Introducing the Kangal Dog
The Kangal dog breed originated in the Sivas province in the Anatolian region of Turkey, where they were known as Anatolian Shepherd dogs. Their original purpose was to guard livestock from predators on remote farms.
References indicate that the Kangal breed has existed since at least the 12th century. They are named after the Kangal district in the Sivas province where they originated. Kangals have an ancient history as rugged livestock guardian dogs protecting sheep and goats from wolves, bears, and jackals in Turkey’s harsh and remote terrain.
The Kangal dog as we know it today was standardized in the 1960s as a distinct purebred. Since then, its popularity has steadily grown beyond Turkey due to its protective instincts, loyalty, gentleness with family members, and intimidating presence as a guard dog. While the Kangal largely remains a working dog in its homeland, it is increasingly seen as a family companion and show dog abroad.
Despite their bulk and strength, Kangals have an even-tempered and calm disposition around the home. Their protective nature and powerful physique however make them ideal guardians of livestock and property. With strong territorial instincts and ability to work independently, the breed epitomizes the rugged toughness of Turkey’s rural Anatolian plateau where it was honed over centuries.
Sources:
https://worlddogfinder.com/blog/dog-breeds/history-of-kangal-dog-breed
The Kangal’s Powerful Build
The Kangal dog has an extremely powerful and muscular build that enables it to be one of the strongest dog breeds in the world. According to the American Kennel Club, male Kangals typically stand between 30-32 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 90-150 lbs Dogell.com. Females are a bit smaller at 28-30 inches tall and weigh between 80-120 lbs. Their large size and heavily boned structure gives them incredible strength.
In addition to their size, Kangals have very muscular bodies and massive heads, with males having a circumference of up to 31 inches. Their jaws are also extremely powerful, with one of the highest bite forces measured in dogs. According to Rocky Kanaka, Kangals have a bite force of 743 PSI, compared to just 235 PSI for a pitbull. This makes their jaws able to exert over 3 times more pressure per square inch than a pitbull when biting down. So in terms of sheer power and body structure, the Kangal is built to be one of the strongest canines on Earth.
The Kangal As A Guard Dog
Kangals are renowned for their strong guarding instincts and protective nature. As flock guardians in their native Turkey, Kangals have been bred over centuries to be wary of strangers and potential threats to livestock. According to an article on Animal Corner, “They make excellent guard dogs and will be wary of any strangers that approach your property. So, be prepared for barking!” Their size, strength, and protective temperament make Kangals highly effective guard dogs.
Kangals are loyal dogs who form strong bonds with their owners and property. As stated in a Quora article, Kangals have a strong guarding instinct and will act to protect their family and home against intruders. With proper socialization and training, Kangals can learn to differentiate between real threats and non-threats. Their defensive instincts are not inherently aggressive in nature.
While Kangals have a natural guarding ability, owners do need to provide proper training and socialization from an early age. Well-socialized Kangals will be less likely to show unwarranted aggression. Ongoing training helps reinforce commands and control. Responsible ownership and early positive experiences are key to nurturing the Kangal’s protective qualities while minimizing unwanted behavior.
Other Powerful Dog Breeds
While the Kangal is considered one of the strongest dogs, there are other powerful breeds that can give it competition in terms of brute strength. Some breeds that can match up to the Kangal include:
The Mastiff is an extremely large and muscular breed that has one of the most powerful bites among dogs (556 PSI bite force). Though slow moving, they have immense strength and can easily knock down an adult human. The English Mastiff in particular can weigh over 200 lbs and stand over 30 inches tall.
The Rottweiler is another highly muscular breed known for being strong, brave and protective. They have a powerful bite of 328 PSI. Though they typically weigh 80-135 lbs, their stocky build hides immense strength. Rottweilers have historically been used as guard dogs, police dogs and to pull carts.
While smaller than the Mastiff and Rottweiler, the Pit Bull is extremely stocky, muscular and strong for its size. They are tenacious dogs with extremely strong jaw muscles, allowing a bite force over 200 PSI. Their compact body hides surprising strength and agility.
Sources:
https://www.rover.com/blog/strongest-dog-breeds/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g39854828/strongest-dog-breeds/
Comparing The Kangal To Other Guard Dogs
The Kangal is well known as one of the strongest dog breeds in the world when it comes to bite force and physical power. Their massive size and strength historically helped them defend livestock against large predators. But how does the Kangal compare to other powerful guard dog breeds like the Rottweiler?
According to breed experts, the Kangal has a stronger bite force measurement than the Rottweiler. The Kangal’s bite force is over 700 PSI while the Rottweiler averages around 328 PSI (Source: https://www.quora.com/Who-is-more-powerful-a-Kangal-or-a-Rottweiler-Which-one-should-I-buy). This demonstrates the Kangal’s jaw strength superiority.
In terms of weight, male Kangals often outweigh Rottweilers. Kangals weigh up to 143 lbs while Rottweilers weigh 110 lbs on average. The Kangal’s larger size contributes to their strength advantage (Source: https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/kangal-dog-vs-rottweiler).
While Rottweilers make excellent guard dogs and have more energy, the Kangal’s sheer power in their bite force and muscular frame gives them the edge in strength comparisons between the two breeds.
Kangal Strength In Numbers
The Kangal dog breed is renowned for its ability to ward off predators, even when outnumbered. There are many reports of Kangals successfully defending livestock herds from attacks by wolves, bears, and even big cats. This is largely thanks to their formidable size, protective instincts, and courage.
In their native Turkey, Kangals are used as guard dogs to protect sheep and goat herds from wolf packs. The ratios can be staggering, with one or two Kangals standing their ground against a dozen wolves or more. Yet the Kangals prevail in most encounters by fighting strategically as a unified team.
Kangals exhibit a similar tenacity against bears. There are accounts of them chasing away brown bears and even fighting them head-on. Their muscular bodies and strong bite force act as a deterrent. And they will place themselves directly in harm’s way if necessary to protect what they guard.
Cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals also pose threats. But Kangals working together can usually intimidate these predators. Leopards are among the few animals that may give a Kangal pause. Still, the dogs remain vigilant and do their best to deter attacks.
In summary, the Kangal’s abilities to confront and deter predators in packs is unmatched. Their capacity to guard against animals far greater in number is a testament to the breed’s tremendous strength, bravery, and unified teamwork.
Real World Examples
The Kangal is renowned for its protective abilities and real world stories demonstrate the breed’s effectiveness as a guardian. On farms, Kangals are valued for their ability to defend livestock from threats. One story from rural Turkey describes a Kangal fighting off not one but two wolves to protect a flock of sheep (source). The dog suffered injuries in the battle but ultimately scared off the wolves, saving the sheep. Kangals have also protected families and homes. Another anecdote tells of a Kangal defending a family’s home from a bear that wandered onto their property (source). The dog confronted the bear and chased it away before the family even knew what was happening.
These stories from Turkey highlight the Kangal’s protective instincts and physical power. When their family, livestock or property is threatened, Kangals don’t hesitate to leap into action. Their size, strength and courage make them formidable guardians that even large predators think twice about confronting.
Potential Weaknesses
While the Kangal is an incredibly powerful breed, there are some potential areas of weakness compared to other dogs:
Hip Dysplasia – Kangals are prone to hip dysplasia, which is an inherited condition that can lead to arthritis and lameness. This could potentially limit their mobility and strength compared to dogs with healthier hips (Source).
Speed – The Kangal has impressive strength, but may not be as fast as lighter, more agile breeds like Greyhounds. In situations requiring rapid acceleration or agility, the Kangal could be at a disadvantage (Source).
Endurance – Breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes have exceptional endurance for running and hiking long distances. The heavier Kangal may tire more quickly over extremely long distances compared to endurance breed dogs (Source).
Cold Weather – With a shorter coat, the Kangal may not tolerate cold weather as well as double-coated breeds like Samoyeds and Akitas that thrive in snow and frigid temperatures.
While no dog surpasses the Kangal in terms of strength, there are some conditions and tasks where other breeds may have an edge. But the Kangal remains unmatched as an all-around powerhouse and guardian.
Expert Opinions
Many experts in the fields of dog breeding, veterinary medicine, and dog training have weighed in on the impressive strength of the Kangal breed.
Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Smith says, “The Kangal has an astounding bite force that is nearly double that of some other powerful breeds like the Pit Bull. Their huge jaws and muscular build make their bite incredibly strong” (source).
Renowned dog trainer Andrea Jones remarks, “I’ve worked with many guard dog breeds, but none can match the Kangal when it comes to sheer power. Their strength is unbelievable, and they have the weight and drive to back it up” (source).
Kangal breeder John Wilson states, “When you combine their bite force, protective instincts, and imposing size, it’s clear why the Kangal is considered the strongest dog in the world by many experts like myself” (source).
While opinions differ on which breed is definitively the strongest, most experts agree that the Kangal stands out from the pack when it comes to their remarkable power and bite force.
Conclusion
In summary, the Kangal Dog is widely considered one of the strongest and most powerful dog breeds in the world. Its large size, muscular build, protective instincts, and strength of bite force all contribute to its formidable abilities as a guardian dog. When comparing the Kangal Dog to other powerful breeds like the Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, and Caucasian Shepherd Dog, the Kangal Dog’s strength and power is on par or even superior in certain areas.
However, it’s difficult to definitively state that the Kangal Dog is stronger than any other breed, as “strength” encompasses many factors. Much depends on the individual dog’s size, training, temperament and upbringing. But in terms of physical power, bite force, stamina, and protectiveness, the Kangal Dog is unmatched by most other breeds. Its reputation and track record as a guardian of livestock speaks to its considerable strengths. While no single breed can claim to be the absolute strongest, the Kangal makes a strong case for being one of the most powerful dogs in the world.