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e had already heard a lot about the Turkish Shepherds, especially the Kangal which is regarded as the Turkish national breed. Years ago some specimens had been already imported in the USA to support the farmers in hunting and deterrence of the coyotes. In Namibia too, the farmers used them to keep away the wild cats from the herds. When we did our investigations for our book, we were looking for one to two good photos and were surprised which noble and powerful animals came out, that we hadn’t expected.

Kangal Yagiz, owner: Lutfullah Ayan, Ankara

Some regard the Kangal as a color variety of the Anatolian Shepherd in the west, however it’s a fact that the Kangal would be much older than most of the popular breeds in the Turkey. His name derives the Kangal from Kangala, a town in the province Sivas. Traditionally the best bloodlines are coming from the region Uzun Yayla. The popularity of the Kangal has increased in some European countries during the last years. However, with it dubious bloodlines and crosses with other breeds appeared too. Of course, you’ll find excellent representatives of pure Kangals also outside their native country, above all in Western Europe, where they are very appreciated because of their impressive size, their balanced temperament and their beautiful appearing.

Some believe that the Kangal like most of the Turkish and Middle Asian dogs originates from the old Armenian Gampr, whereas others would connect him with the old Indian, Assyrian, Persian and Sumerian dogs. Most likely the ancestors of the Kangal had been brought to Anatolia by nomadic, Turkmen tribes, through which a connection to the legendary Alabai would arise.

Emperor Boz, Boz Kennels, Istanbul

The breeder describes his male Emperor Boz as a game dog having never lost. On the following picture a fox might have been killed and put on a plug for picturing. Note power and strength expressed by the dog.

Yagmur (sister of Yagiz), owner Mehmet Yalcin, Ankara

Yagiz in action

Among the Turkish breeds, the Kangal is least of all aggressive and easy to train; he is an excellent family pet. He doesn’t get along well with other dogs. He is very territorial and protective to his family.

Herkul Boz, Boz Kennel, Istanbul

The Kangal is of a very large size and massive, with a strong neck, big head and a muscular body. The coat is dense, rough and short, preferred colors are reddish, beige and pale, always with a black mask. The average height is about 32 inches.

The Kangal runs very fast and elastic, he is an excellent wolf killer and a wonderful guard dog. In his native country he is often seen with cropped ears and his very big teeth distinguishes him from other dogs in the region, therefore the Kangal would be first choice of many Turkish shepherds for guarding their herds.

The wolves are only hunted by the Kangals, when they come too close to the herds, the houses or the owners; otherwise both parties go their own way. The Kangal isn’t an aggressive dog; he only would defend his property.

Even though he would see several wolves, he doesn’t run away, so that it often would end with his own dead. Therefore the Turkish owners are very proud of their Kangals, who are able to kill wolves. Only the best lines are strong and intelligent enough to be a match for wolves. Sometimes the dogs would chase the wolves after an attack in the mountains to kill them. They have an extreme hunting drive, but the shepherds prefer lines, which don’t leave the herds alone in the “ardor of action”, but would return to the herds after having chased away the wolves.

Following pictures we’ve got at our disposal by Ender Odaci. The pictured Kangals derives from the so called “Panterline”. This line has been bred by the family Cicek in Kangal/ Kargakale. It is one of the best and it is most important that the family has kept the line pure for decades, and even centuries.

Panter & Seytan with their owner Savas Cicek, Turkey

Old Panter with wolf - Panter is already dead, he was a true Kangal-King

Breeder: S. Cicek, owner: Onur Kanli, Turkey

Ashil, a son of Panter, looking for wolves

Kurdish Sighthound

The Kangal is also called Anatolian Mastiff, being especially visible with the yellow specimens with black mask. In fact, there exist some strains which not only distinguish in their external look from the usual herding dog, but also have an extreme hunting drive. They not only would protect and guard the herd and the home, but will try to make sight of the enemy (wolf, bear) from distance. Mostly they wouldn’t only confine to defend the herd when attacked, but would go to chase actively the predator. That’s often to the regret of the shepherds, as many are lost. It’s obvious that beside the mastiff-like shepherd dog, a sighthound might have played a significant role. In fact, always again the Kurdish Sighthound is mentioned. He is described as a courageous dog, which shall have influenced the Borzoi too. Unfortunately, there can’t be found any useful photos, except the one shown below. He is said to have a yellow or dirty white color, and to have been an excellent wolf hunter. Looking at this picture of the Kurdish Sighthound, a certain similarity of the shown Kangals of the Panterline could be noticed. This could be also an explanation for the Kangal’s kind of sight hunting and his fierce chase of the wolf.

In contrast to other herding dogs of his category, in spite of his enormous weight the Kangal looks higher and more extended, with a somewhat narrower chest, in all more sinewy and dryer. Real strong teeth and extreme muscles on the neck round the whole.