Kangal

The Kangal Dog is the national breed of Turkey and called a National Cultural and Historic Treasure. It was originally used as a livestock guardian dog. It was developed to live with a flock and fend off wolves and jackals, rather than herd a flock. It can run up to 30 miles per hour and has a double layer coat composed of dense under fur covered by longer, coarser hair. The under fur insulates it during the winters and fierce summer heat, while the outer fur repels water. The Kangal is so powerful that some are specialized wolf killers. They will use their substantial forehead weight to knock a wolf to the ground and then attack its throat and the tendons of its hind legs. The Kangal is very ancient. Sculptures of dogs resembling the Kangal are seen accompanying the hunting groups of the Assyrian King Ashurbanipal. The historian, Herodotus, described a strong, large breed known as the "Indian Hound" that the Babylonians kept. The breed might have migrated from Asia. The Kangal is protective and gentle with small children and animals. They are devoted to their families and, thus, are popular pets. The Kangal dog is of solid color ranging from light dun to a beautiful steel grey with a black mask. Another name for the breed is Karabash, which means black head. The Kangel has an awe-inspiring stance and balanced proportions with a tail carried in an open curl over the back forming a circle. The tail can form a single or double curl. Many Kangals have their ears cropped often at a young age. This is done for both appearance and for protection, because long ears can be vulnerable during confrontation with a predator. This video is unique because this was a farm area and the dog was allowed to run loose. It shows the natural behavior of dogs, when not under human control. It formed a pack with another dog and shows its behavior of chasing animals, etc. It was a large friendly dog, but highly intelligent. It seemed to realize that running loose might cause trouble and did not show itself often. Its long powerful leaps are shown as it chases an animal. Anatolian shepherd dog For more information see: http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:...