Yes, I responded to the original poster before reading all the comments. The Kangals, Anatolians, Boz, and Yoruk are difficult to tell apart because the Turks do not, on the whole, consider them to be different. They are variations of what they consider the landrace working livestock guardian dogs . I believe the Boz is actually a subtype of the Yoruk, but differentiating them is fairly controversial. In addition to their relative freedom from genetic and other disease, they have an incredible lifespan for a giant, living up to 15 years! As I've said, I'm just in love with these dogs
I could go on and on! My husband isn't so interested in listening to me go on and on though...
The livestock guardian group is just incredible overall, and I owe everything that I have to them. They are definitely not for everyone though. A large portion of the breeds maintain their tendencies for long distance travel despite the efforts of US trainers and breeders to alleviate this. Most of these breeds were created for either nomadic cultures or cultures who range their livestock over hundreds of miles. So even our 300 acres here feels limiting to our LGDs. Ranchers with smaller acreage have run into problems with the ability to keep their LGDs safely within their property lines. It is not uncommon for an LGD to have no more respect for an electrified fence than they have for fences that can be dug under or pulled apart.
Their instinct to protect what they consider theirs indiscriminately, leaving a big danger for people who might have nearby neighbors with small animals or other dogs. I have seen a pair of Anatolians tear apart a black bear, and a pair of Pyrs take down an entire wolf pack, so the neighbor's dog doesn't really stand a chance if it gets too close to the fence.
They are an ancient breed as a whole (whether or not you delineate them) and the Turks do participate in dog fighting, considering it to be part of their 'survival of the fittest' method of breeding. This is the reason for the assumption that they are a dog fighting breed, and I suppose as with any breed, they are subject to the type of people who want to take a breed and destroy it in this way. I'll leave out comment of what many AKC show breeders have done over time to formerly great working dogs...:scared2:
While I would never participate or condone dog fighting or letting the weakest of my litter die, I can't help but respect that the Turks have created some of the very best LGDs in the world. I love my Pyrs immensely, and they are the breed that I recommend for those who are new to LGDs, but my Pyrs can't hold a candle to my Anatolians in most respects.
Most LGDs also work in teams, where you will find that they take shifts, altering who is sleeping and who is on duty... who is with the flock and who is doing rounds. They are smart enough as well to know that when there is an attack, someone has to stay back with the flock while others take on the attackers. This is especially important in areas like mine where coyotes will outwit some dogs by taunting and drawing the dog away from the flock so that the remainder of the coyote pack can close in on the flock from behind. Teams are also important for us because of the type of predators that we have; mountain lions, bears, and bobcats. Having a team nearly ensures that I will not lose my dogs to a predator. Having only one equates to the understanding that at some point that dog is likely to be overcome by a stronger animal.
Thanks for posting this here!