Kangal and Akbash, two Kuvasz "cousins"

These two Kuvasz "cousins" come from Turkey.

 

The Kangal or "black head," is from eastern Anatolia.

Kangal adult with intact ears. The traditional black mask
of the Kangal, or "Black Head", shows distinctly here.

Kangal adult with cropped ears. The
traditional black mask of the Kangal,
or "Black Head", shows distinctly here.

The Kangal coat colour varies from pale fawn to wolf grey, always with a black mask.  It is a traditional flock guardian dog, kept with flocks of sheep to fend off predators of all sizes, including wolves, bears and jackals. It is thought to have the most powerful bite of all domestic dogs.

Akbash puppy with ears left intact.
The Akbash is called the "White Head."

Akbash adult with intact ears and tail.
The Akbash is called the "White Head."

About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!