Turkish Kangal Dog

If we had to list all the breeds of dogs that exist, it would be complicated, as there are more and more different species that we had not heard of before. Today we want to tell you more about one of them, the Turkish kangal dog.

This dog seems taken from another era, because it has a very ancient history. If you want to know more about its origin, characteristics and character, follow us. You are going to love this article.

What you need to know about the Turkish Kangal dog

History and origin

As its name suggests, the Turkish kangal dog has its origin in Turkey and is considered by the Turks as a national treasure, as a symbol. Its existence is said to date back to the Roman Empire.

Despite being sure of this, there are no writings of that time, which is why three theories about its existence are shuffled. Or rather, it is believed that they were mixed with three different breeds of dogs:

• The Roman molossers that were brought from Greece.
• The English Mastiff, a dog that made a very good impression on Julius Caesar and the Romans for its robustness and elegance at the same time.
• The Assyrian dogs that were known as the Assyrian Molossians.

Thus arose the Turkish kangal dog, which was used as a guard dog and as a companion for armies to herd the flocks while conquering territories. These herds were used to feed the soldiers, because in the time when there were no refrigerators, the meat, in this case of sheep and goats, was transported alive.

After this, with the conquest of the Roman Empire, this dog spread everywhere.

Characteristics of the Turkish kangal dog

The Turkish kangal dog is one of the giant dog breeds and has an imposing appearance. He is tall, heavy and very muscular, with dense and somewhat wrinkled skin in the shoulder area.

Its height is 65 to 78 centimeters, although this varies according to the federation. There are some that support up to 81.5 centimeters. Its weight may vary depending on the specimen.

A curiosity is that it has two layers of hair, an external one that is waterproof and an internal one that protects it from the cold. Its color is usually sand and gray tones, although white spots are sometimes allowed on the face.

From its size, it is clear that you will need a good dose of daily exercise to preserve the health of your joints.

Character

His character is calm, self-assured and very brave. He is also powerful, protective, and seems to know how to control his emotions when there are difficult situations.

Despite the fact that they have always been raised in rural areas, they are very used to being in family, so they are familiar and protective of their own.

He is intelligent and sociable, so he will need social and mental activity that makes him balanced and happy. For this, exercise is also essential.

Health and other questions

The health of the Turkish kangal dog is usually very good and they are considered one of the longest-lived dogs that exist. They usually live between 12 and 15 years. However, some are known to tend to have lipomas, benign tumors that should not cause any alarming concern.

Their hair does not require special care, but it is important to keep in mind to brush it at the change of season to remove dead hair.

This is everything we wanted to share with you about the Turkish kangal dog, a fascinating and versatile animal that is totally optimal to have as a pet. Would you like to have one?

Image source: Franck Balzar, Thomas Steiner and Dfence