Kangal breed is a Turkish shepherd dog that originated from the East Anatolian Plateau of Turkey at the beginning of the 12th century.
They are categorized into molosser family of large dogs as they are said to be related to early mastiffs.
It is recognized by the United Kennel Club and the Cynology Federation of Turkey as an official breed and is also known as Turkey’s national dog.
It has also gained popularity in other countries for its guardianship work on large farms.
They are highly intelligent dogs, very independent, very strong-willed and do not require human leadership for taking decisions.
This breed has a slightly aloof temperament but is good with children and ideal for novice dog owners. If you are planning to adopt or buy one, we have mentioned all the important aspects that will help you make an informed decision.
How much do Kangal dogs cost in India?
Kangal dog price will depend on the area from where it is being bought and raised. Normally you may have to spend anywhere from Rs. 20000 to Rs. 70000, with the average being around Rs. 40000, for the Kangal itself, depending on the breeder, pet store and the area.
What factors influence the Kangal price in India?
Kangal puppy cost will depend on the location of the dog market and will cost higher if it has to be imported to India.
The lineage or quality of the dog, buying places like puppy mills and professional breeders as well as the uniqueness like a mark on the coat or colour of the eyes can affect the price.
Feeding high-quality dog food, raw meat, bread, yogurt and goat’s milk can incur an overall monthly expense of Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000.
Kangal dog is a healthy breed but requires attention and care in the first year with vaccinations costing Rs. 5000 to Rs. 7000. You can get a list of vaccinations required from the vet.
Regular vet visits for ear cleanup is recommended and the choice of neutering/spaying may incur a cost of Rs. 7000 to Rs. 14000 along with medicines for about Rs. 1600.
Grooming – It is good to visit professional grooming before and after the two shedding periods of the Kangal dog to keep infections at bay.
If groomed at home, the overall grooming cost for Kangal dog breed can be between Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per month with basic and high-quality grooming products like shampoo, brush, conditioner, etc.
Visiting a professional groomer may incur anything between Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2000.
Some basic accessories include food and water bowls, leash, collar and toys for dog’s entertainment. Offering a treat to your Kangal dog for achievements and good behaviour will encourage more of them.
It is important to train your Kangal dog for disciplined behaviour and guardianship. The cost of treats depends on the company of commercial dog treat or the type of home-cooked treat offered.
How to Identify a Kangal Dog?
Kangals are gigantic dogs and have a uniform coat colour of pale tan & can grow up to 29 to 33 inches in height and weigh 55 to 65 kg. Female Kangal dogs are comparatively smaller than male dogs but still are of huge size.
Some Kangals have a sable coat and tan hair that has a black tip. They usually have a black mask on their face with ears that are floppy and have a black tinge.
They are very agile and athletic compared to other large-sized breeds.
Is Kangal dog dangerous?
Kangal dogs have a gentle temperament and a predictable personality but they can be dangerous while doing their duty & has bite force of 743 PSI. They are highly intelligent and can recognise potential threats which make them fit for the guardianship job.
Kangal vs. Pit bull
American Pit bull Terrier dog breed is known for its strong muscle power and terrifying bites. They have monster jaws and an unpredictable temper which has gained this breed a fearful reputation but their bite force is only 235 PSI.
Kangal dog has a stronger bite force of 743 PSI and can easily take on a Pit bull.
In ancient times, the popular choice of dog for dogfighting in the US was Pit bull and in Turkey it was the Kangal.
Kangal is a defensive dog naturally and it has been cross-bred to disrupt temperament and increase aggression.
Unfortunately, the use of steroids and drugs to inflame behaviour has ruined the preservation of pure bloodline.
Kangal vs. Lion
It is said during ancient times the first Kangal was bred from a lion which matches with the fact that Kangals have a lion-like size and bite. This dog was also used for protection against lions, wolves and bears in ancient times.
Kangals have also been providing protection from other wild cats like cheetah. Cheetah only has a bite force of 475 PSI and Kangal dogs can easily take them down.
In 1994, 500 Kangal dogs were given to farmers in Namibia to protect livestock from Cheetah attacks and save Cheetahs from being killed by farmers.
Kangal dogs and their acute guarding capabilities helped in reducing the killing of farm animals and cheetahs.
The lion has a bite force of 650 PSI but have a fierce temper and are hunters by nature. Kangals are only shepherd dogs trained to protect flocks from wild beasts.
However, Kangals used to be referred to as Anatolian Lion during ancient times.
Kangal vs. Wolf
Wolves are known for attacking the livestock of farmers and they are the ultimate enemy of the Kangal breed. They are trained from a very early age with a wolf pelt to smell and understand their enemy.
An average bite force of a wolf is 400 PSI while the largest one has a high 1200 PSI bite force. They are well versed in protecting herds from wolf attacks as they have a bite force that matches or is more than most wolves.
Most farmers make their Kangal dogs wear spiked collars to protect them against wolf bites. These dogs have an eagerness to defend and possess qualities like intelligence and attentiveness.
They are known to have successfully killed many wolves in the past. With the growth of industrial farming, it has become uncommon to witness Kangal and wolf battles.
However, the Kangal is way stronger and can kill any wolf with its huge size, incredible speed and bone-crushing bite.
About & History
This breed was named after its origins in the Central Anatolian town of Kangal in Turkey. It is categorised as a molosser breed family which includes the English Mastiff, Rottweiler and Boxer.
Kangals were typically used for protecting herds of sheep that grazed freely in mountainous terrain.
There were many predators including wolves, bears, etc. that the Kangal dog had to fight to protect the farmers’ flocks.
It gives a characteristic howl upon sighting a potential predator to call the sheep to gather behind it. Some strains of the breed are specifically bred to hold against the wolves on their own.
It shows courage and strength and has gained a remarkable reputation in Africa over the years. It was introduced to the United Kingdom in the 1960s and United States in the 1980s and has been recently admitted to the Kennel Club for registration.
Appearance
Kangal is a very large dog with heavy muscles and looks well proportioned with a quite significant difference in male and female build.
It has a large, broad head with a slight dome at the front of the skull and a flat area between the ears. The large tapering muzzle is approximately two-thirds the length of the crown.
It has heavy lips, square outlines jaw and very large teeth. It has a black nose and sports a black facial hair mask that covers the muzzle and both eyes.
They have oval-shaped eyes, a golden-brown coat and high-set ears carried flat to the cheeks that only lift when alerted to a threat.
It has a strong neck with redundant skin, a well-muscled back, a low-curled tail and straight well boned lower limbs.
Kangal dog breeds possess a deep chest with good spring and ample lung capacity and have a well-tucked abdomen.
It has an extremely dense coat that is water-resistant, warm and thick enough to prevent predators from biting through it.
Character & Temperament
Kangals are usually calm and even-tempered dogs that are gentle towards children and other pets. They are difficult to irritate and form great guard dogs.
However, it is a very large and powerful breed with strong independent decision making intelligence and hence cannot be left leniently around children.
If the owner shows a lack of confidence, it will seek the role of the alpha dog and become difficult to manage.
It is important to show firmness and consistency to the dog from an early age to show that it must abide by the owner’s rules.
Most Kangals accept strangers readily but it is important to start socialization to avoid aggressive behaviour.
Trainability
Kangals can be stubborn while being trained and require a patient trainer. It responds well to short training sessions with repetitions throughout the day.
Socialization of Kangals with other puppies and human friends and family is very important from a young age itself.
The owner may encounter mocking-aggressive behaviour when the puppy grows up in adolescence.
It is important to be assertive and correct the dog in time to avoid handling and controlling problems in an adult dog of this size.
Grooming
Kangals have a dense coat and shed quite heavily which requires brushing twice a week. Brushing regularly prevents massive hairballs from depositing on furniture and carpets.
These dogs are mountainside dogs that require very little care and very rare washing. They need nail clipping around every 8 weeks and introduction to daily tooth brushing from a very young age.
Kangal breed is a highly intelligent breed that takes independent decisions and requires very little human guidance.
Over the years this guardian dog has proved itself and recognitions in Kennel Clubs are leading to increased demands for the breed.
Kangal dog breed may not be completely appropriate for an apartment as they require open space and are widely used by people with large ranches and farms. However, they can live in a house with moderately sized yards as well.
They require consistent training and socialisation to bring in good behaviour and avoid aggressive outbursts.
There are certain expenses that will incur while raising this breed that needs to be considered before buying them.
Conclusion
The Kangal dog breed is an intelligent and strong willed breed that needs to be trained patiently for them to obey the owner’s orders. We hope to have helped to get all the information required, that will help you make an informed decision.
Make sure to consider the breed’s temperament and trainability, before you take any decision.