Kangal Dog Grooming

The Kangal Dog has a short, thick coat that doesn't need too much care--and while these dogs shed heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons, overall Kangal Dog grooming isn't very time-consuming.

For most of the year, Kangals only need brushing once or twice a week with a bristle brush or grooming glove. To brush your Kangal: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then brush the coat section by section, moving in the direction of hair growth. During shedding season, daily brushing is required--and some owners also like to use de-shedding tools during these periods to help collect dead hairs.

These dogs are known to keep themselves pretty clean, so baths will only be necessary every 3-4 months--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is in order. When bathing your Kangal Dog, be sure to use canine shampoo, and make sure to rinse the shampoo completely from the coat. Not doing both these things can irritate the dog's skin.

And Kangal Dogs don't need haircuts at all. It's also important to never shave these dogs' coats! A shaved Kangal Dog will be much more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and will get cold very easily. Neither will the dog shed any less--the shed hairs would only be shorter.

See below for more info on maintaining a Kangal Dog's teeth, ears, and paws.

Because of this breed's short double coat, no Kangal styling is possible. In other words, these big dogs' coats are simply too short to sport any hairstyles other than their natural ones! Even so, some people think shaving a Kangal Dog coat will help keep the dog cool in summer and will reduce shedding. As professional groomers will tell you, though, both these ideas are myths.

Here's why: double coats on dogs act as natural climate control systems, and serve to regulate the animals' body temperature. On hot days, cool air is trapped between the coat's layers to keep the dog from overheating--and the same happens with warm air in freezing temps. A shaved Kangal Dog is without its natural insulation; the dog will be more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and will get cold very easily.

Neither will the shaved coat shed any less; the only difference is that the shed hairs would probably be shorter. Since it's the undercoat that sheds, unless the dog is shaved bald--which is never a good idea!--the undercoat remains and the dog still sheds. And when the coat does grow back, it'll be uneven and softer in texture.

The only reason to shave any part of a Kangal Dog's coat is in preparation for surgery or other medical procedures. Your vet will discuss this with you further.

So to anyone considering shaving their Kangal Dog's coat: put those clippers away!

Your Kangal Dog will also need regular care in the following areas:

• Teeth: Just like a human's, Kangal Dog teeth need regular brushing to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize that Kangal Dog bad breath! Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste (available at pet stores or online), as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If your Kangal Dog's ears aren't cleaned periodically, they'll collect dirt, grass, and other debris, and even get infected--which could lead to hearing loss. Clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and always use cotton balls (never Q-Tips!) to wipe out any excess solution.
• Nails: Kangal Dog nails will click on hard surfaces if they get too long--which means it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the nails as close to the toes as possible, but be sure not to cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), as doing so will make the nail bleed and be painful.
• Toe Hair: If the hair between your Kangal Dog's toes gets too long, it'll get extremely dirty, and even cause infections. Use scissors to trim the hair short if needed.
• Paw Pads: Your Kangal Dog's paw pads can get dry, cracked, and tender, especially if the dog walks a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer (available at pet stores or online) to the dog's pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.