Animal guard dogs increase Turkish pride

SIVAS, Turkey (AP) – For 30 years, Huseyin Yildiz has been raising strong shepherd dogs in Turkey’s central Anastolian province, Sivas, home to Kangal canines that guard animals that are a source of pride for the country.

However, the breed of animals that Turkey considers to be the national dog is fighting for international recognition. Kennel Club in the United Kingdom lists Kangal Turkish dogs as a distinct breed identified by its snout and dark ears. Elsewhere in the Western world, Kangals are still listed with similar breeds in the region as Anatolian shepherd dogs.

It seems that their origin in the Kangal district of Sivas dates back thousands of years, although concrete evidence is scarce. Yildiz, 50, describes herd offerings as “Anatolian lions.”

“The Kangal dog is the ancient heritage of Anatolia,” he told the Associated Press. “He is fast, quick, agile, agile, strong and intelligent. At the same time, it has a wolf-like appearance, which distinguishes it from other dog breeds. ”

While creatures with large, short-haired skulls are mainly used to protect herds of animals, Yildiz says they are also used for personal protection – Kangals are known to have one of the strongest bites of any dog.

On his farm, 450 kilometers east of Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Yildiz says he keeps male dogs permanently separated because they will fight each other to the death.

He currently has 67 purebred Kangal dogs on the farm, but Yildiz says he has raised more than 500 dogs in three decades and sold most of them. He also donated dogs to police and military forces in Turkey.