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Aksaray Malaklisi |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Turkey | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
| The Aksaray Malaklisi, also known as the Turkish Mastiff or Central Anatolian Shepherd, is a large Turkish Molosser guard dog breed. The breed originated in the central Anatolian town of Aksaray, Turkey. Aksaray Malaklisi is the largest of the Anatolian shepherd dog breeds, larger than the Kangal dog. Their name comes from a Turkish word used in Aksaray, "malak" meaning lip, and "malakli" meaning "with lips" due to the breed's notable black, drooping lips. Aksaray Malaklisi resembles the English Mastiff and Kangal Dog, despite some major differences in appearance. The Kangal has slimmer legs and body, while the Aksaray has dropped lips. He has longer legs than an English Mastiff and an athletic body shape. Aksaray Malaklisi is an instinctive guard dog. Malakli dogs are also used as livestock guard dogs. They are not recognized by any international or national kennel club. There is no evidence as to the origin of Malakli dogs. It was thought to be a cross between the English Mastiff and the Kangal, or the English Mastiff and the Anatolian Shepherd, but the American Mastiff is the result of the latter cross and has a different appearance. Another possibility is that most sheepdogs in the Caucasian-Anatolian region evolved from the same Mastiff-like dog that is the ancestor of the Caucasian sheepdog, Alabai, Kangal, Akbash, Anatolian shepherd and English Mastiff. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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