The Turkish Kangal Shepherd Dogs in Turkey in accordance with colour varieties

 
Colour is an important characteristic of the Kangal (Karabash) Dog. In Turkey, non-standard colours or patterns are indicators that the dog is not a purebred Kangal (Karabash) Dog. Following are the true colours of Kangal (Karabash) Dogs.

Dun or Fawn (‘Boz’ in Turkish): This is the main and dominant colour and. The true Kangal (Karabash) Dog colour is always solid dun or pale. The Kangal (Karabash) Dogs with dun colour coat native to the Central Anatolia where Akkaraman Sheep breeding is extensive. Today it can be seen in various countries of the world.

Grizzle (‘Kırçıl’ in Turkish): This is another colour namely grey or partly grey spread over outer guard hairs or it can be seen partly on an outer coat. The Kangal (Karabash) with grizzle colour native mostly to the villages and region of Akdagmadeni-Yozgat, Şarkışla-Sivas and Hekimhan-Malatya line.

Ashy (‘Yağız’ in Turkish): This is another colour, a variety of Yağız, which is iron grey and ashy. Different from Kırçıl appearance, the white spots on the feet are extended half way up the forequarters, and the white blaze on the chest is outlined with ashy hair. Head is generally homogenous ashy colour darker than Kırçıl.

Brindle (‘Dalkır’ in Turkish): This is a true colour of ashy dun having 10 to 20 brindle trims in iron grey or iron dun of 1 to 3 cm in width from up to down of the outer coat same as those on the tiger coat. This coat is locally called as ‘Çizgili Sırtlan Postu’ and ‘Kaplan Postu’, which means the ‘Brindled Hyena Coat’ and the ‘Tiger Coat’ in English. The Kangal Dogs with Dalkır colour are native to the Damal and Hanak Districts of Ardahan, and rarely in other regions.

Yellow Colour of Erzurum (‘Erzurum Sarısı’ in Turkish): Yellow Colour of Erzurum so called locally is a reddish, dull gold or dark yellow true colour. The Kangal (Karabash) Dogs with these colours are extensively native to Erzurum and its vicinity. These Kangals have very beautiful and noble appearance.