Thursday, December 20, 2018

Kuvasz "cousin" - the Aksaray Malaklisi

This is the Aksaray_Malaklisi_dog, a dog in Turkey that is similar to, but different from, the Kangal.

"The Aksaray Malaklısı, also known as the Turkish mastiff or Central Anatolian shepherd, is a large Turkish breed of Molosser-type guard dog. The breed originated from the central Anatolian city of Aksaray, Turkey. Aksaray Malaklısı is the largest of the Anatolian Shepherd dog breeds, superior to the Kangal Shepherd Dog in size. Their name originates from a Turkish word used in Aksaray, "malak" meaning lip, and "malaklı" meaning "with lips" due to the breed's black, dropped, notable lips."

"Aksaray Malaklısı is an instinctive guard dog. Malaklı dogs are also used as livestock guardian dogs. They are not recognized by any international or national kennel club."

"There is no evidence about the origin of Malaklı dogs. It was once thought to be a mix of the English Mastiff and Kangal, or the English Mastiff and Anatolian Shepherd; but the American Mastiff is the result of the latter cross-breeding and presents a different appearance. Another possibility is that most shepherd dogs in the Caucasian-Anatolian area evolved from the same Mastiff-like dog that is the ancestor of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Alabai, Kangal, Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd and English Mastiff."

Click here to see 3:08 video of several Turkish mastiffs: www.youtube.com/LGDs



Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!