Turkish Kangal (Karabash) Shepherd Dog

The original extent of the Kangal (kahn gall) Dog was the region of Central Anatolia where the herding of the Akkaraman breed of sheep was widespread. Outside these three areas, it was natural to come across rare examples of the purebred Kangal (Karabash) Dog in variable numbers in Erzincan, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Nevşehir, Niğde, Ankara, Kırıkkale, Konya, Karaman, and Aksaray, extending from the east to the middle of the Anatolian plateau. Today it can be found throughout Turkey.

This spectacular Turkish breed is characterized by a lioness-like body shape , black-rimmed eyes and black muzzle, ears close set to the skull, and the tail hanging low with a slightly upward and forward curl. The colour of the dense, short coat varies through intermediate tones from fawn and cream to tawny but never snow white. Courage, faithfulness and sensitiveness are its foremost characteristics.
 

The Kangal (Karabash) Dog is a fearless and capable protector of its own flock and of human life. It is gentle with children, the livestock in its flock, household pets and with people in general. It can withstand extremes in a cold harsh climate. For such a large upstanding breed. it is long-lived. It is friendly to human beings; but it establishes a special bond with its flock and protects it. Although it can be controlled by training, it is a formidable fighter against large dogs and other predators.