What kind of dog is a kangal?
The Kangal Shepherd Dog is a breed of large livestock guardian dog in Sivas, Turkey. Origionally this species has served Turkish people for thousands of years and continues to be a very popular dog breed in Turkey. The Kangal dog named after the small town of Sivas that’s also called Kangal.
When did the Kangal dog come to the US?
In 1985, David and Judith Nelson brought their Kangal to the United States where it, along with other imports, served as the foundation stock for the Kangal Dog in the U.S. There continues to be some debate regarding whether the Kangal Dog is actually a separate breed from the Anatolian Shepherd, another Turkish breed.
Is the Anatolian Shepherd the same as a kangal?
Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club considers “Kangal” to be simply another name for the Anatolian Shepherd. However, many breeders consider the Kangal to be genetically distinct from the Anatolian Shepherd. This breed is also known as the Kangal Shepherd Dog.
Is it possible for a kangal to become obese?
Luckily, Kangals are difficult to become obese, especially if they are given a chance to exercise and walk. Despite its size, the Kangal is a controlled breed. However, these dogs do tend to develop an independent streak if proper training and socialization is not achieved from a young age.
What is the average lifespan of a Kangal Shepherd?
The Kangal Shepherd Dog is a guardian dog breed that originated from Sivas, Turkey also known as Turkish Kangal or Anatolian Kangal. It’s a large dog breed at about 28 to 34 inches tall, weighing anywhere between 90 to 150 pounds. The average lifespan of the Kangal Shepherd is around 13 to 15 years.
Are Kangal Dogs and Turkish Shepherd the same?
There continues to be some debate regarding whether the Kangal Dog is actually a separate breed from the Anatolian Shepherd, another Turkish breed. It is commonly accepted, however, that true Kangal Dogs are a separate breed from generic Turkish shepherd dogs.