Kars Dog Breed Overview and Information

The Kars dog is a rare and ancient breed with a rich history. They originated in the Middle East and were used for guarding and herding.

These dogs are known for their distinctive appearance, with a thick, coarse coat that comes in a variety of colors. They are a medium-sized breed, with males weighing between 70-90 pounds.

The Kars dog is an intelligent and loyal breed, but they can be wary of strangers and may require time to warm up to new people. They are generally good with children, but as with any breed, early socialization is key.

Their short, broad head and almond-shaped eyes give them a unique and alert expression.

Additional reading: Brown Mountain Feist Dog

The Kars Dog has a rich history, with its origins dating back to the Kars province in North-Eastern Turkey. It's named after this region, where it's most common.

This breed is believed by many Turks to be the ancestor of European mountain breeds. Its ancestry is closely tied to the ancient Gampr and the Sarplaninac, as well as other breeds like the Azerbaijan Shepherds, Tushetian Nagazis, and Circassian Sheepdogs.

The Kars Dog has been bred for centuries by shepherds for its working abilities, resulting in a great variety of sizes, colours, and coat types.

Intriguing read: Are Anatolian Shepherds Good Guard Dogs

The Turkish breed has a rich history, with the Kars Dog being found throughout North-Eastern Turkey.

This rugged Molosser is still being bred today by shepherds for its working abilities, resulting in a great variety of sizes, colours and coat types.

The Kars Dog is extremely aggressive and territorial, best suited for rural environments.

It can make an agreeable companion for experienced owners if provided with proper socialization and training.

Turkish dogs are said to be very healthy, with some reports of European breeders buying Kars puppies to improve their bloodlines.

The average height of the Kars Dog is around 28 inches, although smaller, as well as much taller dogs exist.

The Kars Shepherd has its roots in Eastern Anatolia, where it's widely distributed across provinces such as Ağrı, Ardahan, Artvin, Erzurum, Iğdır, Kars, and Van.

The breed's first scientific description was presented by David Nelson at the International Symposium on Turkish Shepherd Dogs in Konya in 1996.

The Kars Shepherd was registered with the Turkish Standards Institution in 2002, marking a significant milestone in its recognition.

The Kars dog's temperament is quite strong-willed and stubborn, which can make training a challenge. They are extremely good guard dogs, brave and devoted, but they don't respond well to strangers.

They are naturally territorial and require a firm, confident, and strict owner to thrive. This means they're not the best fit for inexperienced dog owners or families with young children.

With the right training and care, however, they can become loving family pets.

The Kars dog is a medium-sized breed, slightly smaller than livestock guardian breeds from central and western Turkey.

It has a long, heavy double coat that can be found in a number of colours, including black, white, grey, red, yellow and brown.

Frequently, they have white markings on their chest, necks and forelegs.

The Kars Dog is usually an aggressive and quite territorial breed. They don't respond well to strangers and shouldn't be left alone with children.

Training these dogs can be a challenge due to their large size, stubborn, and strong-willed temperament. They require a firm, confident, and strict owner.

With the correct training, these dogs can become loving family pets. This requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

Their life span is estimated to be around 10-12 years, but this greatly depends on their lifestyle.