Dikkulak

The Dikkulak is a Turkish herding and guarding dog whose name means prick-eared, distinguishing it from the region's drop-eared types.

History

It works alongside the better-known Turkish shepherd breeds in Anatolia, herding and guarding sheep and goats, and it is a landrace maintained by herding families rather than a registered breed. Turkish documentation of it is recent and thin, which is a statement about the record rather than about the dog.

Temperament

The breed is known for being alert, hardy and attached to its flock and household, wary of strangers and self-directed at work.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise, secure boundaries and early socialising. The coat sheds heavily and suits Anatolian extremes.

Health

Generally hardy from working selection; nothing is documented as breed-specific. These are patterns for the landrace rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.