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Is it not possible to walk with a very big dog on streets in a city?

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15K views 70 replies 19 participants last post by  Criosphynx  
#1 · (Edited)
I am thinking about buying a Kangal.We talked with a German Shepherd breeder and he said that I wouldn't be able to walk with a Kangal on the
streets,cause he's a very big and very strong dog.We live in a city,so is it really not possible to walk with a Kangal(or any other very big dog) on streets in a city?

Also,should a Kangal's handler be a very strong person for being able to hold his leash on a street?
 
#2 ·
I had no idea what you were talking about, so I googled it and.. HOLY COW!! LoL, the dog in this picture almost looks like a polar bear nom'n down some meat! lol look at the size of those paws!

Image


Size really doesn't matter if all you are talking about is being able to walk down a street. How much time and energy you put into your dog is what matters most if you ask me. Training constantly with your dog is key!!! I do not know anything about this breed, or you, so I cannot say if it is suitable with your lifestyle. I don't think I would personally keep this type of dog unless I lived out in the country where they had all sorts of room to run around.

All I can say is that you should do all the research you can before you decide on what kind of dog to get. Then if possible spend time with some of these dogs before you make your decision.

Remember that most dogs require a ton of exercise and all dogs require a reasonable amount of training. Make sure before you get your dog that you have a fenced in place to let him run loose off leash or be prepared to run long distances yourself as I would think these dogs need a good amount of exercise.

If you live in an apartment, or a house without a yard, I would suggesting looking into a smaller breed.
 
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#45 ·
I think it is EATING a horse...

Jokes aside, of course one can keep big dogs in a city, but with experience, training, more training, socializing, a good sane temperament, more training, more socializing.
It isn't for a beginner.
It isn't always in the best interest of a dog.

Great Danes, they can make good city dogs, and so can certain Mastiffs. Large sighthounds tend to do well in cities.
Flock guardians (as I think this one is?) may need much more exercise than leash walking can provide, and they need a lot of socializing, so they don't see other dogs as 'intruding wolves'.
Any slip ups with this type dog, and you have a tragedy on your hands.
At "best" it is only another dog that gets bitten... at worst a child.

Please think several times more before you bring home a pup like that.
 
#6 ·
I'm sorry but first thing is first. Why would you want a dog that size and bred for guarding flocks of sheep if you live in the city? Second you should not be 5'2 and own a dog that size because if he or she decides it is going after something you will not be able to stop it. And lastly by your post I can assume you have not owned a dog before or atleast only small breeds and this is not a dog you should have unless you are a very experienced dog owner. And preferably of large independent breeds. I'm not trying to be rude or mean but this is a serious undertaking and should be treated as such.
 
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#10 ·
Second you should not be 5'2 and own a dog that size because if he or she decides it is going after something you will not be able to stop it.
youre really going to judge what dog someone can have by how tall they are???? are you kidding me? have you ever heard of training a dog? this is why you do it. you think a lab couldnt do the same? a golden? this is just a silly statement.

i had a dane that came to daycare, he was huge. i say huge and i have a dane whos 130lbs, and he was much taller than mine too. his owner was maybe 5'3" at the most, and tiny. maybe 110lbs. she walked that dog in heels all the time.

im just blown away right now....
 
#7 · (Edited)
A lot probably depends on the temperament & how well trained the dog is, if a dog is under control and not at risk of biting someone who accidently walks too close in a people dense area then i don't think size matters so much.. but a giant dog will take up lot of pavement.
I have 2 greyhounds which can be a bit taller than GSD but lighter build and we've been into the city centres with them a few times, in some ways its easier as people notice a larger dog and can avoid them, but if you stop at a cafe or use public transport then they take up a lot of floorspace which isn't always available. People's reactions are often not as friendly towards larger dogs and probably more so with those that have a harder look. Greyhounds tend to be friendly to strangers so i've less worries about them being protective at the wrong moment in people dense areas, many actually do live in cities as their low energy/exercise needs suits apartment dwellers.

Reading Kangol breed info they do seem like a difficult breed to cater for in a city location and without the right stimulation & training could be a nightmare with a dog that size.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Thanks for your answers.

The dog in the picture is an Akbash Dog,not a Kangal:)Example of a Kangal dog is in the attachment in my this post.

I am a bit experienced,at least I had a Rottweiler for a relatively long time.Kangal seems like a calmer dog than a Rottweiler(but not as trainable as a Rottweiler) some people call them "gentle giant" and they claim that they generally don't show aggression toward strangers without a reason(if they are not in dog's own terriority),they are not people aggressive(but protective) unlike a Caucasian Ovtcharka but they seem like dog aggressive.But of course if they aren't socialized well, they can be people aggressive too.

Esme wrote:
Second you should not be 5'2 and own a dog that size because if he or she decides it is going after something you will not be able to stop it
My main concern is that.
 

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#9 ·
you need to be EXTREMELY careful with any breed of dog that is selectively bred to guard like this... personally, i LOVE giant breeds, as well as the more powerful types (like rotties) BUT they aren't for everyone, IMO, these older (as in more ancient) livestock guardian types are not good as "city" dogs, as they aren't generally very social, and are bred to be independent... i'm not saying it isn't possible to have one, but IME with this breed type, i wouldn't recommend it...



 
#11 ·
A Kangal can get up to almost 300 pounds, they really shouldn't be in the city. My Grandparents had one on their Farm when we were kids. He was HUGE, I will see if she will dig up a picture for me so I can post it for you guys! Really, I think that it would be unfair for a dog of that size to be coped up in the city, some dogs just belong outside and want to have that freedom and that would be one of them! That is my opinion though.
 
#15 ·
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#17 ·
i wasn't disagreeing with you GDM, just saying ;) lol in fact i found that on wikipedia bc i wanted to get the standard/average size of them breed after i read that, i thought 300 was impossible... i've seen HUGE dogs before, that were of healthy weight, but 300lbs is a really, really big animal... i don't think it is likely either... like i said, i was "just saying" as in suggesting where that number could have come from :)



 
#19 ·
200 sounds more like it... ;) even a 100lb dog is pretty darn big, and can do a lot of damage if he chose to do so...
She said they can get up to almost 300 and these dogs can.

Kangal Dog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kangals weight between 176 and 297 lbs.

And I stand firmly by my previous statement.
in general, wikipedia is not a very reliable source of info...



 
#20 ·
Even on the UKC website they say the weight and height may exceed 145 and 32" and should not be faulted if they maintain overall balance. Meaning they can be bigger than that and it wouldn't even be a fault.
 
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#23 ·
that's true esme, but 300lbs would be very very big... i don't really see it happening (the largest/heaviest dog ever recorded was less than that, and very obese) it isn't completely impossible, but just not very likely... not really a size that one should necessarily expect... that said, i agree with your advice on the matter... an animal of that size must be considered very carefully



 
#25 ·
Just because you can walk a horse doesn't mean it won't do some serious damage if it decides to bolt, and the same with a dog who is bred for what this breed is bred for and as big as they are. I didn't say that he shouldn't get a giant breed dog, just not one this big and bred for guarding in the city if he is smaller or shorter. I think the whole idea of having this breed of dog in the city is a bad idea whether your 5" or 6'10.
 
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#28 · (Edited)
oops! i was mistaken, the heaviest dog ever recorded was 343lbs! wow....

There may be 200lbs Kangal individuals,but it's not their ideal weight, their ideal,healthy weight is between 110lbs and 165lbs(maximum).
sorry for focusing so much on how big the dog could potentially be, but it is important to consider the potential damage the dog could do... as well as what the dog is bred for... i said consider not rule out, or villianize because of... *shrugs* just not a breed i would suggest for city life, more because of the combo of size/genetics than the size alone.



 
#29 ·
sorry for focusing so much on how big the dog could potentially be, but it is important to consider the potential damage the dog could do...
without the proper training though any dog can do damage (i cant tell you how many labs have almost ripped my arm off!!). but being breed specific here, city life will not be a good option for it. its just NOT that type of dog. and im not talking just about pulling on leash or something simple. mentally the dog will probably just be a big mess. thus leading into aggression issues, anxiety, stress, etc, etc, etc.....
 
#30 ·
Maybe 297 is bigger than most Kangals and dogs in general. Fine. But I was speaking specifically about Kangals and their nature not giant breeds in general. I love giant breed dogs and prefer the bigger dogs but with that I know there are great risks and that's not saying that all giant breeds should only have tall or bigger owners but with certain breeds I would say that is a big factor and especially in the city.
 
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#36 ·
personally I would not own a LGD without having livestock for it to guard. This is one of the types of dogs I don't feel crossover to being pets very well at all.


If you like that look, and still want a guarding/aloof type, I think an Akita is a better idea. Personally.



 
#38 ·
personally I would not own a LGD without having livestock for it to guard. This is one of the types of dogs I don't feel crossover to being pets very well at all.


If you like that look, and still want a guarding/aloof type, I think an Akita is a better idea. Personally.
Old english sheep dog do well also but thats not on topic. :p
 
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#37 ·
Maybe I should have been more specific in my first post so there would be no misunderstandings. I meant that he should not have a dog that size and of that specific breed especially in the city because those dogs aren't like a Saint Bernard they have a lot more drive and would be hard to control even with training and till you get the training perfected. And being a smaller/shorter person is just going to make it more difficult. Just imagine a 90 lb 6 mon. old puppy who still thinks every cat or dog or small animal is fair game while walking down a crowded sidewalk. I don't think it would be a good situation. ;)

This is MY Opinion. The OP asked for opinions and this is mine if you don't agree with me then that's your opinion and that's what this forum is for. I'm not going to argue all day about it.
 
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#41 ·
XD !! Thanks for the LuLz ScentHound, that picture is great
 
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