Kangal Dog - Breed Standards

by **Admin** 5/10/2013, 14:08

TURKISH SHEPHERD DOG - KANGAL
KIF Breed Standart

Origin: Republic of Turkey
Patronage: Turkey
Date of publication of the original valid standard:
Utilization: Guard and shepherd dog
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer
- Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs.
Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type.
Without working trial.

THE BREED’S BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :
According to the most accurate theory of the non-European origin of the shepherd dogs, the Turkish Shepherd Dog Kangal most probably originates of the ancient livestock guardian dogs, which migrated with the nomadic tribes exercising primitive herding, from Central Asia to Anatolia from 10000 BC to 1300 AC. One of those clans, namely the Kayi Clan, was the founding fathers of the Ottoman Empire.

It is considered that the present shape of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog breeds including the Kangal Shepherd Dog dates back to the times when the Ottoman Empire was established at the beginning of the 12th century. The Kangal Shepherd Dog has protected the sheep flocks bravely against any wild predators in the though the geography and under the though weather conditions of its homeland, namely Sivas and the east Anatolian region since then.
Today, in all parts of Turkey, where the traditional sheep herding is still present, Kangal Shepherd Dogs show the same traits which are represented by their ancestors.

GENERAL APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER:
The Kangal is a molossus type dog. Its constitution is robust, even rough. Compact body is covered with thick hair. Body is of rectangular shape.
Height: Height at the withers is 65-78 cm with +/- 2 cm tolerance.
Important proportions: Head length is 39-40% of height at the withers. Skull length is 56-60% of head length. Profile lines of the nozzle and the skull are divergent. Body length is 10-12% greater than height at the withers.
Temperament: Harsh while guarding the entrusted property or flock, otherwise benign and of a peaceful temperament, bold and dignified. Loyal to the master and completely calm in his presence. Fearless and unbribable.

1. HEAD
1.1. Skull: must not be flat. Should be rounded from all sides. Orbital arches are visible but are not overly pronounced. The furrow in the forehead is visible, but not deep. Occiput is visible but not overly expressed. Head width is 52-57% of head length. Length of the skull along the longitudinal axis is greater than width of the skull along the transversal axis. The skull gradually narrows towards the facial region.
1.2. Stop: stop angle is well over 90 degrees. Stop is clear but not overly pronounced.
1.3. Muzzle: is shorter than the skull. Nozzle length is 40-44% of head length. Nozzle width in the area where skull region turns to nozzle region is 24-38% of head length. Muzzle depth in that area is 32-36% of head length. Muzzle is in the shape of a blunt wedge that is lightly tapering towards the nose. Nozzle line from stop towards the nose is gently sloped.
1.4. Nose: must not be above or under the nozzle line. It must be large with nostrils of sufficient size. Nose and the inner side of the nostrils must be pigmented. All dogs should have dark pigmentation.
1.5. Lips: must be well adhering to the bone basis. Are of medium thickness. The upper lip slightly overhangs over the lower lip. Joining of the lips is weakly pronounced. Lower lip must be tight, well-adhering to the lower jaw, and must not be hanging. Edges and mucous membranes of the lips must be pigmented.
1.6. Jaws/Teeth: Jaws must be well developed and powerful. Teeth are regularly arranged in the jaws. Powerful teeth. Scissors bite, pincer bite or reverse scissors bite are accepted. Lack of first premolars (P1) does not affect the assessment.
1.7. Eyes: large, almond-shaped. Neither bulging nor sunken. Eye color must be in accordance with hair color. Darker eyes are more desirable. Eyelids adhere to the eyeballs tightly. Eyelid rims should be pigmented. Gaze should be calm and fearless.
1.8. Ears are set at the height of an imaginary line that connects the tip of the nose with the inner corner of the eyelids, or slightly lower. Ears are triangular in shape. Hair color on the ears is preferred to be the same as hair color of the mask. Front edge of the ears, if not cropped, should overlap the head.

2. NECK
Of medium length, 35-40% of height at the withers. Upper line of the neck is slightly rounded, while the lower line is straight. The angle that the neck forms with a horizontal line should be 35-40 degrees. The neck is merging to the body and head without sharp transitions. Skin on the neck must be tightly attached to the muscular base. No dewlap.

3. BODY
3.1. General appearance: the body must not be squat in appearance. It must be muscular, well connected and balanced. Body length is 10-12% greater than height at the withers. It is a breed characteristics that the dogs are high at the rear, as the rump is up to 4% higher than the withers. Back line, form the withers to the rump is not straight, but slightly sagging. Midpoint of the back is 4-5% lower than the withers.
3.2. Withers: Powerful, well connected and mildly prominent.
3.3. Top line: must be strong and broad, not too long. In motion, top line should be as still as possible.
3.4. Thoracic section of the back: Muscular, powerful, well connected to the withers and loins.
3.5. Loins: Powerful, short, may be a bit longer in bitches. Observed from the side, slightly convex. Muscular, well connected to the thoracic section of the back and croup.
3.6. Croup: Of medium length, 30-35% of height at the withers. Muscular, well connected to the loins. Croup line and horizontal line form an angle of 25-30 degrees.
3.7. Ribcage: must be spacious. Ribcage circumference is 10-15% larger than the height at the withers. Chest depth is 33-45% of height at the withers. Chest width (measured behind the shoulder blades) is 27-37% of height at the withers. Ribs are powerful and never barrel shaped.
3.8. Chest: muscular and strong. Tip of the chest bone is at 65-75% of height at the withers.
3.9. Bottom line and belly: Belly is slightly recessed. Bottom line slowly rises from the sternum profile to the hips.

4. TAIL
Upper line of the tail forms a continuous line with the croup line. Ideally the tail set shoud be level with the height of the croup, but it may also be 5-10% lower (than height of the croup). Tails is very powerful at the base, while its thickness gradually decreases towards the tip. When relaxed, it reaches the hock hanging down vertically, though it appears shorter as it is slightly curved at the tip. Curvature of the last third can be so strong that it can form a circle. In action preferably the tail is carried higher than the back line forming a circle. (This circle may also touch the medial line of the back, may be carried behind the back without touching it or may be carried almost vertical with the last third forming the circle at the tip.) Curved tail shouldn’t be carried on the side of the body below the back line.

5. LIMBS
5.1. Forequarters: Bones of forequarters are powerful. The carpal circumference is 20-22 % of the height at withers. Muscles are lean and hard. Forequarters are parallel. Elbow height is 50-55% of height at the withers.
5.1.1. Shoulders: Of medium length, adheres to the body well. Forms an angle of 45-55 degrees with the horizontal. Shoulder angle is 90-110 degrees.
5.1.2. Upper legs: Must be muscular and strong. Leans to the body. Upper legs are parallel.
5.1.3. Lower legs: Bones are strong and muscles are well developed. Elbow is located in the line that is parallel to the medial vertical plane of the body. Elbow angle is 110-130 degrees. Elbows should be kept very tight to the body and shouldn’t be loose.
5.1.4. Front feet: Located at the extension of the vertical line of the lower leg. Must be strong and well connected.
5.1.5. Front pastern: Observed from the front, pasterns are located on the vertical line that passes through the lower leg axis. It forms an angle of 20-30 degrees with the vertical.
5.1.6. Paws: Roundish. Fingers must be strong, rounded, and not splayed. Nails are pigmented darkly. In dogs with lighter hair color, nails should be lighter. Cushions must be elastic, full, firm, and pigmented. Swimming skin is developed.
5.2. Hind quarters: parallel relative to each other. They must be strong, but not too heavy. Stance must be regular, with adequate angles.
5.2.1. Loins: wide, muscular and powerful. Length of the loins is 33% of height at the withers. Loins are parallel respective to each other, as well as to medial axis of the body. Loins form an angle of 55-75 degrees with the horizontal.
5.2.2. Lower leg: Muscular, strong. Lower legs are parallel relative to each other. Lower legs form an angle of 110-145 degrees with the upper leg (knee).
5.2.3. Hock: Must be firm and wide and end at the rear pastern harmonically. Height of the hock (from the ground level to the joint) is 25-35% of height at the withers. Hock angle is 120-150 degrees.
5.2.4. Rear pastern: Strong and well developed. Height varies depending on height of the hock. Presence of dewclaws is possible.
5.2.5. Rear feet: A bit more elongated than the front feet, other characteristics identical with those of the front feet.

6. GAIT
Gait must be elegant and harmonic. There should be no jerks or spasms in motion. Back line should be as still as possible during movement. Arching of the back during movement is not tolerated. Kangal's favorite gait is trot of medium length, while gallop is not characteristic. However, If the dog gallops, then the jumps are long but the gallop is stolid. Final grade of dogs with bad gait should be lowered regardless of the exterior.

7. SKIN
Of medium thickness, well adhering to the head and body. Must not form a dewlap. skin color depends on hair color, but skin must be pigmented.

8. MUCOUS MEMBRANES
All visible mucous membranes must be pigmented. Intensity and color of the pigmentation depend on color of the dog. Dark pigmentation is preferred with all accepted colors of the breed.

9. HAIR
Thick and lush. Covers the body well. A bit shorter on the head and legs than on the body. It should not be silky or thin. It should be firm. Undercoat is thick and finer than the upper coat. Length of hair at the withers is 3-7 cm, depending to the season.

10. COLOR
Color should be from crème to dark gray in all nuances. Base white color is not allowed. Body is of a solid color. Lighter color is possible on the legs, with acceptable darker flecks or spots. Brindle is allowed but is not desirable. White color is allowed only on the chest and the tip of the tail, wherein the diameter of the white field on the chest is not larger than 10 cm. Presence of the mask on the head is obligatory. The mask should be black up to the eye level and lighter on the skull. Preferably the ears are black like the mask. Tip of the tail may be white or black, but colored in such way no longer than 5 cm, observed from the tip to the base.

FAULTS:
Any departure of the foregoing points must be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :
• Overshot and undershot bite, wry mouth
• Monorchism
• Absence of more than 2 of the P2
• Absence of any teeth than P1 and P2
• ectropion, entropion
• Sable tail without the circle
• All hair colors than the above described.
• Aggressiveness
• Colored and / or differently colored eyes.

by **Admin** 23/11/2013, 12:17

The Turkish Scientific Standard

The Turkish Kennel Club, formed in 2001, approved a detailed breed standard for the Kangal Dog, which was published in Turkey at the Second International Kangal Dog Symposium in July 2005.

The Breed Standard of the Kangal Dog
(Approved by Turkish Kennel Club 2005, presented by Doç Dr Mustafa Özcan, Istanbul University Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry)

General appearance
Kangal dog is a large and strong livestock guarding dog with an awe-inspiring stance and balanced proportions. The head is large; ears are medium-sized, black and pendant; a black mask covers nose and muzzle; coat colour varies from sand to pale grey; the short, dense, double coat and the tail carried in an open curl over the back forming a circle, when the dog is alert, are the typical characteristics of the breed.

Temperament and behaviour
The Kangal dog is a livestock guarding dog. Instinctively it provides protection for sheep and goat flocks, guarding rather than herding them. It is courageous, fast and agile. It warns against danger and will pursue predators when necessary. It maintains a protective and balanced relationship with the animals in the herd. It prefers to act independently of the shepherd and to be free to protect the herd. It possesses strong instinctive working capabilities. It is full of love for and loyalty to its master. It is aloof to strangers; however, it does not display undue aggression.

Head and skull
The mesocephalic head is large but in good proportion with the body in general. The proportion of the foreface (from the stop to the tip of the nose) to the head length (from the occiput to the tip of the nose) is between 1:2.1 and 1:2.5 and foreface and forehead are parallel. Skull may show slightly raised occiput. While the head of the male dog resembles that of a lion, the head of the pregnant dog is comparatively narrower and more elegant. The ears are set well apart and black. Characteristic black mask covers the nose and mouth.
Faults: Dolichocephalic (narrow, long head) and brachycephalic (short-faced) head structure; extremely large head.

Eyes
Eyes have an intelligent and trustworthy expression. In proportion to the head size, eyes are medium sized, oval and deeply set. The eye rims are black. The colour of the eyes varies from honey yellow to brown. The white of the eye and the haw should not be visible.
Faults: Large, round eye structure, drooping eyelids, light yellow eye colour.

Nose and muzzle
The nose is prominent and blunt, with large nostrils. When the mouth is closed and observed from the side the nose is rectangular in profile. The muzzle is completely black including the lower jaw. There can be a black spot on the cheek. The structure of the jaws is strong. The teeth are well placed in the upper and lower jaws and upper and lower jaws close in a scissor or level bite. Jaws are strong. Black lips are pendulous enough to cover the lower jaw, but tight enough not to cause slobbering. The colour of the tongue is pink.
Faults: Extremely pendulous lips; narrow, long nose.

Ears
The ears are medium-sized, pendant and triangular in shape, rounded at the tips, placed at the outer edge of the head and set a little higher than the level of the eyes. The front edge of the ear can be measured to a spot near to the cheek and when pulled forward should have the length to overlap the eye. The colour of the ears is black, complementing the mask on the face.
Faults: Straight ears; too short or too long ear size.

Neck
The neck is slightly shorter than head length, thick, well muscled, slightly arched where it meets the head. Slight dewlap, especially seen in males.
Faults: Too short or too long neck proportions; weak neck.

Body structure
The body is well proportioned and strong. The back line flows gently from the shoulder, runs parallel to the ground and ends with a slightly arched tail end. The chest reaches down to the elbows; the ribs are substantial; abdomen is slightly drawn in. The loin is well muscled. Shoulder is strongly constructed and well muscled and at the same height as the rump. The parts of the body are firm, well muscled and without fat. The proportion of the shoulder height and body length is 1:1.2. This proportion gives the dog a slightly rectangular appearance. The proportion of chest width (width across shoulders) and chest depth (width across between withers and sternum) is 1:1.5.
Faults: Narrow and weak chest or cylinder-shaped body structure; extreme thinness.

Legs
The forelegs and hindlegs are large-boned, well muscled, strong and move in close co-ordination with the rest of the body. When observed from the front, the forelegs are parallel and straight to the ground; elbows are close to the chest. When observed from the back, hocks are parallel and straight to the ground. Hind legs are strong with moderate stifle angulation.
Faults: Weak or poorly muscled legs; over- and under-angulation of the knee; hocks turning in or out.

Feet
The feet are large, strong and well arched. The nails are short and blunt. The colour of the nails can be white or black. The pads are well cushioned, dark in colour and firm. Hind dewclaws can be seen in some individuals. However, this is not a requirement.
Faults: Narrow or splayed feet.

Tail
The tail reaches to the hock. The hair on the tail is denser than on the body. When relaxed the tail is carried straight down to the hocks with the tip slightly curled upwards. When alert, the tail forms a single or double curl. The curled tail is carried in line with the spine, not falling to either side of the hip.
Faults: Tail with too long hair (feathering) or with thin hair; insufficient curl; straight tail.

Coat
The Kangal Dog is a short-coated breed. It has a double-layered coat structure formed of short and longer hair. The hair in the outer layer is longer and coarser. The undercoat is soft and dense. The hair on the neck and shoulder areas is longer than the hair on the other body parts. The hair on the face, head and ears is very short.
Faults: A coat structure of too short or too long hair; wavy coat.

Colour
Pale grey, pale yellow, pale brown coat colours can be seen. White colour markings can only be accepted on feet, up to the knees, and on chest. Characteristic black mask and ears. Other than these markings, solid overall coat colour is required.
Faults: Lack of black mask; white markings on the chest and feet extending into main coat colour.

Movement
The Kangal Dog has a calm and self-confident gait, suggesting inherent power and agility. The back remains straight when walking and at slow speed it can be observed from the side that fore and hind legs move parallel to each other (pacing). When trotting, diagonally opposite legs move in parallel. At the walk and the trot, the head and neck are held level with the line of the back. Strides are of moderate length, not short-stepping or over-reaching. As speed increases, so does the tendency to single-track.

Weight
50–70 kg in male dogs, 40–55 kg in pregnant doges.
Height
70–85 cm in male dogs, 65–75 cm in pregnant doges.

Disqualifications
• Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism
• Brown nose
• Albinism Harming stock (chasing, biting, killing); shy or fearful behaviour; failure to stay with the flock; extreme and uncontrolled aggression
• Lack of black mask; white markings on face
• Blue, green, black eye colour
• Undershot or overshot jaw
• Tail not curled over back when alert
• Colour other than the stated standard coat colours; multicolour or striped coat colour; markings on any part of the coat other than below knees and chest.

The Kangal Dog is also a recognized pedigree breed with published standards in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and United States (by the United Kennel Club but not the American Kennel Club). It is not yet recognized by the English Kennel Club or the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

by **Admin** 23/11/2013, 12:23

British Kennel News about Kangal Dog

Turkish Kangal Dog – Proposed interim Breed Standard

(effective from July 2013)

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website here:

www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breeds/watch

for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.

General Appearance: Large, well muscled and of balanced proportions, with a sound and impressive stance. Important features of the breed include an impressive head, without any exaggeration, with black or dark coloured mask covering muzzle and with black or dark ears. Ears are medium sized and pendant; the double coat is short and dense, ranging in colour from cream through all shades of fawn to grey. When alert the tail is carried in an open curl over the back, forming a circle. Must have size, stamina and speed. Dogs noticeably masculine, bitches feminine.

Characteristics: Active breed used as a guarding dog for sheep and livestock; they guard the flock rather than herd. Capable of hard work and enduring extreme temperatures.

Temperament: This is not by nature an aggressive breed but it can be dominant and territorial. Steady and bold, naturally independent, very intelligent. Proud and confident, but can be aloof with strangers. Loyal to its master.

Head and Skull: Skull large, broad and slightly rounded. Appears flat between the ears when alert. Slight furrow in forehead. Moderate stop. Ratio of skull: muzzle approximately 3:2. Mature males have broader heads than females. Slightly pendulous lips giving a square profile to the foreface. The muzzle tapers slightly towards the nose, which is large and black with wide, open nostrils. The face always has a characteristic dark mask covering the muzzle. The mask may extend beyond the eyes.

Eyes: Medium sized, almond to oval in shape. Tightly fitting eyelids showing no haw. Golden to brown in colour, harmonizing with coat colour. Darker eyes preferred. Eye rims well pigmented.

Ears: Medium sized, triangular in shape, rounded at tips. The ears are set slightly below the top of skull, pendant and carried flat to the cheeks, higher when alert. Ears should be darkly pigmented to complement the hallmark dark mask.

Mouth: Teeth are large and well placed with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaw. Level bite or reverse scissor bite is acceptable. Jaws strong. Lips black.

Neck: Slightly arched, powerful, muscular, moderate in length, rather thick, slight dewlap permissible.

Forequarters: Shoulders well muscled and sloping. Forelegs set well apart, straight and well boned, of good length, being 50-55% of the total height of the dog. Strong pasterns, slightly sloping when viewed from the side. Elbows close to sides.

Body: Chest deep to point of elbow, ribs well sprung. Body powerful, well muscled, never fat. Body slightly longer than height at withers = 10:9. Withers slightly prominent, with a very slight dip behind, rising to strong, slightly arched loins. Moderate tuck up.

Hindquarters: Powerful, lighter than forequarters; moderate turn of stifle with firm, strong hocks.

Feet: Strong, round to oval, with well arched toes, back feet more elongated than front feet. Nails black or grey. The pads are well cushioned and strong. Hind dewclaws can be seen in some individuals.

Tail: Long, reaching at least to hock. Set on rather high. The hair on the tail tends to be slightly longer than on the body, without feathering. When relaxed carried low with a slight curl. When alert carried high in an open, central curl over back, especially in males. It should never fall to either side of the hip.

Gait/Movement: Relaxed, even gait, with impression of latent power, very supple movement. Noticeable straight line of head, neck and body, giving impression of stalking in some dogs. Great drive when viewed from side. As speed increases however, the legs converge to a central line and there is a tendency to single track.

Coat: Short, dense and weatherproof with thick undercoat. Flat, close lying, neither fluffy nor wavy. Slightly longer and thicker at neck, shoulders and tail; no feathering on ears, legs or tail.

Colour: The Kangal dog is a whole coloured dog, ranging from cream through fawn, to dun or steel grey, with characteristic dark or black mask and ears. Small amount of white on chest, toes and chin permissible, but not to be encouraged. Black or white tip to tail acceptable (no more than 5cm). Dark pigmentation preferred. Brindle undesirable.

Size: Height at shoulders: dogs 74-81 cms (29-32 ins); bitches 71-79 cms (28-31 ins).

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

by **Admin** 23/11/2013, 12:36

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/4734/23/5/3

Recognition of the Turkish Kangal Dog

As previously announced, the Kennel Club will recognize the Turkish Kangal Dog with effect from 1 April 2013. Those owners who wish to transfer the registration of currently registered Anatolian Shepherd Dogs should contact the Registrations Dept on 0844 4633 980 for an application form.

The breed standard for the Turkish Kangal Dog has been written and is available to view on the Kennel Club website at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/4728. It will be formally published on 1 July 2013 and becomes active from that date.

The following should be noted:
1. The Kennel Club will begin to process Turkish Kangal Dog registrations upon receipt, but these will not become active until 1 July 2013 at the earliest. Up until this date, dogs may be shown as Anatolian Shepherd Dogs pending confirmation of the change in breed registration from 1 July 2013.
2. Dogs which are registered as a particular breed may only be exhibited as that breed, and only in classes for which that breed is eligible.
3. The Turkish Kangal Dog will not be eligible for exhibition until 1 July 2013, when the breed standard becomes effective.
4. The eligibility of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs to exhibit is not affected, provided they remain registered as this breed.

Note for show societies: Separate classes for the Turkish Kangal Dog may only be scheduled at shows held on or after 1 July 2013, though entries for Turkish Kangal Dogs to compete in shows on and/or beyond 1 July 2013 may be accepted prior to this date.

ENDS
15th January 2013
[015.13]

For journalists who would like further press information, images or interview requests click here.
www.thekennelclub.org.uk

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