and strong without being cumbersome. Bred to being left alone with life stock for several days, these dogs know how to make decisions and sustain themselves. Kangals are no obedience dogs. If they feel you can't take decisive actions, these dogs will probably take them for you. Teaching them tricks and playing fetch might also be a waste of time.
Other dogs love pleasing their hooman friend, but Kangals are differently built. They exist to protect, not to please.
Training is complex and requires consistency, firmness, and leader pack qualities. It's a difficult dog to handle for a novice dog owner. Many owners joke that you'll be the first if you get a Kangal to recall consistently and successfully.
Kangals tend to be good with people. If you're a good pack leader, they will trust your judgement and not be unkind towards people entering your home. On the other hand, they might remain aloof and watchful but will show their people-orientated side. Polite, respectful and calm is the dog you would get in these situations. But you will never be able to take the watchdog fully out of this breed. Once they have bonded with their flock or family, they will always ensure you're protected.
The Kangal is not a status symbol dog. They're workers and should be put to work to flourish. They're not very suitable for apartment living or living in urban areas. They should have a territory or area to patrol and watch. A big garden and rural living are best suited for this breed.
Early socialisation with other dogs and many different people will determine how your Kangal responds to strangers and meets new people. They're friendly and like to be petted but will probably always keep their guard up and their eyes peeled on their family. This is one of the breeds where socialisation from a young age is crucial for success. However, a Kangal on the loose can result in a dangerous situation due to its strength and size.
Kangals shouldn't be walked off lead, especially if there is an area where you walk them regularly. After a while, they might claim the local dog park as "their" area to patrol and can become aggressive towards other dogs if they feel disrespected. Selective hearing and stubbornness are pretty common traits in Kangals. To avoid confrontation, it's better to always walk with a leashed Kangal.
Having unreserved love from your Kangal will be the greatest gift. They're affectionate and very loyal dogs who won't do half things. They don't need attention 24/7 like a Golden Retriever or Labrador. If you have life stock to protect, this dog breed is for you.
Some articles might say that Kangals are not suitable for young children. But again, this all comes down to socialisation. Kangals are sometimes known even to nurture lamb. They will excel as companion dogs and watchdogs with the proper training. But these dogs are certainly not for the faint-hearted dog lover.
Turkish Kangal temperament in a nutshell
Needs a big house and garden to roam around and patrol their area
Requires a firm pack leader
Early socialisation is an absolute must
Will protect his pack, family or livestock with their life
Affectionate, loyal, calm and watchful towards their family
Potential diseases in the Turkish Kangal breed
The Turkish Kangal is a generally healthy breed. Their lifespan can range from 12 to 15 years. Its believed that their nomadic breeding added a lot of different gene pools, making it a healthier pure breed dog.
As a new owner, you should also be prepared to pay medical expenses that come with the breed. The sheer size of this dog will make medical treatment very expensive. Therefore, you should always opt for comprehensive insurance with the Kangal.
Hereditary diseases are genetically predisposed. For this reason, it's essential always to choose a reputable breeder who has screened their dog's DNA and knows from which family they come from. In addition, good pre-work and research can help minimise any of the below upsetting conditions.
Hereditary diseases can be the following:
Hip dysplasia: Skeletal disorder that can lead to arthritis
Entropion: Inwards folding eyelid that can cause infections
Lipoma: fatty lumps or tumour growth that can impede movement, causing discomfort
Certain cancers
Many of these conditions can be treated if caught early, but working with a reliable veterinarian familiar with this breed is essential to ensure your dog receives proper care.
Most diseases are inherited in a recessive manner. It means the puppy must inherit both parents' genes to become affected. The puppy becomes a carrier if the mutation is only present in one parent. Hence, choosing a reputable breeder who has done genetic testing on their litters is crucial.
The more aware you are of these diseases, the higher the chances you can prolong your dog’s life if problems arise. Same as with your child, be aware of all required vaccinations and risks outside your home. This blog post, for example, outlines all toxic spring plants that can harm your dog.
The more you know, the better you will be prepared.
Many dog owners are unaware of the danger in pet toys and accessories that can worsen health issues, when they innocently buy cheap products from the Far East. Avoid synthetic rubber playthings like chew bones or tug o' war ropes from polyester; polyester collars could cause skin irritation and are not breathable like natural materials. Swap out those harmful materials with eco-friendly pet products from hemp here at Hooman’s Friend. Breathable, eco-friendly and sustainable!
Turkish Kangal Fun facts
We love nature here at Hooman’s Friend. For this reason, the following fun fact got us excited.
Kangals have helped in several conservation projects worldwide. But unfortunately, many farmers are using poison or shooting predatory animals. This puts biological diversity in jeopardy and can lead to unsustainable practices. Kangals are helping by scaring predators away instead of killing them, keeping the natural ecosystem in balance.
In 1994 over 500 Kangal dogs were gifted to the Cheetah conservation project in Namibia. Instead of farmers killing cheetahs, they use Kangals and Anatolian Shepherds to protect and herd their precious livestock. A study estimated that livestock losses were reduced by 91%. However, the main benefits are encouraging co-existence, safeguarding the life of viable predators, and preventing a destabilised ecosystem.
Owners voices
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The Turkish Kangal is a unique breed of dog with a temperament unlike any other. They protect their family and property and require a lot of independence and space. If you are a future owner of a Kangal, it is essential to understand their temperament and personality to ensure they are happy and healthy.
Turkish Kanga; Summary Info box
Size | Giant |
|---|---|
Dog Size | 70cm - 81cm |
Dog Weight | 48kg-60kg |
Bitch Size | 63cm-75cm |
Bitch Weight | 40kg-50kg |
Grooming | Medium |
Feeding Need | Medium |
Tendency to drool | Low |
Energy level | Medium |
Tendency to bark | High |
Tendency to dig | High |
Attention need | Low |