Kangal Dog Price: How Much is a Kangal Shepherd?

Last Updated on April 19, 2023

The Kangal Shepherd is a breed of dog originating in Turkey that was initially used to protect livestock. These are valuable, intelligent working dogs known to be exceptional guardians of the home and farm.

They aren’t as popular as pets but are sought after by farmers who value them for their hard-working personalities and exceptional herding skills.

If you live or work on a farm, you may consider investing in this breed to help lighten the load and protect your animals.

But what is the price of a purebred Kangal puppy? And what does it cost to care for this breed? We will look at all that and more in the article below.

Can You Own a Kangal Dog?

If you’re thinking about getting a Kangal Dog, be sure to consult any breed-specific laws that might be in place in your area. 

While it might not be illegal to own it throughout the entire United States, some areas have rules concerning owning this breed.

They are banned in certain other countries, like Denmark, due to the fact that they are perceived as being aggressive dogs. 

Even if your state does allow you to own it, you’ll likely still need to get a dog license, as you would with any breed.

A license to own this breed can be bought at your local municipal office for about $20.

Is owning this breed safe?

Bred as livestock dogs, Kangals are natural guardians. That said, they are much more people-orientated than many other herding breeds and are generally not aggressive to humans.

With the proper training, they can also make great companions for children. 

This breed struggles to recognize boundaries and may attack stray or small animals, be aggressive towards intruders, or wander. 

Therefore, they are not recommended for apartment life or small homes. They need plenty of space, preferably on a farm or at least a large yard.

These dogs are also not recommended for first-time pet owners.

Can you buy this breed in the United States?

Kangals are pretty rare to find in the United States because only a handful of breeders breed these dogs.

You are also not allowed to import dogs from Turkey to preserve the pure bloodlines of dogs in the USA. 

How Much Does a Kangal Dog Cost?

Kangal puppies from reputable breeders cost in the region of $1,500 to $4,000.

That said, dogs from superior bloodlines or award-winning breeders can scale upwards of $4,500 to $5,000. 

What’s the average price of a Kangal puppy?

Kangals are not well-known dogs outside the circle of breed enthusiasts; thus, one of these puppies can be challenging to find.

On average, a Kangal puppy ranges between $1,500 and $4,000.

Of course, buying it is only the starting point; there are many other expenses to consider during your pet’s life.

How much is a full-grown Kangal Shephed?

The first year of a puppy’s life is the most expensive with all the supplies, vaccinations, and medical expenses you need to consider.

Thus, rescuing a fully-grown Kangal dog can help you save a significant amount of money.

As fully-grown dogs are also in less demand than puppies, you can pick him up for less money, even paying $500 or less.

Should you buy a puppy or an older dog?

If you are thinking of getting a Kangal dog, you might not have much say in what dog you get due to the rarity of this breed.

If you want a puppy, you may even have to go on a waiting list as there are not a lot of breeders available for these dogs in the United States. 

If you’re open to a pet of any age, you can sometimes find Kangal dogs at rescue centers.

It must be warned, however, that older dogs adopted from rescue centers can come with various problems such as behavioral issues, aggression, or health concerns.

How Much Does a Kangal Cost from a Reputable Breeder?

The exact cost you will pay for your Kangal puppy will depend on the breeder.

Puppies from standard breeding farms fetch $1,500 to $4,000, while puppies bred at famous, well-known breeding farms will range between $4,500 and $5,000.

Those dogs bred from show-winning lineages can be more expensive.

How to find recognized breeders and avoid puppy mills?

Stay away from any Kangal dogs advertised on places like Craiglist.

Not only could you lose your money to a scam, but you could end up supporting a puppy breeding mill, a place that only cares about profit and not the health and well-being of their dogs. 

Believe it or not, about 10,000 puppy mills are scattered across the USA. Thankfully, very few of these focus on the Kangal breed due to the rarity of these dogs and lesser demand for this breed.

If you’re looking for a Kangal dog from a reputable breeder, a good place to begin your search would be on the Kangal Dog Club of America, which has a list of registered breeders on their site.

Here are a few to get you started.

1. Chippewa Valley Kangals, Chippewa Falls, WI
2. Skyfiber Kangals, Washington
3. Evans Mill Cattle Company, Lexington, KY

Adoption Fee for a Rescue Kangal Dog

Getting a Kangal dog at an adoption center can save you significant money. You will also provide a home to a dog that has been rejected or abandoned, giving him a new lease on life.

To adopt this breed, you will be looking at between $300 and $400, with that money going directly to the shelter to cover the cost of their excellent work.

That said, finding a Kangal for adoption can be challenging as these dogs are not particularly common.

You can start by looking at working dog rescue organizations such as the Kangal Dog Rescue Project, Clarkston, MI.

Factors Affecting the Price of a Kangal

Several things will influence how much you will pay for a Kangal puppy. These include factors like your dog’s bloodline and genetics, gender, age, and even coat color.

1. Bloodline and breeder’s reputation

Kangal dogs from bloodlines that compete in dog shows will be more expensive than those simply bred as working farm hands.

On the other hand, companion pets will be cheaper than both of these. The reputation of your breeder will also have an impact on how much you pay for a puppy. 

Breeders take years to earn a good reputation, and they also need to pay memberships to the different kennel clubs, which will no doubt increase the cost of your puppy.

A breeder known to produce championship-winning dogs will charge you higher for their puppies. 

You can also request a DNA test on your puppy if you want to know more about his bloodline, ancestry, and origin. 

2. Registration papers and pedigree

Kangal Shepherd dogs are typically divided into two types.

Those that come with limited registration, meaning they are purebred dogs but can only be raised as pets, and those that come with a complete registration which means that they can be used for breeding and entered into dog shows. 

Those Kangals with full registration will be significantly more expensive than those sold with a limited registration. 

3. Health screenings and medical expenses

Reputable breeders should provide you with a health guarantee for your puppy.

These screenings will ensure your new puppy is free from congenital birth defects or common canine diseases.

These health certificates will, of course, also be added to the initial purchase fee.

4. Age

Naturally, bigger dogs require more food, grooming services, and larger beds, and your pet insurance fees will begin to inflate.

As your pup ages and grows in size, your monthly pet bills are bound to increase too. 

You’d be right in thinking that your month-to-month expenses will also begin to balloon depending on your dog’s health and your food and entertainment preferences.

So you can save a lot of money adopting an older dog, and as puppies are more in demand, they will also have a lower purchase fee.

5. Gender

Female Kangals are often more expensive than male dogs because they can be bred further to create more puppies.

Many new breeders are born through dog owners who choose not to spay their female Kangal dogs but instead breed them and sell the puppies for a profit. 

6. Coat color and markings

Coat color, markings, and appearance will all impact the purchase fee of your Kangal puppy.

According to the breed standards, Kangals should have a black mask and black ears that stand in contrast to the rest of their coat which can be a light golden yellow, tan, or gray.

Those who match the breed standards will obviously be more expensive than those who don’t due to their winning potential if they enter a dog conformation show. 

7. Others

Some breeders will decide to provide essential socialization and puppy training to their dogs before they send them home to their new owners.

While you will likely end up with a more well-rounded puppy this way, it can mean your new puppy will be more expensive. 

In addition, some breeders may also provide microchipping services, which can also increase the upfront price you will pay for your puppy.

Initial and Long-Term Ownership Costs

Purchasing your puppy is just the first cost of pet ownership. You need to budget for many other things when you get a new pup.

This includes purchasing food and water bowls, getting dog food, buying a leash and collar, getting him a bed or crate, buying grooming essentials, and supplying your pet with toys. 

All these combined items can set you back a further $300 or $400.

You will also need to budget for various things during your pet’s life.

Some of the most important ones include veterinary bills and medical care, toys and entertainment, grooming and feeding, and essential supplies your pet needs.

1. Vet Bills

Your puppy must be taken to the vet for regular checkups, all his essential vaccinations, and deworming.

You can expect to pay around $100 for him to get vaccinated, plus another $50 or so in deworming medication.

Some breeders will include these initial expenses in their overall costs, so be sure to check.

You’ll also need to give him preventative flea and tick medication, particularly as a working breed that spends a lot of time outdoors around other animals.

These preventative medications will set you back around $200 a year.

You’ll likely also want to spay or neuter your dog when they are old enough.

Again, this is something your breeder may cover, but if not, you’re looking at around $200 for a vet to perform this procedure. 

Common health issues and estimated costs to treat them

Kangals are known to be very resilient dogs with few health problems. That said, some common diseases can affect this breed. 

These include hip dysplasia which causes deformation of the hip joint and can lead to problems with mobility.

If this condition is severe, your pup may need replacement hip surgery which ranges between $3500 and $7000.

They are also susceptible to entropion, a genetic eyelid deformation that can irritate your dog’s cornea.

Getting this rectified through corrective surgery will fetch between $500 and $1500.

Finally, lipoma is a disease that can affect your Kangal dog in middle age and causes fat tumors to form on his body.

While not life-threatening, these benign tumors can cause severe discomfort for your canine. Removing them will range about $200 to $500 per lump.

2. Feeding Expenses

Your puppy will need high-quality dog food that provides all the supplements he needs to build strong muscles and bones.

Additionally, as a large breed, you’ll want to invest in puppy food specifically made to ensure slow growth. 

As your pup ages, he will likely need a high-protein diet for working dogs with high-energy needs.

These types of premium dog foods will be $85 a month in the region. You’ll also want to set aside around $25 a day in dog treats for your pup.

3. Dog Grooming Expenses

While Kangals don’t need regular visits to the groomers, they are heavy shedders and must be brushed regularly to get rid of any excess hair.

You will want to buy some pet shampoo and a dog brush to keep at home so that you can care for your pet.

Shampoo can be about $10 a bottle, while a good quality dog brush will set you back at around $15. 

4. Pet Insurance Fees

Investing in pet insurance is essential as it will help cover any unforeseen medical expenses that might arise during your dog’s life.

Some pet insurances also pay toward regular vet checkups and preventative medications.

Depending on your chosen policy, you should look at spending around $240 a year on pet insurance.

5. Environmental Maintenance

You’ll need to clean up after your puppy when he is still in the potty training phase if you want your environment to look and smell great.

A good urine stain and odor remover will fetch around $25, while a poop scooper can be bought for about $20. 

6. Pet Entertainment

Robust and quality chew toys will help keep your Kangal Shepherd entertained and help with jaw and muscle development.

They will also save objects around your house from being destroyed. Make sure you invest in quality toys that can last a while. These will be around $25 a toy.

7. Pet Supplies

Some of the supplies your Kangal dog needs will include a good quality food and water bowl, which are around $20, a strong and sturdy leash and collar, which are about $20, and a large, sturdy dog crate or a pet bed which is around $45.

Estimated Expenses For Owning this Breed

Other things that can add to your expenses during your Kangal’s life include dog walking, puppy daycare, registration, and training.

If you walk all day or travel a lot and can’t be at home to exercise or look after your dog, you’ll want to set aside a bit of money for a dog walker, daycare, or pet sitter. This can fetch around $15 a day.

If you decide to sign your pet up to compete in agility or conformation shows, you must register him with the official kennel club. This registration is around $90.

Finally, if you want to invest in your pet’s behavioral or special skill training, you can expect to pay $100 per month.

Average Monthly & First-Year Expenses

Knowing the average monthly cost of owning a Kangal dog is worthwhile so that you can work out if this falls within your budget.

When you add up the expenses for food, training, toys, treats, and vet visits, you’re likely to spend around $150 to $200 a month on your dog.

As a new pet parent, you need to budget for medications, regular vet visits, dog licenses, and supplies, as well as leave a bit of money aside or take out insurance for any unforeseen expenses. 

When you factor all of these expenses on top of the initial purchase fee of your puppy, you’re likely to spend between $3500 and $4000 in the first year of pet ownership alone.

Lifetime Expenses

Getting a pet is a big commitment; you must ensure you can afford it before getting a puppy. Kangals have a life expectancy of between 10 to 13 years.

During your pet’s life, you can spend between $21500 and $35000 on your dog. 

The exact amount you will spend will depend on if you always opt for premium brands or if you can find cheaper alternatives and how healthy your dog is.

Are they more expensive than other dog breeds?

Yes, the Kangal is not a cheap breed of dog. The rarity of this breed works to drive up prices.

As these dogs are also sought after by farmers as working ranch dogs, they tend to be more expensive than your average companion animal.

Conclusion: Should You Buy a Kangal Dog?

Kangals are not a good choice of dog for first-time owners. These large dogs need plenty of socialization and a lot of space.

But if you’re looking for a hard-working farm hand that can provide a good deal of protection while being good with the family, then you can’t go wrong with this breed.

Because they are pretty rare, you may struggle to find a breeder in your area, and you could end up paying a pretty penny for your puppy, particularly if he comes from an award-winning lineage.

You’ll also need to factor in all the expenses to look after your dog during his life.

Do you have a Kangal dog? Does he help you out on the farm, and where did you buy him? We would love to hear all about you and your dog in the comments below.

Reference

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kangal_puppies.jpg