MonsterMalak
Chillin' with the herd
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Here is an attempt at a Breed Profile I tried to put together. Please forgive any poor structure or typos,,,, I am a RN by trade, and Dog Lover by nature.
Please note that I am not an authority of the breed, but have compiled this information through research and information provided by my Turkish friends and breeders of the Boz Shepherd Dog.
Turkish Boz Shepherd
The Boz Shepherd is a Landrace Regional Breed of dog from Southern Turkey in the Urfa and Tuzkoy area. They are most common in the Urfa Mountians (actually High Plateaus west of Urfa).
There are several names they are known by, depending on the area, religion of owner, or personal preference. Boz is a name given by the outsider or city people, and translates to Creamy White due to their most predominant color. The local Turks in the Urfa Region refer to them as GUREGH Coban Kopegi, GUREHH, or GUREGULAR. Kurdish peoples refer to them as the KURDISH KANGAL or KURDISH GUREGH. The Turks in the Tuzkoy area refer to them as the TUZKOY. Some Turks consider all the variants of Kangal types to be one, and post pictures of Boz Shepherds as Kangals.
HISTORY is limited, but it is said that the dogs and their bloodlines have been passed down many generations amongst the Shepherds. Being a Landrace Regional breed, they are bound to share genetics with the other breeds of Turkey. The large Livestock Guardians of Turkey came from the Assyrian or Babylonian War dogs, or more likely were brought from Central Asia with the migration of the Turkmenistan Shepherds approximately 1,000 years ago.
HISTORICAL USE has been Multi Functional, but mostly utilized as a Livestock Guardian. The Plateaus are a somewhat arid region, with the only grass crop coming from the winter snows. Environmentally, it is a tough region for the livestock and the dogs. The region is hot and dry in the summer, and has deep snows during the winter. The dogs are seldom afforded shelter.
Their native diet is usually poor, being fed YAL, which is a Barley or Flour mash with chicken bones, meat scraps, watered yogurt, or tomato paste. Still these dogs seem to subsist, often supplementing their diet with rodents.
In the Grazing season, the Shepherd will generally take 3-5 males, and 1-2 females on the 200-600 mile trek in search of grass. The dogs are usually on their own to find their own nutrition. During the winter, the dogs are usually either tied, or allowed to run free in the village. Dogs that showed any aggression towards the children would have been culled.
GUARDING STYLE for predators is from perimeter patrols, and will give great chase to any threat, often chasing the predator for 1-2 miles. If engaged, usually the faster females will stall them until the larger more powerful males arrive. Often they will plow into the wolf to knock them down, grabbing the throat if possible, as the females break the legs. Holding a suffocating bite on the neck is a common tactic. Working as a team is their specialty. Towards human threats, they are direct and forceful. Usually preventing anything they are not comfortable with.
GENETIC MAKEUP is undetermined, and probably lost in history. My guess would be a historical combination of Kangal or Yoruk and Malakli.
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE is a good balance of Power, Speed, Agility and Stamina. They maintain a naturally lean but muscular structure. The sighthound influence is noticeable with the deep chest, and tucked abdomin. Legs are usually long, with a somewhat square profile. Bone structure is heavier than the Kangal, and the feet are both huge and with webbed toes. (A trait attributed to help a Grey wolf travel through deep snow) Dewclaws and double dewclaws are common.
FUNCTION and MOVEMENT is with a speed noted in the 30mph range, with some measured at 36mph. When in full sprint, the tucked greyhound style is noted in most. Agility is good for their size, with explosive lunges or ambush type attacks. They can jump, twist, and at times seem cat like in a fight. The use of their front limbs is highly developed in combat or daily function. Their ability to down an opponent and maintain on top during a fight is a trait that is developed and expected. Tractor pulling is a common sport, with Boz pulling 7,000-10,500 pound tractors. No specialized harnesses are used, just a rope tied to the collar.
TEMPERAMENT is highly complex as a breed. Boz are naturally submissive to their Family and children, to the point of being misunderstood as weakness by some. Away from the home, most are perfectly accepting of all people if socialized, especially children. They will usually choosing to stay by your side even unrestrained when in public. They have a calm and regal presence even as puppies. Pressing themselves up against you, between you and a perceived danger is a deeply ingrained trait. At home they become much more defensive. The range is from accepting after an introduction, to highly defensive. Special socialization and recognition of behaviors is a must for dogs to be exposed to the public or visitors at home. Keeping a watch full eye on any visitors is normal, with intervention of any unfamiliar action by the visitor. This breed is not a good breed for every home or situation. The ability to train, contain and control if needed are a must. They are far from the PET breeds of dogs the average person is accustom to.
SIZE of Boz Shepherds.
Males range from 30-36 tall and 130-190 pounds, with a few in the 38 inch 250 pound range. Ideal working height is in the 32-35 inch range, weight is in the 140-180# range.
Females range from 29-33 tall and 110-160# range. The Turkish Shepherds minimize the females contribution to the size of the offspring, but not the quality.
Selection has been and should be for function and ability, as opposed to size and look.
COLOR AND COAT is mostly Creamy White fawn (Boz) with a dark muzzle, but can range from a Reddish to solid white. Hair is short to medium in length, with a distinct dense winter coat.
Claims of measured bite pressures in the range of 714-763psi have been made.
INTELLIGENCE and the ability to make decisions and take action are a deeply preserved trait, common in the more Aboriginal or Ancient breeds of dogs. Although they crave your acceptance if you scold them, they do not wait for you every command. For correction, one scolding to them is as effective as a harsh correction would be to many breeds
HISTORICAL FUNCTION of this breed has been as a Livestock and Village Guardian, Hunting various game, and Guarding Businesses. A strong historical custom to Test Fight for the purpose of selection has had a definite impact on the Boz Shepherds physical structure, temperament and abilities. They have been developed as a functional working breed, shaped through many generations of demanding physical duties, harsh environment, poor nutrition and ruthless culling. The result is a dog with a rugged structure, tolerances to harsh environmental extremes and a strong temperament. In recent times, they have found themselves being used in the Dog Fighting Sport that is common in Turkey, and has a strong cultural history. (Note that dog fighting in Turkey, as in most of Asia is not the brutal sport of the West. Fights are stopped at the point of submission of injury.)
HEALTH PROBLEMS of the Boz Shepherd. Historical practices of breeding to the males 8-10 years old that had proven their worth was the custom. Only after winning many battles, and killing many wolves (Not to mention surviving the hard work and a harsh environment with poor nutrition) were they considered worthy to breed. This historical practice, along with the extreme demands placed on them today, has created a breed with few known health issues.
FUTURE of the Boz Shepherd in the USA. Efforts to find different venues of work for them, as to maintain the ability to select from dogs tested under different situations is underway. Emphasis toward selection and making balanced breedings will be strongly encouraged so as to preserve the function and balance of speed, strength and agility. Breeding to drastically alter their temperament will also be discouraged.
Livestock Guardian will be the most focused line of work for establishment in the USA. Their abilities will be useful, especially in areas of Grey Wolf and Mountain Lion predation.
Protection Work is being explored by some, but I would have to say that they will probably never excel at the Bite Work Competition type of Sport. But their natural Defense Drive and Physical Abilities will enable them to function in some lines of work, like Estate Guardian.
Boar Hunting is an ability they have already proven themselves at. Their ability to hold and control a Boar by the neck is impressive, combined with their speed, agility and ferocity. They can function as both the chase and capture dog. And to be able to take these same dogs home and put them back in their pasture with livestock smaller than the boar they just subdued, is a unique trait.
An International Breed Club is currently in the works, to bring together breeders from Turkey, Europe and Asia with the breeders from the USA.
