Owning a Kangal Shepherd Dog is a big responsibility for any pet owner. If you’re considering owning one of these large dogs, know that there is much more that goes into Kangal Dog cost than simply purchasing the pooch.
First time pet owners often fail to consider the level of commitment that goes into owning a dog. Welcoming a Kangal Shepherd Dog into your family is a commitment to a lifetime of expenses for that dog.
Since the Kangal breed is a sizable dog breed, these pooches tend to cost more compared to other, smaller dog breeds. Additionally, this means that they are ill-suited for apartment life.
So, if you’re considering adopting one of these wonderful canine companions, read on to discover what a Kangal puppy owner can expect to pay for their pooch.
First, let’s get the upfront cost out of the way, a Kangal puppy will cost on average $1,000, however, it can go up to $5,000 based on various factors. Let’s quickly go over them before going into the monthly and yearly costs.
3 Factors Affecting Upfront Kangal Dog Cost
The Dog’s Pedigree
The pedigree of your pooch will directly influence Kangal Dog price that a prospective owner will pay.
Those interested in large working dogs may not care about the pedigree of their Kangal Shepherd. As long as the dog is able to protect livestock, this may be the only characteristic that an owner cares about.
However, an experienced dog owner or someone who is invested in pup breeding may be interested in a purebred Kangal Dog puppy.
Purebred Kangal Dogs are certified as such by kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club. Those who are sincerely interested in owning a purebred Kangal Dog may be interested in champion dogs.
A champion dog is a purebred dog who has a distinct, traceable connection to a dog who has won a championship in some sort of competition.
So, if you want a Kangal Dog puppy, know that champion dogs will be the most expensive puppies followed by purebred dogs. Kangal Dog crosses will be affordable, and you may be able to find one in a shelter.
The Puppy’s Sex
Another factor that affects the initial cost of a Kangal Dog breed puppy is its sex. You may be surprised to know that male and female Kangals may sell for different prices, but consider that each sex has desirable features.
Farm owners or those who own livestock may prefer to have a male dog watching over their animals, are males tend to be larger and more aggressive than their female counterparts.
While these features may not be desirable for Kangals who are companion dogs, they are optimal for Kangal Shepherd Dogs who are livestock guardians, as they dogs have the responsibility of protecting livestock from predators.
Therefore, since males are larger and more aggressive they tend to be better-equipped to defend livestock.
Male Kangal Dogs are highly sought, but female Kangal Dogs have inherent benefits as well.
Female Kangals have a disposition that tends to be gentler and more loving than that of males. These tendencies may render them slightly less effective guardian dogs than males, but females are superior to males in their companion dog abilities.
Those adopting a Kangal puppy with the intention of keeping it as a house pet will be pleased with a female Kangal’s pleasant demeanor.
Another reason why female Kangal Shepherds may be preferred to males is because of a female’s ability to produce puppies. Dog lovers interested in breeding Kangal Dogs will likely want to own a female Kangal Shepherd for this reason.
Ultimately, male Kangal Dogs tend to be slightly more expensive than females due to their larger size and abilities to consistently defend livestock herds. However, both male and female Kangals have benefits, with each sex making a terrific pet.
The Puppy’s Breeder
Kangal Dog puppy price may be dictated by a breeder’s reputation. Breeders who are experienced in producing Kangals will be able to charge much more than breeders who are new to breeding these dogs.
A breeder’s reputation is an important factor to consider when searching for a Kangal puppy. There are dozens of reputable breeders within the United States that specialize in breeding Kangal Dogs.
Unfortunately, there are also plenty of breeders that do not breed and raise their Kangal puppies in an ethical condition.
The easier, most apparent way to discern whether you are dealing with reputable Kangal Dog breeders would be to consider the Kangal Shepherd Dog price. If the Kangal Dog price seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with a breeder who raises their dogs in unethical conditions.
Another way to tell a reputable breeder from one who is not would be to evaluate whether a breeder includes a health guarantee with the Kangal puppies that they raise. Most professional breeders will include a health guarantee with the sale of their Kangal puppies.
A breeder who raises dogs in unethical conditions will be hesitant to offer such a guarantee to those who purchase their pups. So, to verify if you are dealing with a reputable breeder, be sure to consider the advice that we’ve described.
The Average Cost of a Kangal Shepherd Puppy
Now that you know about the different factors that dictate Kangal Dog cost, it’s time to discuss how much these dog’s initial cost. So, how much should someone interested in owning one of these Kangal puppies expect to pay?
A Kangal Dog puppy costs around $1,000 on average, with Kangal Dog puppies fluctuating in price between $750 to $1500 for a typical, purebred Kangal puppy.
However, if you were interested in acquiring a top-of-the-line, purebred Kangal Dog from a champion bloodline, you will have to dish out more money. Prospective owners of such dogs should expect to pay between $1,500 to $5,000 on the high end.
Can I Find A Kangal Dog At An Animal Shelter?
Now that you’ve read about the typical prices for Kangal Shepherds, you may be feeling discouraged about the considerable amount of up-front cost that it will require to purchase a Kangal puppy.
This discouragement could prompt you to wonder about acquiring a young Kangal dog using methods other than buying one from a breeder. Perhaps the best alternative to purchasing one of these pooches from a breeder entails looking for one at an animal shelter.
It may be difficult to find a purebred Kangal at a shelter. Instead, shelters more commonly have mixed breed dogs. However, if you don’t care about the bloodline of your dog, you can find plenty of dogs with Kangal blood in animal shelters.
Therefore, an animal shelter can be a wonderful and economical way to acquire a Kangal Dog for your family. If you’re set on buying a purebred Kangal Dog for your family, then try searching for dog rescue organizations that specialize in re-homing Kangal Dogs.
You can also check a specific Kangal rescue such as the Kangal Dog Rescue Project.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Kangal Dog From a Rescue?
Since we’re discussing the topic of adopting a Kangal from an animal rescue or Kangal Dog club, you surely are now curious about how much it costs to adopt a Kangal rather than buy one from a breeder. Is it really that much cheaper to adopt a Kangal instead of purchasing one from a breeder?
Luckily, for those looking to enjoy the best of both worlds, adopting a Kangal is cheaper for prospective owners and still sends them home with a delightful dog.
If you find your furry friend at a shelter or Kangal-specific rescue, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars in adoption fees to bring home your pet. Paying $250 to $400 is a typical price range, so adopting a Kangal instead of buying one from a breeder is certainly a good way to save money.
One-time Expenses Associated With Kangal Dog Ownership
Anyone who has owned a dog knows that there are plenty of potential one-time and recurring expenses associated with owning a pooch. We’ve already discussed the initial expenses of Kangal Dog ownership, so let’s now cover some of the other one-time expenses associated with Kangal ownership.
Dog Training
Providing a Kangal Dog with proper training is a task that not every owner will be prepared to handle. Some owners may be new to training dogs, while others may not have the time to commit to training their furry friends.
Whatever the case, having a well-behaved Kangal makes a pet’s life easier. If you’re interested in owning a properly-trained Kangal but cannot commit to training your dog, you may want to explore professional dog-training services.
Professional dog-training services are offered in a variety of formats and allow owners to determine the level of training that they wish to provide their Kangal Dog.
Professional dog training services are not cheap, as they often cost $150 to $750. However, for those who don’t have the time to train their furry friend, they may be worthwhile.
Spaying/Neutering
Sterilization is a process that can cost anywhere from $50 to $450 depending on the procedure and the dog’s age. It may seem a bit pricey, but this is a one-time purchase.
Dog License
Purchasing a dog license for your canine companion can be a helpful investment for dogs that spend lots of time outdoors. If you purchase a license for your pooch, you would be provided with a license number and identification tag that can be used to identify your dog if it gets lost.
Dog licenses for Kangal dogs are affordable, costing around $15.
Registration Papers And Pedigree
As discussed, some Kangal owners may not care about the pedigree of Kangal puppies, while others are quite invested in their dog’s lineage.
Those who are interested in their dog’s pedigree may want to purchase registration papers that prove their dog’s purebred background. These papers are often an additional fee, costing anywhere from $100 to $500.
Monthly & Annual Kangal Dog Expenses
While the fee that is associated with purchasing your Kangal Shepherd will be considerable no matter how you slice it, the redeeming quality of such a fee is that it is a one-time purchase.
It may seem like a bit of money when you pay for your dog, but you will end up spending far more on your Kangal over the course of its lifetime as you pay for its annual expenses.
What sort of annual expenses should Kangal owners expect, and how much money should they be prepared to contribute to the annual care of their pooch?
Here are annual expenses that owners should be prepared to cover while caring for their Kangal Dog:
Food
Kangal Shepherds are large dogs, with both males and females routinely surpassing 100 pounds by the time they reach adulthood. This means that these sizable pooches will have a massive appetite.
Pet lovers looking to satiate the substantial appetites of a Kangal will need to dish out a considerable amount of money to simply pay for dog food and dog treats for their furry friend.
Owners that provide their Kangal with good quality food will likely pay around $1,000 annually for their canine companion, with the largest, most active dogs consuming over $1,500 of dog food each year.
Moreover, owners that feed their Kangal Dog a special diet such as a raw diet can expect to pay even more than the price range listed above.
Veterinary Care
Taking your Kangal to receive annual checkups with the veterinarian is a dreaded experience for many dog owners. Not only is going to the vet a miserable experience for many dogs, but finding an affordable veterinarian can be quite challenging.
Nevertheless, taking a Kangal to receive annual checkups at the vet is the least an owner can do for their dog. Not only do routine vet visits ensure a dog’s health, but a vet could detect potentially harmful conditions that your Kangal could experience before they get out of hand. This potentially saves an owner time and money down the road.
Ultimately, having your Kangal receive annual veterinary visits will likely cost $150 to $350. Additionally, owners may pay $75 to $250 for their pooch to receive vaccinations at their vet annually.
Grooming
Grooming is an expense that can vary significantly based on an individual owner’s grooming preferences.
For some Kangal owners, paying for professional grooming is a worthwhile expense. However, many pet owners are not able to afford professional grooming for their Kangal.
Those who do not pay to have their Kangal Dog professionally groomed will still need to purchase some grooming essentials to every year to keep their dog’s coat looking its best.
Therefore, grooming may could as little as $25, but it can also be upwards of $500 if owners frequently have their Kangal professionally groomed.
Pest Prevention
Kangals are easy targets for pests considering their luscious coat of fur. This means that ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and other pests will attempt to latch onto your pet.
Kangal owners could choose to do nothing and simply allow pests to infiltrate their dog’s fur, but this would surely lead to incessant scratching and a potentially miserable existence for your dog.
The best way for dog owners to prevent pesky pests is to provide their Kangal with a specific flea and tick medication that deters these pests and more.
Purchasing an annual supply of pest prevention supplements for a Kangal will usually cost around $200.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is another optional annual expense that some owners may find worthwhile.
If you anticipate that your Kangal Dog may require emergency treatment for a condition or otherwise require routine veterinary care, purchasing insurance for your pet can help you to minimize your burden.
However, pet insurance may not be worthwhile to dog owners that own a healthy Kangal.
If you decide that pet insurance may be right for you and your dog, you should expect to pay $750 to $1,500 annually.
Daycare Services
Not every family will need to hire daycare services to watch after their Kangal, but for those who are not able to be with their Kangal during the day, a daycare service may be a good choice if you’re looking for someone to watch your day.
Dropping your furry friend off at daycare is certainly convenient, but dog owners will need to pay quite a bit to afford this convenience.
Dog daycare services routinely cost several thousand dollars annually, so this option may not be feasible for many dog owners.
Other Expenses
Other expenses that Kangal Shepherd owners may need to account for annually include chew toys, dog accessories, hiring a dog walker, and more. These additional expenses may not be necessary, but your Kangal will surely appreciate them nonetheless.
Other, additional expenses can cost owners several hundred dollars every year.
Total Annual Kangal Dog Cost
To recap, Kangal Dog owners should expect the following annual costs:
- Food
- Veterinary Care
- Grooming
- Pest Prevention
- Pet Insurance
- Dog-watching Services
The total annual cost of owning a big, loveable Kangal Dog could be anywhere from $2,500 to upwards of $6,000 depending on the services an owner purchases for their dog.
The large size and active lifestyles of these pooches mean that they are not a cheap breed. Indeed, owning a Kangal is more expensive than owning most other animals. If you’re looking for an economical dog to own, a Kangal will not be the best option.
Are Kangal Shepherds More Expensive Than Other Dog Breeds?
After reading about the expenses associated with these large dogs, you may be wondering if Anatolian Shepherds are more expensive than other dog breeds. So, do these dogs tend to be one of the most expensive dog breeds?
While it is true that Kangal Shepherds are an expensive dog breed, they are not inherently more expensive than other animals that are comparable in size.
Those who want to own a large dog will just have to accept that providing a big pooch with a healthy diet to maximize their life expectancy will cost a considerable amount of money.
Average Lifespan Of A Kangal Dog
If you’re going to commit to owning a Kangal Shepherd Dog, you probably want to know how long a dog’s life might last. Well, Kangals can live a decent amount of time, with individuals averaging lives that are 11 to 13 years in total.
Health Concerns Of Kangal Dogs
Kangal Dogs are among the most powerful dogs in the world. These canines are massive from a young age, and the breed is renowned for being a healthy breed of dog.
A Kangal puppy will almost certainly be a healthy pooch if an owner obtains it from a trusted breeder. However, as these dogs age, they may develop health complications live hip dysplasia, lipoma, and several other health concerns.
Luckily, Kangal Dogs are free of most hereditary diseases. The best way to keep your Kangal healthy and avoid health concerns is by providing your puppy with plenty of exercise and a nutritious diet.
What Is A Kangal Dog?
Most people who are reading this article will know a bit about Kangal Shepherd Dogs, but here’s some history about Kangal Dogs for those who don’t know about these canines:
Kangal Shepherds are a working breed of dog with a dense double coat. They have been guardian dogs for livestock flocks in Turkey and neighboring countries for centuries.
If you have not heard of a Kangal Dog before, perhaps you know this breed by another name-the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
Why the two different names? Well, in the United States, dogs bred in Turkey to defend livestock are referred to as Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a name that is not used in Turkey, as this is strictly a term developed in America.
Therefore, keep in mind that Kangal Dogs are synonymous with Anatolian Shepherds.
Are Kangal Dogs Available In The United States?
Those interested in owning a Kangal Dog can find this breed in the United States. However, there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the distinction between authentic and crossbred Kangals.
This breed rose to prominence in the United States in the 1970s when a pair of livestock dogs from Turkey were bred. Americans named this breed of Turkish livestock dog the Anatolian Shepherd, and they began importing additional dogs from Turkey to increase the number of these dogs in America.
The American breeders bred these dogs without taking the time to understand the differences in Kangal Dogs that occur throughout Turkey based on the region in which they live.
This meant that Anatolian Shepherds were not bred to produce traits that were typically associated with the breed in Turkey. The randomly-bred Anatolian Shepherds in America began to deviate from what a Kangal Dog in Turkey was supposed to look like.
American breeders in the current era have a better understanding of the traits specific to Kangal Dogs in Turkey, and they now try to breed these dogs to display these traits.
If you’re looking for a Kangal Dog in the United States, you may find a dog that does not look quite like photos of authentic Turkish Kangals.
However, authentic Kangals from Turkey are now being imported to the United States to correct the American Kangal line. Today, different kennel clubs recognize the Kangal Dog as a distinct breed of dog.
Owning a Kangal Dog in the United States that conforms to breed-specific laws will cost far more money than a Kangal that does not.
If you’re set on owning a Kangal Shepherd, you’ll likely want to acquire your dog when it is a puppy. After all, this would allow you to maximize your time with your furry friend while having a massive influence on its growth and development.
So, if you want to own a Kangal puppy, what sort of factors will dictate how much you pay for your canine companion?