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; bred for thousands of years to guard flocks travelling on the Anatolian Plateu.  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 immense 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 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.
It is important to note, that in Turkey, the Çoban Köpegi (shepherd dogs) are not known as 'Anatolian' but rather as Kangal, Yoruk, Haymana, Akbash, Malak -
depending on their function, physical form and the region from which they originate.  Turkish tradition also 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 pinto 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 There are many different perspectives in Turkey about their 'national dog(s)'.
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