Kangal Dog vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison

The magnificent looking Kangal Shepherd Dog, a purebred Mastiff type dog, is often referred to as a sheep dog and hails from the Sivas province of Turkey.

The Kangal Dog is a distinct breed and the National Dog of Turkey. These are working dogs who made their appearance in the UK in 1965.

It is interesting to note that in June 2018 the Turkish Kennel Club, Köpek Irklari ve Kinoloji Federasyonu, classifies Kangal Shepherd Dogs to be the same population as the Anatolian Shepherd dog.

Hailing from Germany in the 20th century, the Deutsch Drahthaar, also known as the German wirehaired Pointer, has always been a hunting dog. He was developed to take part in hunting in field or water.

Breeders of this dog were successful in developing a skilled and versatile hunting dog that took its traits from the best coarse haired dogs.

It was in 1902 that the German breed club for the Deutsch-Drahthaar was founded.

This is a large, heavily boned dog with a big head with a black mask and medium sized floppy ears. Looking at him, he has a Mastiff-like appearance but isn't as heavy as some Mastiff breeds, allowing it more speed and agility.

He stands at roughly 72cm to 85cm male and female, and weighs about 50 to 63kg. He has a solid double coat of dense hair which is a pale tan color.The coat is short and dense. The Kangal Dog is powerful and when he is alert, the long tail is held over the back, otherwise he holds it down with a slight curl.

Temperament:

The Kangal is known for his good looks, but he is also alert, sharp, territorial and confident, while also being calm. These dogs have an instinctive wariness of strange dogs and they are also reserved with strangers but are loving, loyal and protective with their human family.

In fact, the Kangal Shepherd Dog is protective while being gentle with small children and animals. He is an intelligent breed too, and having him trained and socialized won’t be a problem.

It is always a wise move to have a big dog like this trained and socialized, making him obedient and even more amicable than he already is.

The Deutsch-Drahthaar is a medium sized well muscled sporting dog standing at 61 to 68 cm and weighing 27-32kg.

He is very distinguishable with his wiry water-resistant coat which comes in different colors such as liver, grey or black patches with a speckled or ticked background.

He has strong, straight legs with rounded paws which are webbed for strong swimming abilities. He has dark eyes with floppy, high set ears and a long tail. Many people still want the dog to have that distinctive look and they opt to have the tail docked.

Temperament:

The Deutsch-Drahthaar is a fantastic hunting companion, loving nothing more than to be working at running across fields and plunging into water to retrieve prey.

Its the kind of dog that will fit well into family life but he will require exercise. Failing to give him exercise and attention will make him bored, frustrated and destructive.

He is a friendly, gentle dog yet he becomes protective when he feels his family is threatened. Training and socialization turn him into an excellent pet as he is a strong-willed dog that will take advantage of an owner who isn’t firm with him.

Your Kangal Dog is a big, powerful dog. His very size size won't suit him living in the city in small spaces and tiny gardens. He is far better suited to life in the suburbs or to country life where he can move around easily.

In spite of his size, he is a calm, balanced, independent, protective dog. He may well be aloof towards strangers, but a trained and well-socialized Kangal Dog is friendly, loving and loyal pet with his human family and with visitors to the house.

This is a beautiful dog and it will be an honor to have such a wonderful pet in your home. Treat him well and you're bound to have the most fantastic protector, guardian and friend.

The German Wirehaired Pointer is an active, energetic dog who is happiest when performing a task or getting some exercise in. He is also a social dog, who loves spending time with his human family. It is important for him to get noticed by his human family, and he is a dog that gets on well with children in the home as well as pets.

Never just put your Pointer in the back yard and expect him to entertain himself. He wants to be included in all your activities, whether you’re walking, jogging or cycling.

A happy Deutsch Drahthaar will make sure that he gives you your full quota of love, loyalty, protection and companionship.

Spaying and Neutering:

This is most important if you don't intend your Kangal Dog becoming a parent, and is good for the health of your dog.

Vaccinations:

Your Kangal Dog puppy needs certain vaccinations at certain stages of his life to prevent him from getting some life threatening dog diseases. Keep a check on your dog's health and realize, that although the Kangal Dog is a healthy dog breed, he can develop canine illnesses such as eye diseases, ear infections, bloat, skin allergies and hip dysplasia among others.

Your dog may then require veterinary intervention to heal him of any of these.

General Hygiene:

To keep your pet happy and healthy, make sure to pick up your dog's faeces every day. This is for your own health's sake too.

When you start doing research on these German wirehairs, you see that they are far more prone to hip- and elbow dysplasia than the short-haired breed.

Also, von Willebrand’s blood-clotting disease is something that you should know about. Your German wirehair is a healthy, robust dog and is highly unlikely to get sick, but you need to be aware of these common dog ailments so that you can help him and know what to watch for.

This Von Willebrand’s disease for instance is a blood disease brought about by a deficiency of von Willebrand Factor (vWF). A lack of this vWF impairs platelet stickiness and clumping and can lead to excessive bleeding after an injury.

You may notice bleeding from the gums, bruising of skin, prolonged bleeding after an injury as well as blood in the urine for instance. Get your pet to the vet who will perform a physical exam on your dog.

The Kangal Dog can be a wonderful pet in your home, but because you’ve made the decision to bring him into your home, it becomes your responsibility to ensure his happiness and wellbeing.

These ‘care’ tips can help you, particularly if you’re a first time dog owner -

Diet:

Remember that a puppy will need 4 meals a day of soft, recommended puppy food. By the time your dog reaches his first birthday, one or two meals a day will be good.

There are some top quality commercial manufactured foods to choose from, and the packaging labeling will guide you to which one.

Adding in some home-made food such as nutritious cooked chicken, rice and vegetables will be a treat for your pet and don’t forget some raw meat occasionally too.

Fresh, cool water should be within reach of your pet around the clock.

Exercise:

Dogs need exercise to maintain their lean bodies but it will also stimulate their minds and keep them healthy. The exercise needs of your dog will depend on his size, age, health and breed type. Fun and games as well as daily walks will satisfy your Kangal Dog and keep him content.

Grooming:

Help keep your Kangal Dog looking groomed and cared for. He is a fairly heavy, seasonal shedder. Remove loose hairs with brushing the coat twice a week. Check for fleas and ticks at the same time and for any unusual lumps.

Housing:

Every dog needs a warm, dry, quiet place to rest and sleep, inside and outside. Make sure that when your dog is outside that he has a place to rest in the shade and sun, as he chooses.

Grooming:

Your Deutsch Drahthaar does shed, and because of his wiry coat, he won’t only require a brush twice a week, but also stripping by a professional doggy parlor.

There are several other grooming processes that are essential for your dog. The first is to check that his nails don’t get too long. This often happens when he spends all his time on soft grass. Running on a hard surface trims them down naturally.

Also, because he has floppy ears, they will need to be checked and cleaned regularly so he doesn’t get an ear infection. His teeth will also need to be brushed twice a week as tartar and plaque build-up can cause problems with the teeth but also with other areas of the body.

If in doubt about how to groom your pet the right way, speak to your vet or a dog expert.

Diet:

There is so much conflicting information on caring for dogs, even from so-called dog experts. While there are some excellent dog food manufacturers around, some experts will say that you should be feeding your dog based on what his digestive system was designed to eat and steer clear of these.

If you do feed your German wirehaired Pointer with manufactured dog food, make sure it is the very best one, because after all, nutrition plays a vital role in your pet’s health.

Try to include some cooked vegetables, brown rice and some chicken into his diet. These can be mixed into his kibble. It is expensive, but try to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet from time to time. Ensure a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

No more Puppies!

If your Deutsch Drahthaar isn’t going to be used for breeding, make sure that your have him or her neutered or spayed as this is advisable to promote good health. Not doing it can cause health issues later on.