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The Kangal Dog is a UKC registered dog in the USA!
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard, Guardian Dogs Group
© Copyright 1998, United Kennel Club, Inc.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Kangal Dog is a large, powerful, heavy-boned dog, whose size and proportions have developed
naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against predators. The head is large
and moderately wide with drop ears. A properly proportioned Kangal Dog is slightly longer (measured
from prosternum to point of buttocks) than tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and length of
the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should equal slightly more than one-half of
the dog's height. The tail, which is typically curled, completes the distinctive silhouette. The Kangal
Dog has a double coat that is moderately short and quite dense. The Kangal Dog has a black mask and
black velvety ears that contrast with a whole body color which may range from light dun to gray.
Honorable scars or other evidences of injury resulting from working in the field are not to be penalized.
CHARACTERISTICS
The typical Kangal Dog is first and foremost a stock guardian dog and possesses a temperament typical
of such dogs-alert, territorial, and defensive of the domestic animals or the human family to which it
has bonded. The Kangal Dog has the strength, speed, and courage to intercept and confront threats to
the flocks of sheep and goats that it guards both in Turkey and the New World. Kangal Dogs prefer to
intimidate predators but will take a physical stand and even attack if necessary. Kangal Dogs have an
instinctive wariness of strange dogs but are not typically belligerent toward people. They are
somewhat reserved with strangers but loyal and affectionate with family.
HEAD
The head is large but in proportion to the size of the dog without appearing heavy or coarse. The
female's head is somewhat more refined than the male's head. Viewed from above, the broad skull
tapers very slightly toward the place where the muzzle joins it and then tapers slightly from the base of
the muzzle toward the nose. When viewed from the side, the length of the muzzle, measured from stop
to the end of the nose, is slightly shorter than the length of the skull, measured from occiput to stop, in
an approximate ratio of 2:3.
Faults: Narrow head.
SKULL
The skull is broad between the ears and slightly domed. The ratio of skull width in relation to total
head length is approximately 3:5. There is a slight central furrow which runs from the middle of the
skull through the stop and gradually broadens into the wide base of the muzzle. The cheeks are
moderately well developed. The stop is well-defined but not abrupt.
Faults: Skull too flat; skull too narrow
MUZZLE
The muzzle is deep and moderately blunt due, in part to the development of the upper lips which are
somewhat padded, especially in mature males. When viewed from the side, the jaws are of equal
length.
The muzzle is blockier and stronger in the male. The lips are fairly tight and always black.
Faults: Snipey muzzle; over-developed flews.
TEETH
The Kangal Dog has a complete set of large, evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors or level
bite. Broken teeth resulting from field work are not to be penalized.
Serious faults: Over or undershot bite; more than two teeth missing; wry mouth.
NOSE
The nose is large and solid black.
Disqualification: Liver or chocolate-colored nose
EYES
The eyes are medium sized, somewhat round, set well apart and show no haw. Eye color ranges from
deep brown to amber. Eye rims are black.
Serious faults: Pale yellow eyes; lack of solid black pigment on the eye rims; loose eye rims.
EARS
The ears are pendant, medium sized, triangular in shape and rounded at the tips. The ears are set even
with the outside corners of the skull. When alert, the ears may be carried slightly higher. The front edge
of the ear is carried close to the cheek and, when pulled forward, the ears should amply cover the dog's
eyes. In puppies, the ears may appear disproportionately large. In Turkey, the majority of Kangal Dogs
have their ears cropped as puppies. Cropped ears on a dog imported from Turkey should not be
penalized, but cropped ears on a domestic-bred dog are a disqualification.
Faults: Any ear carriage other than pendant; ears set too high or too low; ears too large or too small.
Disqualification: Cropped ears on a domestic-bred dog
NECK
The neck is powerful and muscular, moderate in length, slightly arched, and rather thick. Some dewlap
is present.
Faults: Short, heavy neck; overly long neck; exaggerated dewlap.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are well-muscled and moderately angulated. The forelegs are long, well-boned, and set
well apart, with strong, slightly sloping pasterns. The elbows move freely and close to the sides. The
front quarters are slightly heavier in proportion to the hindquarters.
Faults: Loose shoulders or elbows in mature dogs; bowed front legs; feet that turn in or out; chest too
wide or too narrow.
BODY
The body is powerful and muscular. The line of the back inclines very slightly downward from the
withers, levels, and then rises with a slight arch over the short, muscular loin which blends into a
moderately short and slightly sloping croup. The ribs are well sprung. The moderately wide chest is
deep with the brisket extending down to the elbow. Tuck-up is moderate. The Kangal Dog is a working
dog and should always be presented in well-muscled condition.
Faults: Narrow or poorly muscled chest; narrow rib cage; barrel chest; long back or long loin; steep
croup; overweight or lack of muscle.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are powerful and well-muscled although somewhat less substantial than the
forequarters. The rear legs are well-boned and moderately angulated at the stifle and hock joints. The
hind legs are parallel when viewed from the rear. The rear pasterns are moderate in length and slope
slightly forward from the hock joint when the dog is standing in a natural position.
Faults: Poorly muscled thighs; insufficient or over-angulation at stifle or hock; rear feet turning in or
out.
FEET
The feet are large with the front feet somewhat larger than the rear feet. They are either rounded or oval
in shape with well-cushioned pads and toes that may be webbed. Nails, which may be black, white, or
mixed in color, should be kept blunt. Rear dew claws may be absent, present, single, or double. Dew
claws may be removed.
Faults: Splayed feet.
TAIL
The tail, which is set at the end of the croup is uncut, thick at the base, and tapering to the tip. The hair
is slightly fuller on the tail than on the body. When the dog is in repose, the rather long tail reaches at
least to the hock. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried in a curl over the back. The curl may be tight
or loose but when the tail is curled tightly, the tip of the tail may fall off to one side of the back.
Faults: Extensive tail feathering or plumed tail; tail too short or too long; tail carried off-center (to the
side of one hip) when curled; kinked tail.
COAT
The Kangal Dog has a short double coat, neither wavy nor fluffy. In cold weather, the coat is very
dense, nearly uniform in length. In warm weather, much of the undercoat is shed, leaving a short, flatter
outer coat. The outer coat is harsh and the undercoat is very soft, dense, and sometimes gray in color.
The hair on the neck, shoulders and tail is only slightly longer than the hair on the body. The hair on the
tail is never plumed or feathered. Most Kangal Dogs have a strip of flatter hair along the topline. The
hair on the face, head, and ears is quite short.
Faults: Feathering anywhere on the body or on the legs or tail; lack of undercoat; medium, long or
shaggy coat.
COLOR
Color is an important characteristic of the Kangal Dog. In Turkey, non-standard colors or patterns are
indicators that the dog is not a purebred Kangal Dog. The true Kangal Dog color is always solid and
ranges from a light dun or pale, dull gold to a steel gray, depending on the amount of black or gray in
the outer guard hairs and in the soft, cashmere-like undercoat. This basic color is set off by a black
mask which may completely cover the muzzle and even extend over the top of the head. Ears are
always black. White is only permitted on the feet, chest and chin. The white on the feet may extend half
way up the forearm. The white on the chest may range from a small spot to a blaze which may extend in
a narrow stripe under the chest. Such blazes are frequently outlined with dark hair. Only a small white
spot is allowed on the chin. The tip of the tail is usually black and a black spot in the middle of the tail
is often present.
Disqualifications: Solid black, white, or chocolate colored dogs; dogs with piebald, brindle or other
parti-colored patterns; white markings on the face other than the small white spot on the chin.
Faults: Poorly defined black mask.
HEIGHT & WEIGHT
Desirable height at maturity (minimum two years), measured at the withers, ranges from 30 to 32 inches
for males and 28 to 30 inches for females. A male Kangal Dog in good condition should weigh
between 110 and 145 pounds. A female should weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Height and weight
in both sexes may exceed the foregoing and should not be penalized as long as overall balance is
maintained.
Fault: Obese, soft condition.
GAIT
The Kangal Dog's movement reflects the breed's combination of strength and agility. Its natural gait is
relaxed and efficient with strides of moderate length. The back remains level, and the front and rear
legs on each side move in a parallel fashion. As speed increases, however, the width between the legs
decreases and the tendency to single track increases. Pacing at a slow gait is acceptable.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness, marked shyness or cowardliness. Piebald, brindle, or
parti-colored coat color patterns. White, black, chocolate or liver whole body color. Liver or
chocolate color nose. Cropped ears on a domestic-bred dog.
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard, Guardian Dogs Group
© Copyright 1998, United Kennel Club, Inc.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Kangal Dog is a large, powerful, heavy-boned dog, whose size and proportions have developed
naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against predators. The head is large
and moderately wide with drop ears. A properly proportioned Kangal Dog is slightly longer (measured
from prosternum to point of buttocks) than tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and length of
the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should equal slightly more than one-half of
the dog's height. The tail, which is typically curled, completes the distinctive silhouette. The Kangal
Dog has a double coat that is moderately short and quite dense. The Kangal Dog has a black mask and
black velvety ears that contrast with a whole body color which may range from light dun to gray.
Honorable scars or other evidences of injury resulting from working in the field are not to be penalized.
CHARACTERISTICS
The typical Kangal Dog is first and foremost a stock guardian dog and possesses a temperament typical
of such dogs-alert, territorial, and defensive of the domestic animals or the human family to which it
has bonded. The Kangal Dog has the strength, speed, and courage to intercept and confront threats to
the flocks of sheep and goats that it guards both in Turkey and the New World. Kangal Dogs prefer to
intimidate predators but will take a physical stand and even attack if necessary. Kangal Dogs have an
instinctive wariness of strange dogs but are not typically belligerent toward people. They are
somewhat reserved with strangers but loyal and affectionate with family.
HEAD
The head is large but in proportion to the size of the dog without appearing heavy or coarse. The
female's head is somewhat more refined than the male's head. Viewed from above, the broad skull
tapers very slightly toward the place where the muzzle joins it and then tapers slightly from the base of
the muzzle toward the nose. When viewed from the side, the length of the muzzle, measured from stop
to the end of the nose, is slightly shorter than the length of the skull, measured from occiput to stop, in
an approximate ratio of 2:3.
Faults: Narrow head.
SKULL
The skull is broad between the ears and slightly domed. The ratio of skull width in relation to total
head length is approximately 3:5. There is a slight central furrow which runs from the middle of the
skull through the stop and gradually broadens into the wide base of the muzzle. The cheeks are
moderately well developed. The stop is well-defined but not abrupt.
Faults: Skull too flat; skull too narrow
MUZZLE
The muzzle is deep and moderately blunt due, in part to the development of the upper lips which are
somewhat padded, especially in mature males. When viewed from the side, the jaws are of equal
length.
The muzzle is blockier and stronger in the male. The lips are fairly tight and always black.
Faults: Snipey muzzle; over-developed flews.
TEETH
The Kangal Dog has a complete set of large, evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors or level
bite. Broken teeth resulting from field work are not to be penalized.
Serious faults: Over or undershot bite; more than two teeth missing; wry mouth.
NOSE
The nose is large and solid black.
Disqualification: Liver or chocolate-colored nose
EYES
The eyes are medium sized, somewhat round, set well apart and show no haw. Eye color ranges from
deep brown to amber. Eye rims are black.
Serious faults: Pale yellow eyes; lack of solid black pigment on the eye rims; loose eye rims.
EARS
The ears are pendant, medium sized, triangular in shape and rounded at the tips. The ears are set even
with the outside corners of the skull. When alert, the ears may be carried slightly higher. The front edge
of the ear is carried close to the cheek and, when pulled forward, the ears should amply cover the dog's
eyes. In puppies, the ears may appear disproportionately large. In Turkey, the majority of Kangal Dogs
have their ears cropped as puppies. Cropped ears on a dog imported from Turkey should not be
penalized, but cropped ears on a domestic-bred dog are a disqualification.
Faults: Any ear carriage other than pendant; ears set too high or too low; ears too large or too small.
Disqualification: Cropped ears on a domestic-bred dog
NECK
The neck is powerful and muscular, moderate in length, slightly arched, and rather thick. Some dewlap
is present.
Faults: Short, heavy neck; overly long neck; exaggerated dewlap.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are well-muscled and moderately angulated. The forelegs are long, well-boned, and set
well apart, with strong, slightly sloping pasterns. The elbows move freely and close to the sides. The
front quarters are slightly heavier in proportion to the hindquarters.
Faults: Loose shoulders or elbows in mature dogs; bowed front legs; feet that turn in or out; chest too
wide or too narrow.
BODY
The body is powerful and muscular. The line of the back inclines very slightly downward from the
withers, levels, and then rises with a slight arch over the short, muscular loin which blends into a
moderately short and slightly sloping croup. The ribs are well sprung. The moderately wide chest is
deep with the brisket extending down to the elbow. Tuck-up is moderate. The Kangal Dog is a working
dog and should always be presented in well-muscled condition.
Faults: Narrow or poorly muscled chest; narrow rib cage; barrel chest; long back or long loin; steep
croup; overweight or lack of muscle.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are powerful and well-muscled although somewhat less substantial than the
forequarters. The rear legs are well-boned and moderately angulated at the stifle and hock joints. The
hind legs are parallel when viewed from the rear. The rear pasterns are moderate in length and slope
slightly forward from the hock joint when the dog is standing in a natural position.
Faults: Poorly muscled thighs; insufficient or over-angulation at stifle or hock; rear feet turning in or
out.
FEET
The feet are large with the front feet somewhat larger than the rear feet. They are either rounded or oval
in shape with well-cushioned pads and toes that may be webbed. Nails, which may be black, white, or
mixed in color, should be kept blunt. Rear dew claws may be absent, present, single, or double. Dew
claws may be removed.
Faults: Splayed feet.
TAIL
The tail, which is set at the end of the croup is uncut, thick at the base, and tapering to the tip. The hair
is slightly fuller on the tail than on the body. When the dog is in repose, the rather long tail reaches at
least to the hock. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried in a curl over the back. The curl may be tight
or loose but when the tail is curled tightly, the tip of the tail may fall off to one side of the back.
Faults: Extensive tail feathering or plumed tail; tail too short or too long; tail carried off-center (to the
side of one hip) when curled; kinked tail.
COAT
The Kangal Dog has a short double coat, neither wavy nor fluffy. In cold weather, the coat is very
dense, nearly uniform in length. In warm weather, much of the undercoat is shed, leaving a short, flatter
outer coat. The outer coat is harsh and the undercoat is very soft, dense, and sometimes gray in color.
The hair on the neck, shoulders and tail is only slightly longer than the hair on the body. The hair on the
tail is never plumed or feathered. Most Kangal Dogs have a strip of flatter hair along the topline. The
hair on the face, head, and ears is quite short.
Faults: Feathering anywhere on the body or on the legs or tail; lack of undercoat; medium, long or
shaggy coat.
COLOR
Color is an important characteristic of the Kangal Dog. In Turkey, non-standard colors or patterns are
indicators that the dog is not a purebred Kangal Dog. The true Kangal Dog color is always solid and
ranges from a light dun or pale, dull gold to a steel gray, depending on the amount of black or gray in
the outer guard hairs and in the soft, cashmere-like undercoat. This basic color is set off by a black
mask which may completely cover the muzzle and even extend over the top of the head. Ears are
always black. White is only permitted on the feet, chest and chin. The white on the feet may extend half
way up the forearm. The white on the chest may range from a small spot to a blaze which may extend in
a narrow stripe under the chest. Such blazes are frequently outlined with dark hair. Only a small white
spot is allowed on the chin. The tip of the tail is usually black and a black spot in the middle of the tail
is often present.
Disqualifications: Solid black, white, or chocolate colored dogs; dogs with piebald, brindle or other
parti-colored patterns; white markings on the face other than the small white spot on the chin.
Faults: Poorly defined black mask.
HEIGHT & WEIGHT
Desirable height at maturity (minimum two years), measured at the withers, ranges from 30 to 32 inches
for males and 28 to 30 inches for females. A male Kangal Dog in good condition should weigh
between 110 and 145 pounds. A female should weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Height and weight
in both sexes may exceed the foregoing and should not be penalized as long as overall balance is
maintained.
Fault: Obese, soft condition.
GAIT
The Kangal Dog's movement reflects the breed's combination of strength and agility. Its natural gait is
relaxed and efficient with strides of moderate length. The back remains level, and the front and rear
legs on each side move in a parallel fashion. As speed increases, however, the width between the legs
decreases and the tendency to single track increases. Pacing at a slow gait is acceptable.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness, marked shyness or cowardliness. Piebald, brindle, or
parti-colored coat color patterns. White, black, chocolate or liver whole body color. Liver or
chocolate color nose. Cropped ears on a domestic-bred dog.
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