Anatolian Çoban Köpegi
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The Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Anadolu Çoban Köpegi) is the Western term used to describe the indigenous livestock guardian dogs from the regions of Turkey, that have been bred for millennia to guard flocks travelling on the Anatolian Plateu.
The general appearance of the Anatolian Çoban Köpegi is that of a tall, rugged and powerful livestock guardian dog; with a dense double coat, broad strong head with pendant shaped ears; well-developed muscular shoulders and hindquarters with good bone; a level topline and a long relatively high-set tail that is carried high and curled over the dog's back when alert.  In Australia today, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are widely used in a working capacity to guard sheep, goats, chickens, alpacas, horses and are renowned for their dedication to their livestock charges, and unsurpassed loyalty to their human handlers.
They may also be found in semi-rural and suburban environments, in the role of family guardian and companion. Anatolians are a very adaptable, strong, hardy, long-living dog, but due to their large size, strength and willful nature, require a home where owners will give the young Anatolian the obedience and socialization training necessary, for it to be a happy member of the family.
The predominant colour is a fawn dog with a black mask (karabas) on a short dense coat (approximately 1 inch), with a thick undercoat; somewheat longer and thicker at the neck and mane.
Breeding for coat hue, or idealised markings and colour combinations, are the luxuries of the modern Western show dog. Traditional, utilitarian dogs had to perform - to select breeding stock based on how black or velvety a dogs muzzle or ears are, is to breed away from Turkish tradition and towards an American / English one. It is important to note, that in Turkey the Çoban Köpegi (shepherd dogs) are not known as 'Anatolian', but rather as Kangal, Yoruk, Haymana, Aksaray, Tuzkoy, Akbas - depending on the dog's function, physical form and the region from which they originate. The term 'Anatolian' is a geographical reference, used by Western Kennel Clubs (ANKC, AKC, FCI, KC) to describe the collective Çoban Köpegi of Turkey, and to reflect their development as a LANDRACE.  Turkish tradition describes types of dogs by their colour - Karabas, Karayaka, Akyaka, Sariyaka, Kizilyaka, Bozyaka, Saribas, Alabas, Akit, Akbas. In Turkey - dogs of fawn / light dun colour and black mask are not confined to being 'Kangal', nor are all Kangals fawn / light dun coloured dogs with black masks. Yoruks, Kangal, Haymana, can all be a light fawn/dun colour with a black mask.
Their colour may also be: white with no mask (Akyaka is the Turkish term used for a white kangal; Akit, Akkus and Akbas refer to a white Yoruk), red colour with or without black mask (Kizilyaka Kangal) black or brindle with or without a black mask (Karayaka) pale yellow or beige with a black mask (Saribas Yoruk; Saribas Haymana; Sariyaka Kangal) tones of beige with a black mask (Bozyaka) red mask, sometimes with a red nose or a pinto face (Alabas) any colour other than white with a black mask (Karabas).    Kizilyaka (red Kangal)^^ Alabas kangal* Akyaka (white Kangal) with her karabas pup*   ^^Courtesy Dr Orhan YilmazKangal (karabas)^^ Karayaka (brindle Kangal)^ *Courtesy Ozcan Eturk
  Yoruk from Denizli^ Yoruk and Haymana lines^ ^Courtesy Guvener Isik
  white kangal - beyaz* brindle kangal^^   Sivas Kangal** Sivas kangal** **Courtesy Umit Ozkanal
  Sivas Kangal** Sivas kangal**
  Karayaka kangal* Sivas Kangal"" ""courtesy Levant Ozturk Within Turkey the details of the Kangal Breed Standard are still contested.
Although the Cynology Federation of Turkiye (KIF) is a recent contract partner of the FCI, at this point in time [April 25th 2011], there is no national Kangal Club functioning in Turkiye, nor is it likely a cohesive representation of Kangal Dog stakeholders will be formed in the near future. This is predominantly due to a lack of consensus amongst breeders and those utilising Çoban Köpegi in the field, on what constitutes Kangals, Tuzkoys, Haymanas, Yoruks, Aksarays - what the definitive differences between them are, and what defines 'Kangal' in this context.  Haymana  Kangal  Yoruk  Tuzkoy  Aksaray Kangal  Kangal  Aksaray  Kangal  Tuzkoy  Aksaray There are many different viewpoints within Turkey about their 'National Dog(s)'.
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