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Boz Shepherd vs. Anatolian Shepherd vs. Kangal Shepherd vs. Aksaray Malaklisi (Detailed Difference)

Boz Shepherd vs. Anatolian Shepherd vs. Kangal Shepherd vs. Aksaray Malaklisi (Detailed Difference)

Dogs on the planet are fundamentally connected; certain varieties naturally share more genetic material than others, which explains why certain breeds resemble others more closely. Many dogs have breeds of similar types but different from each other in some respect.

So today, you will get information about 4 different kinds of dogs with similarities and differences. But we will focus more on our topic that shouts for telling the disparities to you. But before we begin our difference part, let’s introduce you to these shepherds.

  • Kangal and Anatolian shepherds are huge, robust Turkish breeds of dogs. They are renowned for their loyalty to their owners and protectiveness.
  • Although smaller and friendlier than the Kangal, the Boz Shepherd is also a long-standing breed of dog from Turkey.
  • Another Turkish breed that originated from the same lineage as the Boz Shepherd, the Aksaray Malaklisi was bred for its herding prowess rather than its size or temperament.

While these shepherds have many characteristics in common, each landrace version has been specialized by people, and variances in size, coat, build, strength, structure, and agility persist to the point where they are regarded as separate breeds.

Learn more about their differences as you read this blog post till the end.

Turkish Boz Shepherd

Turkish Boz Shepherd
Turkish Boz Shepherd

The Turkish Boz Shepherd is a moniker that has recently been given to identifying a regional type of dog from South and South East Turkey that was previously only determined by the towns or regions they originate from.

The canines of the Yoruk Nomadic Shepherds can still be seen in Urfa, Turkey, and Konya. Guregh in Urfa, Konya, or Tuzkoy if from those places, Toros, Yoruk, or BozKangal in other areas. In Turkey, the most prevalent name for the type is Boz.

As a regional landrace variety, the Turkish Boz Shepherd is a livestock guardian that has preserved its primal and intuitive intelligence and intrinsic guarding and defending traits; this is the breed’s distinctive feature. He is devoted to his family and flock and is loyal, kind, and gentle.

When a serious threat is detected, he will defend and secure the safety and survival of his family and flock with great power, strength, and wisdom. This defensive nature is what drives him to protect.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Turkish Boz Shepherd
Anatolian Shepherd Dog

An Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a tough, imposing flock protector with a long history.

These muscular avengers are prized as working guard dogs without equality. They are protective, territorial, intelligent, patient, and profoundly loyal.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog reaches between 27 and 29 inches tall and weighs up to 150 pounds. Anatolians are more than a match for their country’s predators and hard terrain, being heavily muscled but agile on foot.

Anatolians are intelligent, devoted, responsive, and adaptable individuals. They will ferociously guard their flock’s animals, children, smaller canines, and even the household cat.

Anatolian owners must be capable and willing leaders capable of dealing with a dog who is as dominant and demanding as he is peaceful and affectionate.

Kangal Shepherd

The Kangal Canine is a huge, robust, heavy-boned dog whose size and proportions have evolved naturally due to its ongoing use as a predator deterrent in Turkey. The head is broad and wide, with drop ears.

A properly proportioned Kangal Dog is somewhat longer (from prosternum to the point of buttocks) than tall (from withers to ground), and the length of the front leg (from the point of elbow to ground) should be slightly more than one-half of the dog’s height.

The tail, which is sometimes curled, completes the distinctive silhouette. The Kangal Dog has a medium length and density double coat.

Kangal Dog wears a black mask and has velvety ears that contrast with its overall hue, ranging from light dun to grey. Honorable scars or other evidence of harm from field work are not to be penalized.

Aksaray Malaklisi

It’s a dog herder. Cattle have been the most significant source of sustenance for the indigenous for generations, and there were many flocks of sheep and cattle in general.

These lovely canines have been dedicated to protecting and guarding flocks alongside their owners since time immemorial.

They are large, hefty dogs who appear sluggish at first appearance, yet they are incredibly agile and swift in reality. Its hair is made of two layers.

Aksaray Malaklisi
Aksaray Malaklisi

Like all canines in this geographic region, they require fur to resist the area’s temperatures and harsh weather. There are numerous colors supported: yellow and brown.

Prominent Differences Between These Dogs

There are several differences between these 4 dog types. However, we will cover some of them below.

1. Turkish Boz Shepherd

Origin

The Turkish Boz Shepherd is a huge old dog from Southern Turkey’s Northern Urfa Mountains.

Life Expectancy

The Turkish Boz Shepherd has a life expectancy of 10-15 years.

Living Conditions

  • They are more laid back in nature and require less energy or effort.
  • The Turkish Boz Shepherd is comfortable prowling across open grassland, keeping an eye on their charges.
  • They are a useful complement to the family at home.

Height and Weight

Standing up to 36 inches tall and weighing up to 190 pounds, that’s a lot of dogs.

Temperant

The Turkish Boz Shepherd is a large, clever, and devoted dog. They are compassionate and devoted to their family and the cattle they guard.

2. Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Origin

Artifacts from the Anatolian region dating back to 2000 B.C. describe a dog that meets the description of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog: huge and muscular with a heavy skull.

Life expectancy

The Anatolian dog breed is prone to health issues such as entropion and canine hip dysplasia and has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years.

Living Conditions

  • The Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are a hardy breed. However, they should be kept indoors with their families due to the possibility of escape when kept outside.
  • Because of their big size and activity requirements, they are unsuitable for apartment life.

Height and Weight

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog reaches between 27 and 29 inches tall and weighs up to 150 pounds.

Temperament

This dog is a steady, confident, intelligent, and bold dog. The Anatolian shepherd is often self-sufficient and vigilant.

3. Kangal Shepherd

Origin

The Kangal (pronounced khan-Bahl) is a huge livestock-guarding dog breed that originated in the city of Sivas in central Turkey.

Life expectancy

Kangal Shepherds live an average of 13 to 15 years.

Kangal Shepherd
Kangal Shepherd

Living Conditions

  • They have a large appetite and require a lot of space to gallop around for roughly two hours per day.
  • The Kangal is a huge dog well-suited to agricultural life, the outdoors, and work. They are not a breed that can live well in a kennel.

Height and Weight

  • At maturity (at least two years), males should be 30 to 32 inches tall, and females should be 28 to 30 inches tall.
  • A healthy male Kangal dog should weigh between 110 and 145 pounds. A woman’s ideal weight range is 90 to 120 pounds.

Temperament

This breed is pleasant to known humans, children, and household pets. Territorial in all other ways.

4. Aksaray Malaklisi

Origin

  • The Aksaray Malaklisi is named for the Aksaray Province in Central Anatolia, where it originated.
  • It is thought to have an ancestry with the Kangal but has been carefully bred for increased size and weight.

Life expectancy

The life expectancy of this dog breed is about 12 to 16 years. Aksaray Malaklss live a long time. They have a longer lifespan than many other breeds.

Living Conditions

  • Aksaray Malaklisi is a canine who was never meant to live in an apartment. Even a house with a yard may be insufficient for this shepherd dog.
  • They require their farm and a lot of hard work to be happy and healthy. As a result, a wide area with flocks of sheep to care for would be great for this dog.

Height and Weight

  • Male bones are often bigger and heavier than females—25 to 33 inches.
  • Males weigh 154-264 pounds, while females weigh 110-176 pounds.

Temperament

It is extremely dog territorial. They are frequently aggressive toward other canines, which may be the most heinous legacy of humans.

This kind of dog was almost exclusively used for dog fighting, which may explain his reputation as an “aggressive” dog.

Let’s watch this to find the difference between dog breeds.

Let’s once again sum up the above differences in the table below.

 FeaturesBoz Shepherd DogAnatolian DogKangal Shepherd DogAksaray Malaklisi
OriginSouthern Turkey’s Northern Urfa MountainsAnatolia Region of TurkeyCity of Sivas in Central TurkeyAksaray Province in Central Anatolia
Life Span10 to 15 years10 to 13 years13 to 15 years12 to 16 years
Height and Weight36 inches tall and 190 pounds27 and 29 inches tall and 150 poundsMales: 30 to 32 inches tall, weighing between 110 and 145 pounds Females: 28 to 30 inches tall, weighing between 90 to120 poundsMales are bigger than females, about 25 to 33 inches
Males: 154-264 pounds
Females: 110-176 pounds
Difference Between the Four Dogs

Conclusion

  • This article covered the differences between four dog breeds. Although some may look similar, they are yet different.
  • They differ in origin and have different living spans, temperaments, and conditions. Moreover, they have different heights and weights.
  • The Aksaray Malakls is named for the Aksaray Province in Central Anatolia, where it originated.
  • The Kangal (pronounced khan-Bahl) is a huge livestock-guarding dog breed that originated in the city of Sivas in central Turkey.

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