Kangal Çoban Köpeği aka. Anatolian Shepherd Dog - a breed description
What is the origin of Anatolian shepherd dogs?
Historians suggest that Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have accompanied people since they began herding livestock.Probably this was the case 10,000 years ago. As the name correctly suggests, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog lived in the Turkish hinterland, which is characterized by high mountains. In the impassable terrain, the dogs were responsible for herding flocks of sheep, a task they partly fulfilled on their own. Although they often did not meet their owners for weeks, they did a reliable job and did not shy away from defending their flock from wolves and bears. When they returned to their owners' farm, they guarded belongings on site. Until 2017, three varieties were grouped under the name Anatolian Shepherd Dog:
- The Akba (white-headed) has white or light brown fur, there are short-haired and long-haired representatives
- The Karaba (black head) wears a black mask.
- The Kangal comes from the noble family of the same name and is revered in Turkey.
- The Kars-dog is relatively unknown outside of Turkey
The Kangal is classified as dangerous in some German states (Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern).
Even before there was an official dog association in Turkey, the first Anatolian Shepherd Dogs reached Western Europe. Especially in England some enthusiasts started to breed the breed. In April 1980 the international dog federation FCI defined for the first time a standard, thereby it summarized different shepherd dogs from Turkey.
What are the breed characteristics of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs?
Until June 2018, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, FCI listed the Anatolian Shepherd Dog in Group 2, Section 2 under Standard No. 331. Since then, the Kangal Shepherd Dog has been listed under this designation. The new standard provides, among other things, a black mask. Characteristic is the massive and strong body. Due to the broad head and the dense fur collar, adult animals are particularly impressive. Despite its imposing size, the animal is surprisingly nimble on its feet.