Aksaray Malaklı

We couldn't find a study that systematically examines the Malaklı's temperament. According to a 2017 study by researchers from Aksaray and Erciyes universities who interviewed 50 breeders and owners (Aslim and Sinmez), a Malaklı's temperament depends largely on how it's raised: dogs that grow up away from people are tougher, while those raised among people are calmer. Breeders say these dogs usually obey only their owner and can be harsh toward other people.

Locals sort Malaklıs by temperament into those that are hard on people, those that go after wolves and those that are not hard on people. According to the same accounts, a Malaklı on guard duty may not tolerate another dog of its own sex nearby. A 2018 study comparing the Malaklı with the Kangal (Ograk et al.) also notes that in the region the Malaklı is known for its heavier body, larger head and harsher temperament.

This information isn't meant as a warning but as a guide: a well-socialized Malaklı can be a devoted, protective family dog, but it is so large and strong that its temperament shouldn't be left to chance.

The Aksaray Malaklı suits owners who live in the countryside, on a farm or in a house with a large yard, have experience with very large, protective dogs and can give their dog time every day. Being able to handle a dog that can weigh more than 130 lb (60 kg) safely on a leash is an important test.

The dog should have a quiet, separate place to go when visitors come. To spot early signs that your dog is uncomfortable, take a look at our article on dog body language.

The Aksaray Malaklı is bred in the province of Aksaray in central Anatolia and is named after it. According to a 2016 Aksaray University study, the dogs are found mainly around Aksaray, Sereflikochisar and Nevsehir, and they are counted, along with the Kangal and the Karayaka dog, among the "karabash" (black-headed) dogs. A 2023 study shows that Malaklıs are also bred in Sivas.

As reported in the same 2016 study, a 2011 study by Atasoy and colleagues found that Malaklıs form a group genetically distinct from Kangal, Akbash and Kars dogs and may be a separate breed. The authors of the 2018 study comparing the Malaklı and the Kangal also write that the two come from the same gene pool but differ clearly in body measurements.

The breed's path to official recognition is still underway. As of 2016 there was no breed standard for the Malaklı, and according to the 2017 folklore study, no application had been made for international breed registration. According to a 2023 study, the Aksaray Governor's Office obtained a trademark registration for the name "Aksaray Malaklısı" in 2017; that's different from registering a breed. According to the 2018 study, the governor's office, the municipality, several universities and Türkiye's kennel federation (KIF) were working together to define and register the breed. Aksaray University also set up a gene bank with blood and hair samples from 155 dogs.

The Malaklı's most striking features are its big head, drooping lips and massive body. According to a 2014 Ankara University study of 277 dogs over 18 months old (Atasoy et al.), the averages were:

A 2018 study comparing Malaklıs in Aksaray with Kangals in Sivas (Ograk et al.) found that the Malaklıs were larger, with bigger heads and bodies, and that every Malaklı examined had an extra toe on the hind feet (a "sixth nail").

According to accounts gathered from breeders (Aslim and Sinmez):

• Head: Large, with a broad forehead and a black mask. There are two types, a long-muzzled one and a short-muzzled one. The lips and jowls droop, and the lower eyelids look droopy as well.
• Body: A broad, long chest, a long body, thick legs and strong muscles.
• Coat and color: Short and dense. The color is usually a shade of fawn-gray, and locals use names such as "boz karabaş" (gray with a black head), "ala" (spotted), "sarı" (yellow) and "göğ" (bluish gray) Malaklı.
• Tail: Not tightly curled; locals describe tails as whip-like, L-shaped or curled.
• Extra toes: The hind feet carry an extra toe (dewclaw), and a double dewclaw is considered especially valuable.

Thanks to its short, dense coat, the Malaklı is easy to groom; brushing once or twice a week, and more often during shedding seasons, is enough. The areas that need the most attention are the face and feet.

• Lips and facial folds: Drooping lips can trap drool and food; wipe the lip edges regularly with a damp cloth, and show your vet any redness or odor.
• Eyes: In dogs whose lower eyelids look droopy, check the eyes every day; show your vet any constant discharge, redness or pawing at the eyes.
• Dewclaws: The nails on the extra toes of the hind feet don't touch the ground and can overgrow; check them once a month.
• Shade and water: In summer it needs shade, a cool place to lie and fresh water at all times. Our article on dogs in hot weather covers the signs of heatstroke.
• Shelter: If it stays outdoors, provide a dry, insulated, windproof doghouse and a raised bed.

The Malaklı isn't a running dog; it's a large, heavy guardian. It still needs to move: long, steady walks, time to roam in a large fenced area and sniffing games all suit it. Don't let it off leash in an unfenced area. Because it's so heavily built, move walks to the cooler morning and evening hours in hot weather.

Breeders say a Malaklı is calmer when it grows up among people, so with this breed socialization isn't optional; it's essential.

1. Early socialization: As a puppy, give it positive experiences with every member of the family, different people, sounds and calm dogs. Keeping a puppy shut in a dark place or raising it away from people can make its temperament harsher.
2. Leash control: A dog that may grow past 130 lb (60 kg) needs to learn loose-leash walking while it's small. Our guide to loose-leash walking walks you through it.
3. Vet prep: While it's young, use rewards to get it used to being touched, having its mouth and paws handled and, if needed, wearing a muzzle.
4. Visitor routine: Teach it a separate, quiet place to go when the doorbell rings.

The authors of the 2016 gene bank study write that dogs of this type are used in illegal dogfights and that careless crossbreeding to produce "stronger" dogs threatens the breed's future. In Türkiye, making animals fight is a crime under the Animal Protection Law (article 28/A). Provoking the dog or setting it against other dogs is dangerous and wrong; if you run into behavior problems, get help from your vet and a trainer who uses positive methods.

The Malaklı doesn't need a special food; a complete, balanced dog food suited to its age and activity level is enough. There are foods made for large-breed puppies; decide on the type and amount with your vet. In such a heavy dog, extra weight puts more strain on the joints; being able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat is a good guide.

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists feeding once a day and eating quickly among the risk factors for bloat, and recommends limiting exercise before and after meals and avoiding raised food bowls for high-risk dogs. In practice: split the daily food into at least two meals, use a slow-feeder bowl if it gulps, and don't let it run right after eating.

Be careful with table scraps and bones; take a look at our list of foods that are dangerous for dogs. Fresh water should always be available.

There's very little health research specific to the Aksaray Malaklı. A 2023 study of 32 healthy Malaklıs in Sivas established the first breed-specific reference values for a hearing test (BAER), which can serve as a comparison in future hearing exams. The issues below are known problems in large, deep-chested dogs; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, this is mainly a problem of large, deep-chested dogs: the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. It is life-threatening and needs immediate treatment. The main signs are retching without bringing anything up, drooling, restlessness and a swollen belly.

Joints

We couldn't find a study showing how common hip or elbow problems are in the Malaklı. Still, in such a heavy dog, take signs like limping, trouble getting up or avoiding stairs seriously and show your vet.

Eyelids

Breeder accounts describe the Malaklı's eyes as droopy, with sagging lower lids. If you notice a problem related to the eyelids (constant discharge, redness, squinting or pawing at the eye), show your vet.

We couldn't find a study of the Aksaray Malaklı's lifespan, so we're not giving a number. A 2024 UK study using data on about 585,000 dogs (McMillan et al.) shows that larger breeds generally live shorter lives; in that study, a small group of dogs registered as "Anatolian Shepherd" had a median lifespan of 10.1 years.

The most practical tools you have for a longer life: regular vet checkups, a healthy weight, staying on top of vaccines and parasite prevention, and knowing the signs of emergencies such as bloat ahead of time.

• Consider a shelter: Large shepherd dogs and their mixes also turn up in shelters. Seeing an adult dog's temperament up front is a real advantage with a breed this large. Our guide to adopting a shelter dog explains the process.
• If you buy from a breeder: Meet the parents on site; look for calm, manageable temperaments and puppies that are being raised among people.
• Red flags: Avoid dogs sold as "tough," "man-biter" or "fighter," puppies with cropped ears, and sellers who won't show you the mother. Dogs bred for fighting are also one of the biggest threats to the breed itself.
• Preparation: A fence, a doghouse, and a sturdy collar and leash made for a large dog. Food and care costs are noticeably higher than for a small dog.
• Registration: Rules vary by country. In Türkiye, owned cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system; see our article on PETVET registration and microchips.
• With kids: It's a very large, strong dog; the rules in our article on kids and dogs at home matter even more with this breed.