CULTURAL BACKGROUND

If any dog breed can be characterized as the "national dog" of Turkey, the Kangal Dog is that dog. Simply stated, the Kangal Dog is a cultural and historic icon of the Turkish people.
Every Turkish citizen has heard of the Kangal Dog! Every Turk is proud of the Kangal Dog! Every Turk knows they originate in the Sivas-Kangal Region of Turkey. Everyone - from the taxi driver in Istanbul to the President of the Republic in Ankara - has heard about the Kangal Dog!
The Kangal Dog has folkloric status in Turkey. The Kangal Dog is, without question, embedded in the cultural fabric of Turkey. Many consider the Kangal Dog and its name "Kangal" to be a national Turkish treasure.
Clearly, not every Turk knows the technical morphology, or Breed Standard, of the Kangal Dog. Just as in America, not everyone is a dog expert. However, they have all heard of the "Kangal" and they all have an image and impression of these great mastiff-like dogs from the "east."
The image of the Kangal Dog in Turkey is very positive. This image connotes power, strength, and generates a great sense of pride. There is a feeling of awe for the great Kangals of Turkey!
Turkish national pride in the Kangal Dog is evident in many ways. This is reflected clearly in the famous Turkish postage stamp for which the Kangal was a model.
Illustrated on this page is a Turkish soldier with his Kangal Dog guarding the Presidential Palace in Ankara.