Sivas Kangal, Turkish Kangal
The Kangal Dog is a large, powerful, heavy-boned dog, whose size and proportions have developed naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against predators. The head is large and moderately wide with drop ears. A properly proportioned Kangal Dog is slightly longer (measured from prosternum to point of buttocks) than tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should equal slightly more than one-half of the dog’s height. The tail, which is typically curled, completes the distinctive silhouette. The Kangal Dog has a double coat that is moderately short and quite dense. The Kangal Dog has a black mask and black velvety ears that contrast with a whole body color which may range from light dun to gray. Honorable scars or other evidences of injury resulting from working in the field are not to be penalized.
The Kangal dog is calm, controlled, independent, powerful and protective. They may be aloof towards strangers, but a well-socialized Kangal Dog is friendly with visitors and especially children. They must never be shy or vicious. A well-trained Kangal is sensitive and alert to changing situations, responding to threats with judicious warnings and courageous action if necessary. They make good guardians of livestock and humans alike, but they may not be suitable for inexperienced dog owners, as the independent intelligence of the Kangal makes for a difficult pupil.
|Height||Male: 30-32 inches (77-86 cm)Female: 28-30 inches (72-77 cm)|
|Weight||Male: 110-145 pounds (50-66 kg)Female: 90-120 pounds (41-54 kg)|
|Colors||Black Cream Gray|
|Good In Apartments||
The Kangal Dog is not recommended for apartment life. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. The Kangal Dog is naturally protective, but is more "people oriented" than most other livestock guardian breeds. A well-socialized Kangal Dog is not generally aggressive to people, and especially loves children—but the breed does not recognize property boundaries. It will wander, attack stray dogs, and may be aggressive to human intruders, especially at night. Good fencing is therefore essential.
|Good With Children||
Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them.
|Good With Dogs||
|Good With Cats||
This breed needs exercise and mental stimulation. Working dogs with acreage will exercise themselves by patrolling the property and protecting their livestock. Family dogs need daily walks, jogs or runs and socialization off-property, because if there is no work to do they will not get adequate mental and physical exercise and may become hard to handle.
Moderate Maintenance: Regular grooming is required to keep its fur in good shape.
The coat needs thorough brushing-out during the twice a year shedding season. You can get away with little attention the rest of the year. The Kangal Dog is a seasonal, heavy shedder.