“Dear friends,
My name is Onur Kanli. I am the chairman of the Turkish Shepherds’ Dogs Protection Society in Turkey and Turkish Kennel Club representative of the Turkish dogs. Our club is very new and we started registering all the dog breeds living in Turkey. We are in contact with the FCI. So far we have had 2 shows under FCI judges.
We don’t recognize a breed called Anatolian. Such a breed never existed in our country. This is what we told FCI. Kangal and Akbash dogs are judged under different categories during our shows.
What is an Anatolian? Mixture of our dogs. Kangal, Akbash, Kars dog, Yoruk and Turkish Mastiff. Even some mongrels. First dog taken to England were Kangals but taken from Konya region. I personally met the lady who imported the first Turkish dogs to England. At that time there were no breed awareness in our country. I am talking about 40 years back. Finding a name to register them was necessary. At that time general name as Shepherd’s Dog(Coban Kopegi) was told to the lady. Finding a name was very simple then. They came from Anatolia and they were shepherds’ dogs. Anatolian Shepherd dog was a perfect name. In practice it is not only the name that we object. This makes the discussion very simple. Then some other people introduced tri-color, mixed dogs to England and managed to register them under the same name. In England there are two clubs now. ASDC and AKDC. AKDC has Kangals and ASDC have mixtures. But since The English K.C. registers only Anatolians as it has always been all the dogs are shown under this name. AKDC is working very hard to change the name to Kangal. We attended a meeting together with their secretary at the English Kennel Club. The meeting was very successful for us. E.K.C. is going to attend to our next show in May. I am sure that one day Kangal will be recognized by every authority in the world. As the Turkish Kennel Club we are making our moves slowly but surely. In such a big country no one should expect to have only one breed of dog. By the help of scientific studies we hope that we will introduce all our dogs to the world.
I agree that only color does not make a breed. In our standards Kangal is in the shades of fawn with black mask and ears. I have seen pictures of mixed dogs or other breed of dogs shown as Kangals here. These are just ideas without a proof and they don’t help to the recognition of Kangal Dog worldwide. Best wishes.
Onur Kanli, Turkey”
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
mr.onur kanli,will you trade kangal dog to china. brandy
Hi Mr. Onur Kanli,
I am Noel Hernandez from the Philippines. I have read your articles regarding the Kangal dogs in the internet (Kangal.Ca) and was amazed by it. This lovely creatures of yours are truly magnificent and a breed for a good companion. I have a female dalmation and a female labrador but not into breeding due to space and time constraint. I have been looking here in the Philippines for kangal puppies but hit a blank wall. I found out that importing directly from Turkey is restricted if not totally ban. I’m trying to contact Australia and London breeder but still waiting for response. You said ” we hope that we will introduce all our dogs to the world” but why restrict ownership to non Turks who believe that this is a great dog? Is it bad to give to others the good things you have? Maybe you have your reason. Maybe then can you help me by directing me to where I can acquire a female puppy where I can also breed someday if the weather here permits? What are the requirements and what will it cost me? I believe this dogs should be freely breed outside Turkey to make it available to people who really appreciate the good temperament and qualities of the breed. I am 50 years old working on a tele-communication company. I am planning to retire at the age of 55 and live in the countryside farm. I am preparing now and one of those are to have a pet companion like yours. I could be your future breeder here in the Philippines!
Most breeder in Turkey in the internet does not write english, too bad. I wish I could understand them.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
Noel Hernnadez
Bacoor, Cavite
Philippines