Kangal Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Kangal Dog, or Anatolian Shepherd, is a stunning canine with an intimidating presence. The ancient canine is native to Turkey and was bred to be a guardian dog. Unlike herding dogs, their role is to defend livestock against predators instead of moving them around a property.

Breed Overview

While Kangals are affectionate and loyal pets to their owners, they’re not particularly friendly with strangers. They’re not adaptable pets and will not tolerate apartment living. The Kangal also isn’t the best choice for first-time pet owners. They’re more suitable for experienced individuals who can understand their unique needs.

Bear in mind that selective breeding can influence a pet’s demeanor. The Kangal is a textbook case. They’re also another example of how learning more about a breed’s temperament and history can help you determine if they’re suitable for your family and lifestyle.

Kangal Dog Characteristics

Kangal Dog Puppies

The Kangal isn’t a pet for everyone. Several traits, including their size, may make them unsuitable for beginners. That makes a difference in the cost of owning one and the heightened responsibility for proper training and socialization. Although they’re not very common in the United States or the United Kingdom, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognize the breed.

Like many larger breeds, the Kangal is surprisingly calm. Their guarding duties require endurance and stamina, so they conserve energy instead of wasting it needlessly. They’re not in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything unless the circumstances demand it.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Kangal Dog

It never ceases to amaze us how a dog’s job affects their personality as a pet. The Kangal relied on its intelligence and observance to do its work. That shows up even in pups that don’t do the same thing. The traits are ingrained in the breed. In this case, that shows itself as intelligence. A Kangal Dog had to discern friends and foes as a guardian. It learned to recognize the telltale signs.

The Kangal Dog also patrolled the perimeter of its territory on its own. That fosters independence that you often see in hunting breeds. Their jobs didn’t leave a lot of time for an owner to give the signal. The pup had to make snap decisions. You see this trait in this pup. The temperament also reflects its heritage. This breed is reserved and not as overtly friendly as Golden Retrievers.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Unfortunately, the Kangal is not the best choice for a family dog if there are children in the household. They aren’t kid-friendly dogs and won’t tolerate roughhousing. Remember that they are guardian dogs, not herding ones. They aren’t going to round up the little ones as a Border Collie might.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The size and temperament of the Kangal make them an inappropriate choice in a household with small pets. They’re calm around large farm animals but may chase or attack smaller pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Kangal Dog:

Researching a breed is essential. It often provides valuable insights into whether a dog is a good fit for your family and lifestyle. It reveals what every pet owner should know upfront. We’ve covered many of the make-or-break topics. Now, it’s time to talk about the day-to-day requirements of the Kangal.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Kangal is a giant dog that requires plenty of food to thrive, and their diet must include a high-quality formula designed for giant breeds. They mature more slowly than smaller breeds. Giving your pet the wrong food can lead to nutritional deficiencies because of their metabolism.

You should give your puppy three to four meals a day. That will ensure that their blood sugar levels stay stable during this changeable time in your pet’s life. Your Kangal won’t reach adulthood until they’re over a year old. We suggest following the manufacturer’s recommendations for portion sizes and discussing their diet with your vet.

Kangals are susceptible to bloat, which can occur if they gulp down food quickly while swallowing air. It can result in a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary care. You can help prevent it by feeding your adult dog two times a day and using a slow feeder.

Exercise 🐕

Giant breeds never fail to surprise us with their relatively low need for exercise. The Kangal Dog takes life easy at their own pace. Nevertheless, daily walks are essential to provide physical and mental stimulation for your pup. This activity will help you bond and introduce your dog to new people and pets, which can prevent fearfulness in adults.

Training 🎾

The Kangal is intelligent, as evidenced by their guarding skills. However, their high intelligence can make training challenging for novice pet owners.  The other consideration is their wanderlust potential. Remember that this dog’s function just was keeping the flock safe, which gave them the room to roam.

Grooming ✂️

The Kangal is an outdoor breed with the coat to match. It’s thick to protect them from the elements. However, it’s not hard to groom. Regular brushing will keep the kangal’s coat healthy and allow you to monitor your dog for any potential skin conditions. You should trim their nails often, especially if you don’t walk your pet on the pavement.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Kangal Dog doesn’t have many of the health conditions you see in overbred breeds, but they’re vulnerable to coditions typical of canines of their size and body shape. Pre-breeding health screening can control some of these, and feeding precautions can take care of most of the rest.

Male vs. Female

The physical differences between male and female Kangal Dogs are stark, and males are much heavier and taller than females. They have similar temperaments, but as we’ve said, this breed isn’t for the beginner and is better suited to the experienced dog owner.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Kangal Dog

1. The Anatolian Shepherd Was a Secret Weapon

Not surprisingly, there were lots of secrets going back and forth in the days around World War II. The Kangal or Anatolian Shepherd was part of the intrigue. Their American experience began with a pair brought into the country under the covert name, the Sheepdog Project, to encourage raising these animals.

2. The Kangal Is an Ancient Breed

The history of the Kangal goes back nearly 4,000 years. The breed even appeared in the Book of Job.

3. The Kangal Is Surprisingly Tolerant

The breed’s origins are in Turkey. That would make you think they can only tolerate warm and hot conditions, but they can handle cold climates and low temperatures.

Final Thoughts

The Kangal is a striking animal worthy of the attention they garner. They’re strong yet calm protectors with a calm disposition capable of action yet not excitable. While Kangals aren’t the best choice for all pet owners, those who welcome those into their lives won’t regret it. After all, there’s a good reason that they have endured for hundreds of years.

Featured Image Credit: klenger, Shutterstock