The Aksaray Malaklisi is a large dog that originated in Turkey, in the province of Aksaray. For years, this dog has been known as a livestock guardian.
Many people mix this dog with the famous Kangal Shepherd dog, also called the Karabash and, it is believed the two breeds have a common ancestor. However, they are quite different and we will see why shortly.
What is special about this dog? Is this large dog breed as intimidating as it looks? What is its temperament like?
You will find answers to these questions and many more if you continue reading. Today we will learn a little bit more about the appearance and temperament of this dog as well as some interesting facts about this dog breed’s history.
Furthermore, you will find out what the grooming, exercising, and training needs of this dog are.
So, let’s move on to the most interesting Aksaray Malaklisi dog breed facts.
Basic Aksaray Malaklisi Dog Breed Facts
This is one of those dogs whose size takes your breath away. You know those pictures from the internet where the dog is standing next to its owner and you can’t believe the size it has reached?
Well, it is possible you have seen the Aksaray in particular!
I am sure everybody is aware of the rich history, famous art pieces and wonderful archeology of Turkey. Millions of tourists visit
Istanbul and other popular places in this country every year. But, are you familiar with famous dogs that come from Turkey?
Besides the Kangal dog, which is the most famous and comes from the Sivas province, there are other Turkish Shepherd dogs, such as the Akbash dog, the Anatolian Shepherd dog, the Anatolian Sultan dog and our dog of the day – the Aksaray Malaklisi.
1. Fact: This Dog Was Bred To Guard Livestock
This Turkish dog got its name from the city of Aksaray, located in the Anatolia region.
It is believed that the first dog of this breed was bred in the times of the Sumerians and the Hittites. So, we are talking about a dog with a long history. As long as the Anatolia civilization has existed, this dog has been a part of it.
Many people call these dogs Lions from Anatolia.
This dog was bred to guard livestock and human property. They were always good at this task, since they have strong protective instincts. Other than being guard dogs, they were also used as war dogs in the past.
2. Fact: This Is One Intelligent, Strong, And Hardworking Dog
Considering its big size, you might think that Aksaray is a lazy dog breed that does not move around a lot. Completely wrong! This dog has a high energy level and needs a lot of physical exercise. This Turkish dog is very strong and agile.
Let’s look at some other temperament traits of this breed of dog.
Needs Its Space
Aksaray Malaklisi is a dog that is for sure not meant to live in an apartment. Even a house with a yard might not be enough for this shepherd dog.
They need their farm and to work a lot to feel happy and healthy. So, an ideal environment for this dog is a large area with flocks of sheep for them to take care of.
This dog cannot be described as a low maintenance dog for first time owners; they need an experienced dog trainer who is skilled in putting boundaries in place. If you don’t show dominance to this dog, they will show it to you instead!
Extraordinary Guardian Dog
How good is an Aksaray as a livestock guardian and protection dog? I believe we can give you the answer with one single statement: this dog is capable of supervising 800 sheep alone.
Imagine how much work that is! Well, the Aksaray is such a good guardian that every sheep in the flock is protected from predators. When looking for a guard dog, this dog is probably the best choice any farmer could imagine.
Fearless
This dog is a wonderful shepherd dog. Farmers in Anatolia have found the greatest help from this big dog. they are very brave and not afraid to face any enemy.
In order to protect their territory and herd, the Aksaray forces wolves to retreat without having won their prey.
Reading that this dog can successfully face a wolf makes you think this dog is quite intimidating. Does this mean that it is an aggressive dog breed?
It is difficult to just label one dog as an aggressive one, but you should know a couple of things about the Aksaray Malaklisi.
This dog is a perfect guard dog which means they don’t like strangers. They do not trust people they do not know, and there is a high chance that they will act hostile toward them.
Also, this dog was unfortunately used for dog fighting in the past. So, one thing is sure – you should be careful around this large dog.
Loyal And Devoted
Although they are not a fan of strangers, the Aksaray Malaklisi adores its owner. They will be loyal to them until their last breath and is ready to do whatever it takes to protect their loved owner.
If they do not sense any threat, this dog will be friendly and gentle around his human family.
Intelligent And Hardworking
This dog is very hardworking and intelligent. If they did something they shouldn’t have done and the owner let them know, this dog will bow their head and look like they’re really sorry for being disobedient.
They will behave like this until the owner approaches them and lets them know that they have forgiven them.
They are endlessly devoted to their task of guarding their herd, so – with this cattle dog breed – any farm and herd farm will be completely safe.
Might Be Aggressive Toward Other Dogs
Aksaray Malaklisi is not a dog that works well with other dogs, especially with dogs of the same sex. This dog loves its space and is not willing to share it with others.
If another dog is near them, there is a high possibility that the Aksaray Malaklisi will show their dominance with aggressive outbursts, such as biting the neck of other dogs.
So, this dog is at its best when guarding its flock by itself and when other dogs do not occupy its territory.
Every dog needs proper socialization and training, but this is especially necessary with Aksaray Malakli dogs.
It would not be a bad thing to read our advice on how to socialize an aggressive dog. Here you can find some behaviors that can be related to Aksaray Malakli dogs!
3. Fact: Looks Like A Mastiff Or A Kangal
Aksaray Malaklisi has an appearance similar to English Mastiff dogs or Kangal dogs. Some people call this dog the Turkish Mastiff or the Aksaray Karabaş.
Its head is enormous and robust and its ears are dropped. Its eyes are round and set very close to each other. The nose is black.
The legs of this dog are quite thick. Its paws are also incredibly huge. Its lips are somewhat loose, and this is why this dog name contains the word Malak, which can be translated as loose lips or loose cheek.
Coat Characteristics
The coat of this working dog is dense and short. This double coat is a great tool for them to survive harsh climates.
Standard coat colors are white, yellow, brown, gray, and cream and they can also have spots on the fur or a black mask.
How Big Does The Aksaray Malaklisi Dog Get?
You probably thought that the Kangal is the biggest dog from Turkey. Well, the Aksaray Malakli is actually bigger than the Kangal!
The height range of this dog from the Province of Aksaray is from 27 to 31 inches at the withers.
What Is The Weight Of An Aksaray Malaklisi?
The average weight of Aksaray Malakli dogs is between 110 and 260 pounds.
Is there a difference between the size of male and female Aksaray Malaklisi? Well, females are usually smaller than males and
don’t usually weigh more than 175 pounds.
4. Fact: This Dog Is Not Recognized By The AKC
Although this dog is one of the oldest breeds, is a separate breed with a long history, and has become known as an extremely hardworking dog, it is still not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Other major dog clubs have also not yet recognized the Aksaray Malakli dogs, so there are no official breed standards available.
As it becomes more popular and people around the world see its value, hopefully this will change in the near future.
5. Fact: This Is Not A Dog For Families With Small Children
Since this dog is a protective dog, it will also behave protectively towards children. So, how could it not be recommended for families with younger children?
The truth is that these dogs love children and will do anything to protect them. But just imagine this huge dog playing with children.
If you look away for just a moment, it is possible that the dog has already accidentally knocked the child to the floor.
Even without bad intentions, children are very likely to get hurt during the most casual play session with this big dog. Therefore, we would recommend them only to people without children or whose children are already a little older.
Health Issues
All dogs are exposed to certain diseases that there is a possibility they will fall ill from once in their lifetime. However, Aksaray is a very healthy dog that does not suffer from many diseases.
However, diseases that can occur with these dogs are hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a very common orthopedic disease in many dogs. Large dogs, medium-sized purebred dogs, and various mixed dog breeds can all suffer from it. Many cats also suffer from this disease.
This disease refers to an anomaly in the structure of the dog’s hips. This happens when the bony part of the hips is not sufficiently strengthened by supporting structures such as tendons, muscles, and ligaments.
This medical condition makes it difficult for the dog to move, causes severe pain and means the dog lies down most of the time.
If your otherwise healthy dog suddenly refuses to go for a walk, doesn’t enjoy running and looks like they just want to rest, it would be a good idea to have their hips examined by a veterinarian.
The presence of hip dysplasia is determined by X-ray examination and orthopedic diagnosis.
Detecting the disease at an early stage is always good. Therefore, every dog should go for an orthopedic examination while still in the development phase, preferably between 5 and 8 months of age.
In the case of this medical condition, treatment is possible with anti-inflammatory analgesics.
According to the veterinarian’s recommendation, changing the dog’s diet and introducing certain physical therapy will probably be necessary. In more severe cases, the veterinarian will prescribe surgical treatment.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is also quite a common disease in dogs.
This medical condition involves uneven and irregular development of the bone segments that make up the basic parts of the elbow joint.
Dogs suffering from this health problem experience severe pain and degenerative changes in the articular cartilage.
The disease is visible in the irregular movement of the elbows, as well as in the limping of the front legs.
Elbow dysplasia can occur in overweight dogs, as well as in dogs that have experienced numerous falls. Also, this disease occurs in dogs that have grown too fast, so their bones have grown too fast also.
Medium and large dogs are most prone to elbow dysplasia.
This form of dysplasia is also treated with anti-inflammatory analgesics and physical therapy. In some cases, however, surgery will be required.
What Is The Aksaray Malaklisi Lifespan?
Larger dogs usually live a slightly shorter life than smaller dogs. However, this is not the case with the Aksaray! These dogs can live 12 to 16 years. So, if their health serves them, this dog could guard you and your property for many years!
Of course, life expectancy varies from dog to dog and average longevity is not a guarantee that every dog will live to a certain age. It is up to every dog owner to take care of regular visits to the vet and to provide their dog with quality living conditions.
Aksaray Karabaş Dog Care
What dog care includes in general?
Well, this term is quite broad and refers to ensuring quality living conditions for the dog, regular visits to the veterinarian, and the dog owner’s general concern for the well-being of their pet.
So, let’s look at what grooming, exercise, training, and nutrition care for Aksaray Malakli dogs should look like.
Grooming
In terms of grooming, this dog is not needy. Their short fur should be brushed once a week to avoid tangles and to make sure this dog is free of parasites.
This dog is not a heavy shedder like the Great Pyrenees, for example. However, Aksaray Malakli dogs are seasonal shedders, so you will have to brush this dog more often during a couple of periods a year.
It is not necessary for these dogs to be bathed often. Let’s look for a moment at some other breeds. For example, Yorkshire Terriers should be bathed every three or four weeks.
On the other hand, it is enough to bathe Aksaray Malaklisi only two or three times a year!
Still, there are some basic hygiene needs when it comes to these large dogs.
Their teeth should be brushed at least once or twice a week, and don’t forget to take a look at their nails from time to time to check whether they need to be trimmed.
Furthermore, these dogs’ ears should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections.
Exercise
Aksaray Malakli require a lot of exercise. This means they need to be outside, doing something, all the time! Physical exercise is very important for these dogs to stay in shape and stay healthy.
Also, they should not be allowed to become bored or they will show destructive behavior.
So, Aksaray Malakli dogs should be left out to have their own space and be able to exercise as much as they like. They enjoy activities such as jogging, catching frisbees or playing fetch.
An additional advantage of owning such a dog is that, together with your dog, you will also be physically active. A great trick for all those who have a hard time forcing themselves to exercise!
Besides physical exercise, these dogs also require mental stimulation. The best way to keep their minds busy is by using different puzzle games and by teaching them various commands and tricks.
Training
These dogs should be trained and socialized from an early age. This is the only way to have an obedient dog and to prevent unwanted behaviors.
Besides, training will help your dog become obedient and will be a great way for you and your pet to become best friends.
A confident and experienced trainer is necessary for dogs such as the Aksaray Malaklisi as they might be stubborn and refuse to cooperate at the beginning.
You will need to be creative to think of some ways to keep your dog interested and focused.
These dogs will try to be dominant toward animals and humans and make their own way in everything. Therefore, the first thing you need to teach this stubborn dog is what they are allowed to do, and what is absolutely unacceptable.
Since they are always suspicious of strangers, it is necessary to introduce them to various people, places, and things from an early age.
While they will still not love strangers, they will at least get used to the fact that their property will be visited by guests from time to time. This way, you will have a socialized dog, at least to some extent.
Nutrition Requirements
As you can imagine, dogs of this size need quality nutrition. Imagine all the work Aksaray Malakli dogs do in just one day! They need fuel to give them enough energy for their everyday activities.
Besides quality dog food, Aksaray Malakli dogs can also be fed with food such as milk, barley flour, and chicken bones.
Aksaray Malakli dogs need around 3 cups of adult dog food on a daily basis. The ones that are even bigger than the average need 4 cups of food daily.
If you have any doubts regarding food requirements for dogs, the best thing to do is to consult a veterinarian.
One thing we can advise you right now: with dogs like these, it is necessary to know when to stop feeding your dog, even if it looks like They are always hungry. Obesity can be very dangerous and can impair the dog’s quality of life.
Aksaray Karabaş Puppies For Sale
Photo from: @4colorsmastino
If you liked our description of the Aksaray Malaklisi, you are surely wondering where you can find this dog. Is there a breeder of this dog breed in your immediate vicinity? Are these dogs easy to find?
Unfortunately, we will have to disappoint you. Aksaray Malaklisi dogs are quite rare and can mostly be found in their native country. However, the popularity of these dogs has increased significantly over the last few years.
A large number of people recognized the value of these guard dogs, which is why they are exported from their native country.
Due to this, today it is possible to find them in other countries, such as Germany, Russia, and Great Britain.
If you find this dog from Turkey interesting, we would advise you to take a look at our list of Anatolian Shepherd dog breeders.
You will not go wrong with these shepherd dogs, either!
How Much Is A Aksaray Malaklisi?
The average price for male Aksaray Malaklisi dogs is around $300. Female puppies are slightly cheaper and their average price is around $250.
Although puppies are usually more expensive than adult dogs, this is not the case with this Turkish dog. An adult dog of this breed with exceptional traits can cost up to $4,000!
The reason for this high price is that an adult dog is already trained and ready to work as a guardian dog.
A Word On Other Turkish Dogs
As we already mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are some other dogs from Turkey that also might be interesting to you.
So, we will also provide some basic info on other popular dogs from this country. The two that are the most popular and, we believe, worthy of your attention are the following:
• The Kangal Dog
• The Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Kangal Dog
The Kangal Dog is another working dog who has been famous as a guardian dog for many years. This dog is not only very protective and strong but also makes a wonderful companion to humans.
It is believed that this dog was so strong that it used to chase off intruders that are even bigger than them, including bears!
One thing the Kangal and the Aksaray have in common is their strong protective instinct.
However, the Kangal is known for being gentler to humans, especially children. This still does not mean that this dog should be left alone with small children. They can also be a very stubborn dog who loves to be in charge.
This dog is perfect for farms and houses with big yards. They are not suited for living in a small apartment. They do not like to be around other dogs and to be the boss of their own space.
They need lots of daily exercise and love to spend time outdoors, running, or playing.
Some of the health problems related to this dog breed are different types of tumors, entropion, and hip dysplasia.
This dog should be easier to find in the United States than the Aksaray.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog
According to some opinions (and even some kennel clubs), the Kangal Dog and the Anatolian Shepherd dog are actually the same dog. They are indeed two very similar guard dogs.
The Anatolian Shepherd is considered to be one of the tallest dogs in the world, with their height going up to 31 inches.
This is one impressive dog, bred to be an extraordinary livestock guardian. What about this dog around people? How does he behave?
Similar to the other two dogs we mentioned earlier, this dog can also be pretty stubborn and strong-willed, so it is not a good option for novice dog owners.
On the other hand, if properly trained and socialized, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog can be the best company for families.
All the hard work really pays off with this big dog since you will be getting the best watchdog and guard dog for your family and your property!
This dog is friendly with its human family, but it is ready to show its intimidating part when it is necessary.
It might be independent, especially when it comes to training, but at the same time, this dog is highly intelligent and capable of learning many tricks. Positive reinforcement is a very helpful tool with training.
It is very important to train the Anatolian Shepherd while it is still a puppy. Simply, they might become overprotective, so needs to learn the difference between a threat and harmless situations on time.
Big dog means big needs, so – with a dog of this kind – you should be ready for a lot of exercise, large amounts of food, and a lot of space for this dog to spend its tremendous energy.
If you find this dog interesting, we also suggest you take a look at some of the amazing Anatolian Shepherd mixes!
Conclusion
Hopefully, some of the Aksaray Malaklisi Dog breed facts we introduced to you today have helped you gain an insight into this magnificent dog.
So, what can we conclude about this canine?
This dog is one of the top protective dogs that will defend its territory and its herd to the last breath. They are very fast, agile, and intelligent. As much as they are suspicious of strangers, they are so loyal to their owner.
With this dog on your property, no intruder will be able to gain access.
Therefore, this dog is ideal for people looking for a guard dog. However, the negative side is that you will not find breeders of this dog so easily.
Still, its popularity is on the rise and we believe that in the coming years this dog will become available in many countries.
What does need to be mentioned is that this dog is not recommended for first time dog owners.
They still require a lot of care and sacrifice; therefore, the ideal owner for them is an experienced and persistent one.
Also, owning this dog is not recommended for families with small children, as they need early socialization and training to get the best out of this huge dog.
We hope that based on these facts, you can make a final judgment about whether this dog is ideal for you, or whether a smaller, tamer dog would be more suitable.
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