The Aksaray Malaklısı or Malaklı Karabaş is a breed of large livestock guardian dog, from the Aksaray Province in central Anatolia, part of Turkey.[1][2][3] They are also known as the Turkish Mastiff or Anatolian Lion.[4]
| Aksaray Malaklisi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Other names | Malaklı Karabaş, Turkish Mastiff, Anatolian Lion, Turkish Shepherd Dog | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Turkey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The breed has become an increasingly popular livestock guardian dog across the world.[5] It is recognized by the Turkish Dog Federation.[6]
History
edit
The Aksaray Malaklısı is named for the Aksaray Province in Central Anatolia, where oral tradition reports it was brought by Sumerians 3,500 years ago.[4] The Aksaray Malaklısı Breed Improvement Association claims that the breed is one of the oldest in the world, with a 3,500 year history in Anatolia.[4] According to oral tradition, the Aksaray Malaklisi was used as a war dog by the Assyrians 2500 years ago.[4]
Genetic analysis has shown it to be a distinct breed from other Turkish livestock guardian dog breeds, including the Kangal, Akbash and Kars.[3][6]
The "malakli" part of the breed name is said to be due to their pendulous jowls.[2][3]
Characteristics
editAppearance
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The Aksaray Malaklısı usually stands between 70 and 85 centimetres (28 and 33 in) at the withers and weighs between 60 and 85 kilograms (132 and 187 lb),[6] with a body length of some 79 and 83 centimetres (31 and 33 in).[1] It is typically grey in colour with a black mask; the coat is short. The head and ears are large, the jowls are pendulous, and the tail is straight.[1][2][3]
Behavior
editThe dogs only obey commands from the master, and can be aggressive with other people. They typically do not tolerate working with other dogs of the same sex.[3]
Health
editTheir lifespan is 13–15 years.[3]
Use
editThe Aksaray Malaklısı is used in its homeland to protect flocks of sheep from predators, especially wolves. A pair of Aksaray Malaklısı, always a male and a female, can protect some 700-800 sheep.[3]
They have also gained worldwide popularity as home guard dogs.[7]
The Aksaray Malaklısı Breed Improvement Association (AKMID) has claimed the breed was used as a war dog by the Assyrians over 2500 years ago.[4]
References
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- ^ a b c Ograk, Yusuf Ziya; Öztürk, Nurşen; Akın, Dilara; Özcan, Mustafa (2018). "Comparison various body measurements of Aksaray Malakli and Kangal Dogs". Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences. 2 (3): 86–91. doi:10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.462546. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ a b c Büyükleblebici, Olga (2019). "Determination of Some Serum Biochemical Parameters of Aksaray Malakli Breed of Turkish Shepherd Dog". Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology. 7 (10): 1678–1681. doi:10.24925/turjaf.v7i10.1678-1681.2806. S2CID 204914784.
- ^ a b c d e f g Aslım, Gökhan; Sinmez, Çağrı Çağlar (2017). "Aksaray ili folklorunda Aksaray Malaklısı yetiştiriciliği" [Breeding Aksaray Malaklısı in folklore of Aksaray Province] (PDF). Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 33 (3): 148–157. doi:10.15312/EurasianJVetSci.2017.151. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Turkey's Aksaray Malaklısı used by Assyrians as war dog 2,500 years ago, breeders association says". Daily Sabah. 2019-08-04. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
- ^ "China's han sheep under protection of Turkish mastiffs". Daily Sabah. 2019-09-14. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
- ^ a b c "Malaklı". Turkish Dog Federation inc. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
- ^ "Turkey's Aksaray Malaklısı guard dog enjoys worldwide popularity". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2023-08-28.