Herding dog

Officials started inserting chips into Kangals, world-renowned shepherd dogs, to monitor and protect the gene structure of the animals who are native to the Central Anatolian province of Sivas.

The chipping process is being held in a hub named "Kangal Training, Protection and Reproduction" recently opened at Meraküm Hill, a region 10 kilometers away from the city center.

For 30 years, Hüseyin Yıldız has bred powerful shepherd dogs in Turkey's central Anatolian province of Sivas, home of the livestock-guarding Kangal canines that are a source of pride for the country. (Source: The Associated Press)

An Italian regional councilor has called for using Turkey's giant Kangal shepherd dogs to protect flocks of sheep from the increasing number of wolves in Tuscany.

The popularity of the Turkish native shepherd dog breed called ?Akba?? has increased, said president of the Akba? Shepherd Dog Conservation and Research Association (AKAD) Erhan Ulutürk, adding that the waiting list for buying an Akba? was at least five months.