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KANGAL DOG |
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These ancient
guardians have served the shepherds of the mountains and plains in the
Kangal district of eastern Turkey for thousands of years. In the Sivas
area, the family headed by the Aga of Kangal has produced illustrious
leaders in central Turkey since their ancestors, the Turkoman Beys, invaded
Asia Minor around 1000 AD. They were a great land-owning family of the
16th through 19th centuries. These people were—and still remain—renowned
breeders of beautiful animals: the Arabian horse, sheep and the Kangal
Dog. The dogs were also owned by others in the area, but both the dogs
and the region are named for the family.
Turkish natives
all know and identify the Kangal Dog. When a traveler mentions Kangal,
Turks answer, "big, thick head, black-masked dog." Their pride
is such that the Kangal Dog is depicted on a national stamp. Yet, they
are not found as pets in their homeland. As Moslems, most Turks do not
allow dogs in their homes, and the majority of pets are owned by Europeans
or Americans living in Turkey. Work is the only reason for the KangaTs
existence, and to find a specimen, the shepherds and the flocks must be
sought. Like other flock guards, the dogs are easy keepers and fierce,
awesome guards. Nevertheless, children of the shepherd families can play
with the dogs, with the little ones sometimes riding on the huge animals'
backs.
The old term
karabash means black head, and was sometimes used to describe this
type. But the name Kangal is more accurate, both historically and geographically.
The nobility
of the old Ottoman Empire strongly fostered the maintenance of purebred
types. The sultanates and landed aristocracy fell in the 20th century,
however, and this last vestige of support for pure dogs was lost. Despite
the lack of regulatory groups, the dogs remain pure to type in the Kangal
area. A recent non-doggy tourist to Turkey reported seeing the great dun-colored
dogs among the flocks in the mountains north and east of Sivas.
Because there
is no Turkish registry body nor dog shows, the dog remains a working
animal in its native country. Ears are cropped or, more accurately,
"chopped" by shepherds in Turkey. Kangals are now trickling
into the United States and other countries, where they are used for
guardians and livestock protection, in addition to being exhibited at
rare breed shows.
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