As the expression goes, we have no dog in this fight, but we pass along things we think you should know, or that we think you’d find interesting, because we ardently believe that an informed dog owner is a better dog owner.
‘Ever hear of the “Boz” dog?
Proponents maintain that the Turkish Boz Shepherd (or Boz dog) developed as a regional variant of the Kars, Anadolu or, better known to most of us, the Akbash, and in particular, the Kangal. They insist that in no way is the Boz dog a mix, a designer breed, or a modern version of an aggressive fighting breed. The Turkish Boz has a website on which it points out some key differences between the Turkish Boz Shepherd and the Kangal “because the two regional variants are often confused and are closely related, yet separate breeds.”
On the Kangal Dog Club of America’s website, however, appears the following statement:
“The crossbreeding of Kangal Dogs with other types, including dogs such as the Turkish Mastiff, that were used as guard and fighting dogs and not as livestock guardian dogs, is an ongoing situation in Turkey and nothing new. But the commercializing of new breed labels such as “Boz dogs” and the export and subsequent breeding of these dogs outside of Turkey, in North America, is a recent and very concerning development – especially so when these dogs are misleadingly marketed as livestock guardians to the general public…” “…The issue around “Boz dogs” is also emblematic of much that threatens the preservation of the traditional Kangal Dog as a distinct breed.”
Further more, we recently received this note from the Turkish Kennel Club:
To Whom It May Concern;
Recently we have heard that it is claimed there is a Turkish Shepherd Dog breed called “Boz”. As KIF
(Turkish Kennel Club), we declare that there is not a breed called like that. KIF, as the only authority
(Turkish Kennel Club), we declare that there is not a breed called like that. KIF, as the only authority in Turkey as to dogs, recognizes Turkish Shepherd Dog Kangal, Akbash, Aksaray Malaklısı (Turkish Mastiff). Please visit www.kif.org.tr or write at info@kif.org.tr to get more information on the subject.
Part of being an educated dog owner is to know what you don’t know. Anyone considering a “Boz” dog should get fully informed before acting.
Photo by Gloria Schrader of Kangal dog owned by Stuart and Bob Richens of Banks Mountain Farm
To fully understand the motivation for the KDCA to bash the Turkish Boz, all you have to do is look at their history. Since their formation, they have bashed the Anatolian dog as well as others.
They make statements as fact that lack actual truth and perpetuate a false claim of “the big aggressive fighting dogs”, while choosing to ignore that the Kangals are also exploited for such and that one of their key Turkish Kangal breeders previously fought his Kangals against Boz.
To get to know the Boz through many owners, please join the Facebook group Turkish Boz Shepherds. As many owners of Kangals now have Boz, and they ALL describe them as having a less reactive temperament, less dog aggression and are much more natural to accept people.
There is much politics in the dog world and a common practice for people to attack anything that comes along that is new and perceived as being a threat.
Thanks for sharing another point of view, Brian! We encourage readers to fully investigate all sources before committing to a new breed!
I have researched pretty extensively the distinction between the Boz and other Kangal dogs and Brian is extreamly legitamate in his intensive breeding program of the Boz shepherd.
Thanks for the input, Ken. Our interest here isn’t to take sides, but to present enough information for readers to come to their own conclusions. Your comment is appreciated.
I have yet to discover anything that even remotely suggests that the Boz is overly aggressive (especially when compared against the Kangal). It took me almost 3 hours of searching the Internet to even find an example of any Boz displaying patently non-LGD behaviors and, as it turns out, the dogs in question were being raised indoors and weren’t socialized nearly at all… which explains, we’ll, everything.
Conversely, it takes about 30 seconds on any search engine to find Kangal fighting bait dogs to the death. While isn’t to say people haven’t or don’t use Boz for fighting, just pointing out that you can’t really expect impartial opinions from the organization that has a vested interest in maintaining that their breed, the Kangal, is the only legitimate Turkish LGD.
Your opinion is welcomed, Spencer, thanks for sharing it!
To Whom It May Concern;
Recently we have heard that it is claimed there is a Turkish Shepherd Dog breed called “Boz”. As KIF
(Turkish Kennel Club), we declare that there is not a breed called like that. KIF, as the only authority
(Turkish Kennel Club), we declare that there is not a breed called like that. KIF, as the only authority in Turkey as to dogs, recognizes Turkish Shepherd Dog Kangal, Akbash, Aksaray Malaklısı (Turkish Mastiff). Please visit http://www.kif.org.tr or write at info@kif.org.tr to get more information on the subject.
Thank you, Luis. We’re incorporating your comment into the post as it’s good information for readers to have. We appreciate you writing to us!
Dear friends,My name is Akın Tülübaş.I m president of national breeds of ALIANZ EURASIA .We are working with all big and true breeders in our country.Kıf is nothing, our people not accept this club or FCI.
http://wadturkey.com/
this is official kennel club of Turkey.
kıf is nothing in our country.
http://www.avkif.org.tr is our federation web site.
please respect .
Akın, thank you for writing and sharing the links. We leave this debate to the owners and breeders of these dogs, but are happy to provide information in the interest of a fuller picture that helps readers come to their own determination. Again, thank you!
Dear Friends,This is not Discussion. We want Fix this Wrong information.
if you so desire, we can send you our dogs informations in English.
http://www.avkif.org.tr/ust-kimlik-turk-coban-kopegi-kangal-akbas-boz-malakli-karadeniz-coban-kopegi/
please check this Link.
http://www.avkif.org.tr/turk-coban-kopeklerimiz-dunya-vitrinine-cikiyor/
We are working about our breeds and our cultures.
please check Link
http://alianzeurasia.org/2017/10/12/alianz-canine-worldwide-of-turkey-17-09-2017-bursa-cacib/
I have Calvin a 2 year old Boz from Brian and Clarabelle 18 months old from Brian. I have had tosa’s , mastiffs and filas. I love unusual dogs. These dogs are unbelievable. They are socialized perfectly but still get up at 5:30 and run for 2 to 3 hours. We take them to work and they run for several hours in the yard then we take them home to run for several hours to play [ 7 acres] They sleep in the bedroom with us and are overly affectionate and friendly. They are capable of running 30 miles an hour and Calvin is 225 pounds. I have never had dogs this amazing- thanks Brian!
I am reaching out to Brian and Akin as we speak. After much research and trying to find the perfect balance between children and working… I found my pup. Amazing!
At 3 months old (and 50lbs) I could already leave my beautiful Brindle Boz Shepherd puppy in the yard with our Flemish Giant Rabbits. We have twin boys about to turn 2 at our house and our Boz puts up with them constantly climbing on and generally pestering her without incident! Our Tibetan Mastiff couldn’t be trusted around the chickens or rabbits until nearly 2 years old. Our Boz has phenomenal energy, instincts, and behavior around other people and dogs. We bought her from a breeder who previously did Kangals and found the Boz to be superior in every regard and especially for families with children. Look on YouTube and you’ll find a photo montage of Boz killing wolves and cuddling their human children even allowing themselves to be ridden on. We couldn’t be happier with our Boz bitch Ginger 😁
Thanks for the insights, Greg, there is no substitute for hearing from an actual owner sharing their experience!
On the Boz verses the Anatolian/kengal, the temperament may be the single biggest advantage.
After several bad experiences with aggression in Anatolian/kengals here in Texas I had decided to avoid the breed altogether. My neighbor breeds Championship Anatolians and myself, my vet and the feed store people all will not willingly enter his property-even with him standing right there, as the dogs are so assertive and dominating. He also cant have same sex intact animals together without them trying to kill each other. I also had an adopted anatolian bit my son over food aggression. I went with a pyr and an antolian/pyr/sighthound mixbreed as my two LGDs. The Pyr coat is nightmarish but the temperament is golden and the mix was sweet as well. A lot of folks here try and use the pyr/anatolian cross, but the temperament can be very hit or miss and you can still have too much aggression.
When It came time to bring in a new puppy to begin backfilling the oldest LGD, A friend who breeds Boz dogs suggested I consider the Boz dogs. I arrived at her home and my first thought was “These are like bigger, longer legged, rangier, faster, looser faced, heavier boned Anatolians” and I was honestly dismayed. I did NOT want the aggression issues. Then I watched them go from watchful and shy, upon her ok, become submissive and affectionate towards me, who was a total stranger, seeking belly rubs and placing their huge heads in my hands. She had three intact adult animals, one with a litter of puppies, all playing together in her yard with no signs of dog aggression or human aggression towards me, a stranger interacting with the puppies. It was pretty astounding and totally unlike the typical anatolian/kengal disposition. I took home a pair of the pups and they have very submissive, sweet behaviors-yet at only 11 weeks are sounding off in predator guarding mode when the older LGDs sound off and wanting to watch over the other animals. They do what her dogs do-look at me to get clarity, then act. They show extremely low prey drive. I think the Boz may actually be the perfect combination of size and strength with good guarding instincts towards predators, an easy to care for coat, yet soft, gentle laid back temperament without the dog or human aggression seen in the Kengal/anatolians to make it a perfect LGD for small to medium size homesteads where visitors are frequent or agro-tourism is desired-as you CANT have your dogs biting people. There is a lot of money in play with the Turkish dogs and a lot of mudslinging, so I cant speak to the truth of the origin of the Turkish dogs, but my hypothesis is that the founding animals used for Boz imports to America are being selected for that combination of soft temperament towards people with good LGD instincts towards predators.
A great comment, Tina, as it comes from experience. This is helpful to others who may be considering the breed for themselves. You don’t mention what your Boz is watching over, do you think it makes any difference?