I am Áron Takács, the owner of the „Pilisi Török Pásztorkutya” kennel. I have had shepherd dogs for fourteen years. At first, I had Central Asian shepherd dogs, then years later I switched to keeping and breeding Anatolian Shepherd Dogs.
More than 5 years ago, through a Turkish friend, I managed to acquire two original karabas (black-headed) Turkish shepherd dogs from Sivas. After being amazed by the temperament and nature of the males, I also brought a female dog alongside them for breeding purposes.
Thus, from the matings, we registered a litter each with the help of the Karakán Club.
Since then, I have been closely following the reproduction and breeding of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs established in Hungary and neighboring countries, as well as their participation in work.
After my trip to Turkey and a few years of keeping the breed, my opinion and experience regarding the breed are as follows:
The kangal is undoubtedly a shepherd dog which has successfully preserved all the traits of a true shepherd dog thanks to its homeland to this day.
Perhaps on a worldwide scale, the breed is in the rare position, even though shepherding has dramatically declined in Turkey and Anatolia, that many specimens with intact ancient genetics can be found. It is due to this exceptional trait and attribute that the kangal has few rivals in the field of shepherding.
Of course, in our country and the neighboring countries, except for the Transylvanian region, not many use it according to its function, but as the world changes, the breed adapts to the requirements expected of it.
I primarily use them for guarding territory, residential houses, premises, and domestic animals (horses, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens). Secondly, as sport dogs, they also excel as hunting dogs (in drives).
The versatility lies in the kangal’s characteristics. It is very temperamental, highly active, yet does not waste energy unnecessarily, makes decisions independently, and is very attached to its owner and the owner's family. The entrusted territory and domestic animals are sacred and inviolable to it. It is very resistant to weather conditions. It tolerates both cold and heat very well. It is very dominant towards conspecifics, which is why I do not recommend keeping or confining them in small areas under any circumstances.
It does not bark unnecessarily, thus it does not disturb neighbors at all. If it senses danger, it rages, sometimes howls, but as soon as the danger passes, it calms down within moments. Its nervous system is very stable; it is not skittish, it does not really know fear, perhaps I have only noticed some healthy reservations towards the owner.
Of course, I am biased towards the breed; nevertheless, I do not recommend keeping it to just anyone. Both in appearance and behavior, it embodies all the good qualities of the perfect dog, but it is not a servile individual; it is much more than that – A TRUE SHEPHERD DOG.
Description of the breed
Origin: Republic of Turkey
Patronage: Turkey
Utilization: Guard and shepherd dog
F.C.I. Classification:
II. Breed Group – Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molossian breeds – Swedish mountain and herding dogs. Section 2.2 – Molossian breeds, mountain type, without work test.
Brief history of the breed:
According to the most accurate theory concerning non-European shepherd dogs, the Turkish shepherd dog, the Kangal, most likely descends from ancient livestock guardian dogs which migrated with nomadic tribes practicing primitive herding from Central Asia to Anatolia between 10,000 BCE and 1300 AD.
It is believed that the current form of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog breeds, including the Kangal shepherd dog, can be traced back to the founding of the Ottoman Empire in the early 12th century. Since then, the Kangal shepherd dog has bravely protected the flocks against any wild predators in its homeland of Sivas and the eastern Anatolian region, which is characterized by harsh geographical and weather conditions.
Today, throughout Turkey, wherever traditional sheep herding is still practiced, the Kangal shepherd dog exhibits the same traits represented by its ancestors.
General appearance and characteristics:
The Kangal is a molossian-type dog. Its build is robust, even coarse at times. Solid body, covered with thick hair. The body is rectangular in shape.
Height: Height at the withers is 65-78 cm with a tolerance of +/- 2 cm.
Important proportions: The head length is 39-40% of the height at the withers. Skull length is 56-60% of the head length. The side profiles of the skull and muzzle are different. Body length is 10-12% greater than the height at the withers.
Temperament: Rough when guarding the entrusted property or stock, otherwise good-natured and peaceful, brave and dignified. Loyal to its owner and completely calm in their presence. Fearless and incorruptible.
1. HEAD:
1.1. Skull: must not be flat. Should be rounded from all sides. “Orbital arches” are visible but not too prominent. The frontal furrow is visible but not deep. The occiput is visible but not too pronounced. Head width is 52-57% of head length. The longitudinal measurement of the skull is larger than the transverse measurement. The skull narrows continuously towards the facial region.
1.2. Stop: the angle of the stop far exceeds 90 degrees. The stop is clearly visible but not emphasized.
1.3. Muzzle: shorter than the skull. The length of the muzzle is 40-44% of the head length. The width of the muzzle in the area where the skull region transitions into the muzzle region is 24-38% of the head length. The depth of the muzzle in that region is 32-36% of the head length. The muzzle is blunt wedge-shaped, tapering slightly towards the nose. The line of the muzzle slopes gently from the stop to the nose.
1.4. Nose: must not be above or below the line of the muzzle. Should be large with appropriately sized nostrils. The nose and inner walls of the nostrils must be pigmented. All dogs should have dark pigmentation.
1.5. Lips: must adhere tightly to the bone structure. Medium thickness. The upper lip slightly overlaps the lower lip. The lip contact is weakly emphasized. The lower lips should be tight, firmly adhering to the jawbone and not hanging. The edges and mucous membranes of the lips must be pigmented.
1.6. Jaw/Teeth: The jaw should be well developed and strong. Strong teeth. Teeth arranged regularly in the jaw. Scissor bite, pincer bite, or reverse scissor bite are acceptable. The absence of the first premolar (P1) does not affect the evaluation.
1.7. Eyes: large, almond-shaped. Neither bulging nor sunken. Eye color should harmonize with the coat color. Darker eyes are preferred. Eyelids fit tightly to the eyeballs. The eyelid edges must be pigmented. The gaze should be fearless and calm.
1.8. Ears: positioned at an imaginary line connecting the tip of the nose to the inner corner of the eyelid or slightly below. Ears are triangular. Hair on the ear should preferably match the hair on the cheek. The front edge of the ear, if uncropped, should overlap the head.
2. NECK:
Medium length, 35-40% of the height at the withers. The upper line of the neck is slightly arched, while the lower line is straight. The angle the neck forms with the horizontal should be 35-40 degrees. The neck blends into the head and body without any sharp transitions. The skin on the neck must adhere tightly to the muscles. No dewlap.
3. BODY:
3.1. General appearance: the body must not appear squat. It should be muscular, well connected, and balanced. The body length should be 10-12% greater than the height at the withers. A breed characteristic is that the dogs are higher at the rear than the withers, as the croup can be up to 4% higher than the height at the withers. The topline from the withers to the croup is not straight but slightly sloping. The midpoint of the back should be 4-5% lower than the height at the withers.
3.2. Height at the withers: strong, well connected and slightly prominent.
3.3. Topline: strong and wide, not too long. During movement, the topline should remain as stable as possible.
3.4. Thoracic part of the back: Muscular, strong, well connected to the height at the withers and the loin.
3.5. Loin: Strong, short, can be slightly longer in bitches. Slightly convex when viewed from the side. Muscular, well connected to the thoracic back and the croup.
3.6. Croup: Medium length, 30-35% of the height at the withers. Muscular, well connected to the loin. The croup line forms an angle of 25-30 degrees with the horizontal.
3.7. Ribs: Should be spacious. The rib circumference is 10-15% greater than the height at the withers. The chest depth is 33-45% of the height at the withers. Chest width (measured behind the shoulder blades) is 27-37% of the height at the withers. The ribs are strong and never cylindrical.
3.8. Chest: Muscular and strong. The tip of the sternum (presumably the breastbone) is located at 65-75% of the height at the withers.
3.9. Underline and belly: The belly is slightly tucked up. The underline rises gradually from the sternum towards the hip.
4. TAIL:
The upper line of the tail forms a continuous line with the croup. Ideally, the tail should be at the height of the croup, but can be 5-10% lower than the height of the croup. The tail is strong at the base and tapers towards the tip. In a relaxed state, it reaches the knee vertically, although it appears shorter because it is slightly docked at the tip. The curve of the last third can be so strong that it forms a circle. During movement, the tail is carried higher than the topline, forming a circle. (This circle may touch the midpoint of the topline, can be carried behind the back without touching it, or can be almost horizontal with the last third forming a circle at the tip.) A docked tail is undesirable below the topline, alongside the body.
5. LIMBS:
5.1. Forelegs: The bones of the forelegs are powerful. The circumference of the wrist is 20-22% of the height at the withers. Muscles are lean and firm. The front legs are parallel. The elbow height is 50-55% of the height at the withers.
5.1.1. Shoulders: Medium length, well fitting the body. They form an angle of 45-55 degrees with the horizontal. The shoulder angle is 90-110 degrees.
5.1.2. Upper arms: Should be muscular and strong. They slope toward the body. The upper arms are parallel.
5.1.3. Lower arms: Bones are strong and the muscles well developed. The elbow is positioned along a line parallel to the medial vertical plane of the body. The elbow angle is 110-130 degrees. Both elbows must fit very closely to the body and not be loose.
5.1.4. Front paws: Should be positioned in line with the hind paws. They must be strong and well connected.
5.1.5. Front pastern: Viewed frontally, the pastern is positioned along a horizontal line passing through the axis of the hind legs. It forms an angle of 20-30 degrees with the horizontal.
5.1.6. Paws: Rounded. The toes are strong, rounded, and not splayed. The claws are darkly pigmented. For lighter-coated dogs, the claws should also be lighter. The pads are elastic, full, hard, and pigmented. The webbing skin is well developed.
5.2. Hind limbs: parallel to each other. Must be strong but not too heavy. The stance must be proper, with correct angles.
5.2.1. Upper thighs: Wide, muscular, strong. The length of the upper thigh is 33% of the height at the withers. They are parallel to the loin as well as to the body's central axis. The loin forms an angle of 55-75 degrees with the horizontal.
5.2.2. Lower thighs: Muscular, strong. The lower thighs are parallel to each other. The lower thighs form an angle of 110-145 degrees with the upper thighs (knee).
5.2.3. Knee: Hard and wide, harmoniously tapering toward the rear pastern. The height of the knee (from ground level to the joint) is 25-35% of the height at the withers. The knee angle is 120-150 degrees.
5.2.4. Rear pastern: Strong and well developed. Its height depends on the knee height. The presence of a wolf claw is possible.
5.2.5. Rear paw: Slightly longer than the front paw, the other characteristics are the same as the front paw.
6. GAIT:
The gait must be elegant and harmonious. There must be no spasmodic or twitching movements during motion. The topline should preferably remain still while moving. Arching of the back during movement is not acceptable. The Kangal's preferred gait is medium-paced trot, while galloping is not typical. However, if the dog gallops, the strides are large, but the gallop is indifferent. The final assessment of poorly gaits dogs should be reduced regardless of appearance.
7. SKIN:
Medium thickness, fits well to the head and body. It cannot be loose. The color of the skin depends on the coat color, but the skin must be pigmented.
8. MUCOUS MEMBRANES:
All visible mucous membranes must be pigmented. The color and intensity of pigmentation depend on the dog's coat color. Dark pigmentation is preferred for all accepted colors of the breed.
9. COAT:
Thick and dense. Covers the body well. Slightly shorter on the head and legs than on the body. Should not be silky or thin. Should be harsh. The undercoat is thick and harder than the outer coat. The coat length at the withers is 3-7 cm, depending on the season.
10. COLOR:
The color can range from cream to dark gray in all shades. Pure white color is not permitted. The body has a solid color. Lighter color on the legs is possible with darker spots or patches. Stripes are accepted but not desirable. White color is only allowed on the chest and the tip of the tail, provided the diameter of the white area does not exceed 10 cm. The presence of a mask on the head is mandatory. The mask should be black up to the level of the eyes and lighter on the skull. Blackness of the ears is more favorable. The tip of the tail can be black or white, but only on the last 5 centimeters of the tail.
FAULTS:
Any deviation from the above should be considered a fault, and the severity of the fault is directly proportional to the degree of deviation and its effect on the dog's health and well-being.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
- Overlong, overreaching bite, scissor mouth.
- Monorchism.
- Absence of more than two P2 teeth.
- Absence of any teeth except P1 and P2.
- Ectropion and entropion.
- Black tail without ring.
- Any color not mentioned above.
- Aggression.
- Colored or heterochromatic eyes.
