Livestock Guardian Dogs for the Farm and Family
Health Issues with Turkish Boz and Kangals are present, but are far fewer and at a lower incidence rate than just about any breed, especially with the large to giant breeds.
Natural Born Guardians will do whatever is needed to preserve and promote the health of both the Boz Shepherd and Kangal dogs. All breeders will be X Rayed for both Hip and Elbow Dysplasia when two years old. When any other possible health problems present, steps to limit its incidence will be taken.
The genetic health issues that have presented in the Boz in the USA to date: There has been one imported Boz to have ED. A second claim of an ED affected aggressive Boz involves a half Boz half Anatolian puppy raised in a concrete kennel under (in my opinion) less than desirable conditions. As stated through out my site, Boz are not a breed that fares well with isolation. They need someone or something to love. Mild to moderate HD has been identified in two Boz to this date.
Note that these health issues are both polygenic, and environmental in nature. No instances of cardiac, digestive, thyroid or other problems common in many large breeds have been identified as of yet.
With the Boz Shepherds development under extremely demanding work and harsh environment, most of the problems that plague most other breeds are either not seen, or of a very low incidence rate. This needs to be maintained. Testing is limited, but the best tool available to breeders in the USA. Most of us do not have the ability to have our dogs travel many hundreds if not thousands of miles a year. We cannot fight the dogs to find the superior strength, skill and drive to breed the best able predator fighters. Nor do we have the drive or ability to allow hunger and environmental exposure to take the weak. But we must do what we can to limit their degredation as many of our breeds today have done.
As with all the puppies I sell, I will offer a free replacement for any reason in the first year, and depending on reason for the second year. My dogs are priority, promoting and representing the breed come next.
OFA Ratings of Breeds with regards to hip dysplasia http://www.offa.org/stats_hip.html
VERY interesting article regarding the environmental factors that can affect hip dysplasia (worth the read!)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326112842.htm
With the Kangals, and especially the Boz Shepherd, the most important thing is ."Grow them Slow"
Research great Dane Feeding and Growth for a basis.
Puppies should be fed a regular protein Adult Dog Food or Kibble at least between the age of 4-9 months old.
Protein 22-24%, Fat 10-12%, Calcium 1-1.2%. DO NOT give calcium supplements.
They are growing so rapidly from 4-9 months, that feeding to much protein, fat and calcium is thought to contribute to orthopedic problems. Some Turks recommend to feed them the lower nutritive food through the first year. If dogs are experiencing growing pains, record heights before a year and orthopedic problems, their dietary intake may need to be evaluated.
In most areas of Turkey, a soup called YAL is fed. It consist of Barley flour and tomato paste. Chicken bones, scraps or watered yogurt are given when available. Otherwise, the diet is high in carbohydrates, and low in protein and fat. Thousands of years of this practice must have some wisdom and reason.
Much of the time, the dogs are left to find their own food. Hunting rodents is something my dogs have accomplished a skill for. They have eradicated an entrenched gopher population on 16 acres, something I was never able to come close to in 16 years. Catching and eating rabbits is also a skill many Boz exercise when able.