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Breed profile

Kangal Shepherd Dog

Turkish livestock guardian with a black mask and a calm, serious temperament. Bred to decide for itself.

Weight
40–60 kg88–132 lb
Height
63–80 cm25–31 in
Lifespan
11–13 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Working
Origin
Turkey
Popularity
—Not ranked in UK ·

Known for: WatchdogsWorking dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Protective, Calm, Independent, Loyal.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Entropion

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Space to patrol and daily walks; mental work matters more than speed. Weekly brushing, more in the moult. Early, ongoing socialisation and very secure fencing.

A good fit for

Farms and smallholdings with livestock, and experienced owners of guardian breeds.

Probably not ideal for

Town homes, first-time owners, busy households with many visitors, and small gardens.

Sources

  1. Kangal Shepherd Dog | Wikipedia
  2. Turkish Kangal Dog | Breeds A to Z | The Royal Kennel Club
  3. Kangal Shepherd | Hill's Pet Nutrition
  4. FCI Standard No. 331: Kangal Shepherd Dog

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

Similar breeds

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An ancient Turkish livestock guardian: calm, watchful and very independent. Built to think for itself, not to take orders.

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A large white Hungarian guardian. Devoted to its own family, suspicious of everyone else, and inclined to make its own decisions.

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Komondor

A huge Hungarian flock guardian in white cords. Calm at home, fiercely protective of it, and the coat is a hobby in itself.

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