The Kangal Dog of Turkey: A Cultural Treasure makes debut in New York City

Dr. Salim Yilmaz, Vice President of Kangal Dog Club of America [KDCA], West Hills, California – The Kangal Dog of Turkey is magnificent breed and is a cultural and historic icon of the Turkish people going back hundreds of years. Kangal Dog is an excellent guardian of livestock, of home and family companions. Kangal Dog holds a special cultural and historical status in Turkish society.

Almost every native Turkish person has grown up hearing about and admiring Kangal Dogs, but Kangal Dogs have been little known outside Turkey. Some foreign dog breeders call them “Karabash”.  Some groups, including the American Kennel Club and the Federation Canine International, as well as most of the Anatolian breed clubs, continue to ignore the views of the Turkish people.

KANGAL DOGS made an excellent impression on New York City folks on Saturday May 18. Two beautiful Kangal Dogs flew to New York to participate at the 21st Annual Turkish American Day Parade and Festivities.

Dogan Kartay [President Turkish Shepherd Dogs’ Association of Turkiye] and Onur Kanli Kartay [Vice- President Turkish Shepherd Dogs’ Association of Turkiye] attended the Parade with their magnificent Kangal Dogs Arak and Kocabas. Kocabas has won the championships at the Kangal Dog Festival in Turkey and Dogan Kartay has discovered Arak this year in the Denizli region of Turkey.

The Culture Minister of Turkish Republic Mr. Istemihan Talay is also a Kangal Dog enthusiast, and requested and supported that Mr. Dogan Kartay to participate at the 21st Annual Turkish American Day Parade with two Kangal Dogs.

The presence of these two Kangal Dogs at the parade was a huge success.   The Turkish Americans and other Americans were applauding us and screaming as we walked down the streets of downtown Manhattan. You would not believe the number of women and children who wanted to walk into the parade route and touch these wonderful Kangals who acted like gentle giant lions.  There were several hundreds officers from New York City Police Department at the parade and they were impressed by the two magnificent Kangal Dogs. Their eyes were wide open and they were all asking me a lot questions about them as we walked by. These two Kangals looked like two proud and noble lions walking down the streets of downtown Manhattan near ground zero. I had goose bumps.

When the Kangal dogs participated at the festivities at the New York City Park in Manhattan, a lot of people approached to see, touch them. A lot of ladies and young children were on their knees touching, hugging and kissing these Kangals.  They were very noble and gentle giants.

I felt very proud about being a part of the Kangal world.

Source: Turkish Times