Rare on the Farm

Welcome!

2010-12-01T10:14:00.001-05:00

Thank you for your interest in our little farm. We have lived here for thirty years! We have enjoyed many animals here but currently we are devoting our time to raising quality Shetland sheep, Bourbon Red turkeys, Silver Grey Dorkings and Iowa Blue chickens - all historic breeds!

Most importantly, our animals are protected by Kangal Dogs. Kangal Dogs are a traditional and very old livestock guardian from Turkey. We have owned LGDs (livestock guardian dogs) for nearly thirty years and we have experience with different breeds. We choose to breed and promote the Kangal Dog because we believe they combine the best traits we value in a livestock guardian. We invite you to learn more about them here.

Thinking of a Puppy?

2010-07-06T08:50:00.002-05:00

We get lots of phone calls and emails from folks interested in obtaining a wonderful Kangal Dog puppy for their family. Unfortunately we do not breed regularly and when we do we are looking for good homes where a Kangal Dog will be a full-time livestock guardian dog or family and farm companion dog. We have several guidelines that help us place dogs in good homes:

1. Good fencing. Kangal Dogs will not stay in your yard or property without it. And we mean really good fencing. Probably much taller and more robust that you can imagine.

2. Experience with large dogs. A Kangal Dog is not a good dog for a first-time dog owner. A Kangal Dog will very large when fully grown (110 to 140 pounds) and he will be a self-thinker not a dog who is eager to please and easily trained.

3. Space. A Kangal Dog is not really suited to urban or even suburban living. He needs lots of good solid exercise, he barks loudly and often, and he will become protective of his house and home. Yes, some folks in urban/suburban settings are great owners of happy Kangal Dogs but they are unusually dedicated to their dog's welfare and requirements.

There are several strong traits that the Kangal Dog possesses which also making owning a Kangal Dog a challenge:

1. They are livestock guardian dogs who were bred for centuries to live and work with their animals and shepherds in large unfenced spaces. They need the stimulation of work and they will think of of their territory as something much larger than a yard or even a few acres.

2. They protect against livestock threats through loud barking and intimidation. Especially at night. They are just doing their job not trying to irritate your neighbors, but if you have neighbors they may do just that.

3. They like to build dens against heat and cold. They will do this in your yard. If you are proud of your landscaping this is probably not the dog for you. They also need to chew, especially when they are young. Things they like to chew include small tree trunks and branches and anything you leave out. Decks, lawn furniture, toys . . .

4. They are not a traditional guardian dog breed. You cannot train them like one of these breeds. They operate instinctively to protect their stock when in their judgment they perceive a threat. They are not command-oriented dogs. They mature slowly and often are not serious about protecting their flock until they are two years of age or more. Until then, they are huge puppies who need some careful guidance in how to behave appropriately with livestock and people.

We like to talk to folks interested in Kangal Dogs but we would suggest that you can learn a great deal about this breed from the information at the website of the Kangal Dog Club of America. Especially two documents found there:

Is a Kangal Dog the Right Dog for Me?

Thinking of Buying a Kangal Dog?

Finally, I wrote Livestock Guardians to answer the multitude of questions people had about choosing and working with Kangal Dogs, among other livestock guardian dog breeds. Please take the time to carefully read and learn about these marvelous dogs.

Livestock Guardians

2009-03-19T16:56:00.002-05:00

I'm pleased to announce the publication of my latest book - Livestock Guardians:Using Dogs, Donkeys and Llamas to Protect Your Herd - by Storey Publishing.

The official book description:
The number of hobby farmers in the United States is steadily rising. At the same time, predators are increasing in number and range. These predators pose a serious threat to both farm animals and the financial well-being of the farmers who raise them. Fortunately, there's a solution that is low cost, nonviolent, and highly effective: livestock guardian animals.

Livestock Guardians, by Jan Dohner, is a comprehensive guide for farmers struggling to reduce predation of sheep, goats, and other livestock. Dohner, who has more than 26 years of experience with guardian animals, helps owners understand the keys to effective livestock protection: careful selection of the right guardian animal, proper guardian livestock bonding, dedicated training, and ongoing problem-solving.

Three chapters address the use of guardian dogs; collectively, these chapters explain how to evaluate, train, understand, and socialize these hardworking canines. A separate chapter provides detailed information on many guardian breeds from around the world. Additional chapters on livestock guardian donkeys and llamas help readers select and train these animals as well. The thorough coverage of livestock guardians includes health care information; breed profiles; case studies of real farmers effectively using guard animals; an appendix with resources, organizations, and Web sites; and a 16-page color photographic insert of guardian breeds.

Using Dohner's comprehensive, practical advice, farmers will be able to reduce predation, decrease the need for corralling be better aware of disturbances in flocks, effectively protect their family and property, and use pastures more efficiently.

History of the Kangal Dog

2007-02-19T15:32:00.000-05:00

Beyond Kayadibi the country dogs were the largest and most savage of any I had met. In build they were like Newfoundlands, but larger, with black head or muzzle, yellow body, and long curling tail. From nearly every flock that fed within a half-mile of the road a dog would presently detach itself and come lumbering across country to the attack.” (Childs, W.J. Across Asia Minor on Foot. London, 1917)

Childs was certainly not a dog-lover but he accurately described the native Kangal Dogs he met along the old Silk Road, outside of Sivas in Turkey. Sheepherding as been the way of life here for hundreds of years and references to “great yellow dogs with black faces” go back to the 14^th century. The principal predator is the wolf but other predators include feral dogs, mountain cats, foxes, jackals, and wild boar.

In Turkey, the Kangal Kopegi has been declared both the National Dog of Turkey and a National Treasure, celebrated at an annual Kangal Dog Festival, and regular Kangal Dog Symposiums. The Kangal Dog is conserved at various Turkish military and university facilities including two breeding centers in Sivas. It is technically illegal for non-nationals to export Kangals from the province. In addition, the United Nations has funded small grants for projects that demonstrate and encourage the use of Kangal Dogs in conservation efforts to protect wildlife.

Historically, the Kangal Dog has at times been referred to as Karabas or Karabash meaning black-head. The mtDNA samples of the Kangal Dog show that it is more genetically isolated than the Akbash and for a longer time. The two populations show little mixing, according to Dr Peter Savolainen.

In Turkey, the Kangal Dog works actively with shepherds, out with their flocks grazing by day and returning to the villages at night. In the villages, Kangal Dogs are expected to be gentle with children and tolerant of neighbors. They are not allowed to run free but are confined outside the home or with the sheep. They are fed barley mash, scraps, and bones. During the summers, flocks often make the journey to high summer pastures, far from roads and people. Two or three dogs accompany flocks of 200-300 sheep. Kangal Dogs are known for their fierce battles with predators, first intimidating them through barking, but they do, at times, pursue wolves when necessary. Puppies grow up in the village until they are old enough to accompany the older dogs and learn from both them and the shepherds.

Kangal Dogs

2007-02-19T12:44:00.000-05:00

The Kangal Dog is noted for his solid temperament. Temperament is of prime importance in Turkish villages today and in the past and aggression towards humans or stock is never tolerated. Kangal Dogs are gentle with livestock, children, and pets. Compared with other livestock guard dog breeds, Kangal Dogs tend to be more people-oriented and less standoffish. Females are noted for being more affectionate than males. They are often great judges of character and they will accept visitors or workmen at their home much more reliably than other livestock guard dog breeds. Owners describe them as gracious with visitors. People who own other livestock guard dog breeds and Kangal Dogs, describe their Kangals as the more intelligent and clever.

Kangal Dogs hear or sense disturbances in the distance and bark in response. They prefer to intimidate those who threaten their flock or family but they will attack animal intruders. At first, they will place themselves between the threat and their stock. If their warning barks are ignored, they will confront the predator with a roar and an attack if necessary. An adult Kangal will throw their shoulder against a wolf to knock it down and then attack the throat and hind legs. Kangal owners see these same behaviors in play. Kangal Dogs will reliably guard against small predators – raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, as well as birds.

Kangal Dogs grow up slowly, even compared to other livestock guard dog breeds. They can be goofy and adorable as puppies but they are also famous as powerful chewers and diggers. They will also roam large distances if given the opportunity. Around two or two-and-a-half years of age, Kangal Dogs suddenly leave their puppy hood behind and become more serious, protective, and watchful. Although many Kangals who are raised with stock from puppy hood are reliable at a young age, others need your patience until they mature. They often take a remote or high viewing spot to watch their stock although they will take regular patrols around their territory. Kangal Dogs tend to be calm and even placid during the day and more active at night, both patrolling and barking.

Kangal Dogs are territorial and they behave quite differently at home than when they are away from home. Like many livestock guard dogs, adult Kangal Dogs can be dog aggressive, especially to those dogs that violate their space or sense of self. They will kill small predators who invade the farm or pasture and this may include small pets who they do not know.

The Kangal Dog is a large breed with heavy bone, projecting a powerful image. In Turkey, he is described as lion-like. Kangal Dogs have been described as a natural Mastiff – without extreme head size, dewlaps, loose lips, head wrinkles, and large bulk. When alert, the tail is carried in a curl over the back, although it may be carried low at other times. The Kangal Dog remains a fast and agile dog, despite his height of 30 to 31 inches and weights of 110 to 145 pounds in males and slightly less for females. The natural variety in a landrace breed is evident in the range of in appearance from more to less mastiff in appearance. Females are often more feminine in their appearance.

All of these breed traits make the Kangal Dog well suited to life as a farm or family guardian in addition to a livestock guard dog. Indeed, in Turkey they are popular home guardians with people in the city where they guard yards and gardens and play affectionately with their family. Kangal Dogs also live in many family situations in North America, but as with all livestock guard dog breeds they require socialization and consistent training to be good canine citizens.

The Encyclopedia of Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds

2007-02-19T12:23:00.000-05:00

I have been fascinated with historic breeds for a long time. I joined the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy in 1985, and there I met many dedicated people who have devoted their lives to rare breed conservation. I was fortunate to serve as a delegate to the Third Global Conference on Domestic Animal Diversity, where I met conservationists from around the world. As a result, Yale University Press published The Encyclopedia of Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds.

The hardy, multipurpose Dominique chickens that came to the New World with the Pilgrims and later traveled in pioneer saddlebags to help settle the West were once too numerous to count; by 1990 a mere 500 hens survived. This is but a single example of the diminishing diversity of farm animals: half of once-common livestock breeds are endangered, others are already extinct. The need to preserve farm animal diversity is increasingly urgent. Farmyard animals may hold critical keys for our survival and with each extinction, genetic traits of potentially vital importance to our agricultural future or to medical progress are forever lost

• complete information on the history, characteristics, qualities, and traits of 138 endangered livestock breeds (goats, sheep, swine, cattle, horses, other equines) and 53 poultry breeds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese)

• where these breeds may be seen today

• the degree of rarity of each breed in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada

• information on feral livestock populations

• 160 color photographs and over 80 black and white photos and historical illustrations