Turkish kangal

[Adviceneeeeded]

Hello all!

Looking for some dog advice please!

We are moving to a farm house (potentially) so won't actually be looking to get a dog for at least 6 months. But looking for advice now before even considering it

I have done my research, but would like some personal opinions and experience please.

There are about 8 acres of land so space isn't an issue. And there is a room that he would have to him/herself. I'm going to revert to him as ideally we would like a male.

There is potential for him to be a working dog, as in sheep. But we are still in talks with the land owner etc.

My husband is adamant he wants a kangal. I don't mind as I love all animals etc.

But looking for those who have or had them the pros and cons please!

There will be horses on the property too. But they are on the neighbouring field and will sometimes have access to one of our gardens for the grass! Just wanted to check if they would best kept away from each other entirely as in out of sight.

Thank you!

Not sure if this is an unusual breed here...

I think you are very sensible to start your research early OP.

Honestly, a 'normal' dog like a labrador would do the job of barking at strangers for you. Or a Jack Russell, for full-on yippy deterrent with ankle biting possibilities.

Have you ever had a dog, of any type? Has he?

If you have to do all that for your 12! Dogs then they are clearly not safe! I used to dress my dog up and push it around in a pram.

What would attract your husband to wanting to acquire "one of the largest and most powerful" dogs on the planet? Fed up of the consequences of people getting a "status" dog. These should definitely be on a banned list to deter idiots from getting one.

@littletesco I have responded many times on the thread. Please read my updates. I'm stearing away from a kangal.

@SpanielintheWorks if you saw my update. I said DH grew up with them in turkey. But as we are in the UK I am doing my research before even considering.

I wish new posters would read my updates before jumping at me.

Yes, I saw that he'd grown up with them, but that's not the same as having a dog yourself as an adult -- I can see I wasn't clear.

My children have grown up with a dog but I'd consider them novice owners if they got their own.

Growing up with dogs is absolutely nothing like owning one of your own.

Have either of you owned dogs as adults? If not, I'd say neither of you have the knowledge or experience to have any kind of guard dog, and especially not any kind of livestock guardian.

You want a dog that is biddable, easy to train and not overly intelligent.

Inexperienced owners and guarding breeds are an awful combination.

My comment was towards your husband...I think you are extremely sensible checking it out for yourself as his choice will impact your life going forward. Good luck!

Well you are a bit, your updates are really confusing. In your op you say you’re potentially acquiring a sheep farm and need a dog to work the sheep, if you want a dog to work the sheep then you need a border collie (yes I know there’s other breeds that herd, but none as easy to train and adept at the job as border collies). Then you’ve gone from that to wanting a livestock guardian bred to kill wolves, kangals do not herd sheep. Now your other updates with the different breed considerations kind of make you sound inexperienced, if not clueless. Which makes me wonder how you are going to acquire and train a sheepdog in the first place, do you have the knowledge and skills to train a working dog at all? It takes about 2 years to train a dog to work sheep, and that’s for people who know what they’re doing

For what it’s worth btw, one of my dogs is a working bred collie - he’s never been worked but both parents are.

He barks at the door and at anything he thinks is suspicious (we disagree about some of those things,he thinks pigeons are dodgy for instance 😂) but is absolutely fine with visitors or delivery people once he’s let us know they’re there.

My other dog is a foreign rescue his sister has had DNA testing, it came out about 1/3 LGD 1/3 GSD or BSD type and 1/3 terrier - he’s a reactive mess who we’ve recently put on fluoxetine to try and make him bearable to live with as after 3 years of extensive training he’s still not safe to have in the same room as visitors he’s met often.

They’re both rescues, but the collie wasn’t rescued (from fairly severe neglect) until he was 1 where the other one has been in rescue/foster etc since about 6 weeks old. So the differences are mostly genetic.

I have enjoyed reading this thread and googling the various dog breeds. I know several really lovely Dobermans and German Shepherds. When they are really well trained they are absolutely wonderful. What these dogs have in common is very experienced owners (handlers, almost) who are good at being consistent. I'm much more soppy and relaxed with my dog and I get away it because I've got a spaniel (much less powerful and bred to have a very different relationship with humans). So when you're doing your research, as well as thinking about breed of dog, I'd also think about you and your family. Will you all behave consistently (and quite strictly)? To give you an example, I'm quite relaxed about my spaniel jumping up because I can physically intervene myself if I need to. You just can't do that with these other breeds.

Thank you @Not2identifying yes. My dh is ex military, albeit a while back now. He grew up farming and joined and did national service and went on to policing before coming to the UK. He isn't in any of thise fields now and is self employed. He is a person who carries Authority so to speak. I have no doubts that with help of a trainer He would be fine.

This thread is for me really. And starting the process of educating myself.

And as posters have rightly said, kangals are not the way to go. And dh has l, albeit reluctantly, agreed.

We have no plans to be doing anything. We have no.plans to move as of yet. And are in indents talks with the landlord, current tenant etc and neighbouring farms etc.

Hence why I'm checking now, early so I can then branch off into other areas for research.

We have a German Shepherd, he is a rescue having been bought by a first time dog owner who was well meaning, and loved him, but did not have a clue about dogs.

He is fine now, but it took a few years to sort him out, he was reactive, nervous and has an ongoing digestive issue due to inappropriate diet and gastric infections when he was a pup.

He was also taken from his mum too early, but the original owners had no idea it was wrong to separate a 7 week old from his mother.

We are experienced dog owners, and were/are able to support him to be the happiest dog he can be given his early experiences. But this poor dog was nearly ruined by first time owners biting off more than they could chew.

GSD are lovely dogs, but also have the potential to go very very wrong. They are not a novice breed.

Funny, I was asking Siri about what type of livestock I can get for my Kangal mix to be a guardian for on a smaller property and was led to this thread. Interesting stuff. What did you finally decide?
A snippet of backstory and another side that hasn’t been shared maybe…
My big girl is 5 years old now. Got her when she was a wee pup (8 weeks old). Had literally no idea what I was getting myself into. She came to me and I didn’t turn her away. I grew up with large breed working/guard dogs but this breed is a whole other level! We have had many learning experiences together. And not always great ones. When she was 6 months old at bear hunting campsite she took out my knee because she lost her mind with all the stimulus (dead bear being skinned, another dog, new people). She was unpleased to say the least.
Despite being socialized and providing as many safe introductions to new people/things, she has always been super reactive and very protective. She is getting much better but I work with her all the time and have molded my life around making it a safe place for her and everyone.
She adores her family, loves “her” dog and tolerates the rest. She is the best snuggler and truly is my spirit animal. But, oh my, what a freaking challenge! Once you’re in the “circle” you’re in but oof…she doesn’t take to outsiders quickly…and sometimes not at all no matter what I do. She’s very particular who she lets in her inner circle.
I wouldn’t suggest hardly anyone getting this breed for the dog’s safety and the safety of the world. People don’t know how to keep them safe or the people around them safe and these dogs have been treated horribly for just being what they’ve been bred to do/be.

Also…my lifestyle is quite limited. For instance, I only have one person I can trust (that my dog will allow) to watch her when we go on holiday and that person isn’t jumping for joy when asked but they will do it. lol.

Ultimately, I would suggest you find a large breed that tends to be very loyal, docile and trainable. A large dog in itself is a great deterrent and provides a later of safety. And if they love you they will fight to the death for you. They don’t need to be guard dogs for that.

Good for you doing the research. Good on all the folks that brought helpful information to the table and shame on those that were condescending.

Hey op, a bit late but I'm from Turkey and these dogs are often strays, and live with people both in homes and outside. Yes sometimes they can be aggressive but I too grew up with them around, and only ever saw one a kangal being aggressive and that was a dog trying to eat its food. they're nowhere near as dramatically horror film as people are depicting here. They're very loyal, very affectionate towards their family and to children especially. They are also intelligent.

The reason they're not common in the UK isn't cos they're vicious, it's because they're a protected breed forbidden to be exported. However, they are stubborn, do have the strongest bite force and are huge. They need to be trained from puppy hood to be socialised. You might consider getting a puppy trainer. There's a Scottish kangal group on Facebook which can give you advice.

Hi just came across this post. The Kangal is an amazing dog, we have 2. They are extremely intelligent and loving with their family and I know when I’m away my family are safe extremely safe.

If you have the space and time then it’s a fantastic choice.

It sounds like the people giving you advice have never even seen a Kangal in the flesh let alone be around one, some absolutely ridiculous comments.

Join a Kangal forum on social media and you’ll get real advice from people that actually know and care about the breed.

We have a kengal and he is amazing especially with my daughter, train them and supervise appropriately and be a responsible dog owner. The majority of opinions here are based on no personal experience.