Kangal Dogs International

Kangal Dogs International is dedicated to the preservation of the rare and magnificent Kangal Dog, a livestock guardian breed from the Sivas-Kangal region of Turkey. 

The survival of the Kangal Dog as a breed is threatened by:

• urbanization and cultural change in Turkey;
• cross-breeding with mastiff-type dogs to create a larger dog;
• cross-breeding with other Turkish livestock guardian dogs to create the Anatolian Shepherd Dog;
• lack of vaccination and veterinary care in Turkey;
• small populations and a small gene pool in the U.S. and other areas outside Turkey.

Kangal Dogs International addresses these threats by:

• supporting vaccination and veterinary care programs in Turkey
• supporting placement of Kangal Dogs with shepherds in Turkey;
• supporting rescue programs for Kangal Dogs in Turkey, Germany and the U.S.;
• collecting, archiving and distributing historic references, written materials, oral histories, photographs and video about the Kangal Dog from Turkey and around the world;
• encouraging diversification of the Kangal Dog gene pool in the U.S. and internationally;
• promoting use of the Kangal Dog as a livestock guardian in the U.S. and internationally;
• educating the general public about this unique and important breed.

You can help by:

• purchasing Kangal Dog calendars, t-shirts, images or decorative collars from Kangal Dogs International;
• sharing written materials, photographs, or other resources for the archives;
• volunteering to help with a project;
• spreading the word about this incredible breed.