Foundation of Breed in the UK & Europe

                                                                        By Sheila Reed, President AKDC  

                                                                                           A Kangal - Ankara Zoo 1982.     

Introduction:

I was Chairman of the Anatolian Karabash Dog Club from 1983 to 1997 and am currently President.  That club has tried always to strengthen connections & interaction with the people of Turkey . 

I remember well the first of my visits to Turkey in 1984.  We had driven overland from England following the route my husband had taken in 1982.

I knew that historically Turkey was a great Nation proudly standing with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia but nothing could have prepared me for the site of a bridge quite literally joining the two continents.  Nor was I prepared for the sight, as we drove between Istanbul and Ankara on a huge modern highway, of a  young boy walking with his stick (which he waved enthusiastically at passing traffic) and two magnificent yellow dogs with black heads whilst a vast flock of sheep and the ever present donkey grazed & moved slowly on their journey.  

                     The bridge in Istanbul Turkey that is between Asia and Europe.  Europe is on the left and Anatolia is on the right.

Now I could begin to understand why over the centuries travelers to this part of the world had written with such awe about these dogs.  As a part of my interest I have taken every opportunity to study any written information about the dogs and historical references to them.  Much of these writings had been by travelers, whether they referred to them by description or name, it was because of my interest & research that I was invited to present a paper at the Symposium in Konya on the History of the Breed.  

                                                            A Turkish Shepherd.  Photo posted in an Embassy in the 60's or 70's.

Much of what I have learned has been with the help, information, and joint research from many other people.  It was Mrs. Emmett who obtained documentation from Ankara University in October 1983.  This document Reference number 336 refers to:  The Kangal-Sivas Shepherds Dogs known by you as the Karabas.  The body color may vary from light cream to dark beige, a black mask must always be present on the head, generally ears are also black. 

Thus I began to learn that the dog which Evliya Celibi had refereed to as Karabas, that was referred evolving as all things do into the modern world and known by modern Turkish people as the Kangal Dog.

May not copy or duplicate any information or photos from this web site for any reason without permission Sheila Reed.