Aksaray Malaklisi
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox dog breed
| name = Aksaray Malaklisi
| image = Aksaray malaklisi beto.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image2 =
| image_alt2 =
| image_caption2 =
| altname = {{ubl|Malaklı Karabaş|Turkish Mastiff|Anatolian Lion}}
| stock =
| country = Turkey
| height =
| maleheight = {{right|{{cvt|75-85|cm|in}}}}
| femaleheight = {{right|{{cvt|70-80|cm|in}}}}
| weight =
| maleweight = {{right|{{cvt|65-85|kg|lb|round=5}}}}
| femaleweight = {{right|{{cvt|60-70|kg|lb|round=5}}}}
| coat = short
| colour = pinto, grizzly, and brindle
| litter_size = around 10
| kc_name = Turkish Dog Federation
| kc_std = https://www.turkishdog.com/breeds-of-turkey/breed-standard-malakli/
| note =
}}
The Aksaray Malaklısı or Malaklı Karabaş is a Turkish breed of large flock guardian dog from the Aksaray Province in central Anatolia.{{r|Ograk2018|Büyükleblebici2019|Aslım}} It is also known as the Turkish Mastiff or the Anatolian Lion.
It is recognized by the Turkish Dog Federation. Some have been exported to other countries, where they are used either in their traditional rôle as flock guardians, or are kept as household guard dogs.{{Cite web|date=14 September 2019|title=China's han sheep under protection of Turkish mastiffs|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/life/2019/09/14/chinas-han-sheep-under-protection-of-turkish-mastiffs|access-date=27 August 2023|website=Daily Sabah|language=en}}
History
The Aksaray Malaklısı is named for the Aksaray Province in Central Anatolia.{{Cite web|date=4 August 2019|title=Turkey's Aksaray Malaklısı used by Assyrians as war dog 2,500 years ago, breeders association says|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/life/2019/08/04/turkeys-aksaray-malaklisi-used-by-assyrians-as-war-dog-2000-years-ago-breeders-association-says|access-date=27 August 2023|website=Daily Sabah|language=en}}
Genetic analysis has shown it to be a distinct breed from other Turkish livestock guardian dog breeds, including the Kangal, Akbash and Kars.{{r|Aslım}}
Characteristics
The Aksaray Malaklısı usually stands between {{convert|70|and|85|cm|in}} at the withers and weighs between {{convert|60|and|85|kg|lb|round=5}},{{Cite web|title=Malaklı|url=https://www.turkishdog.com/breeds-of-turkey/breed-standard-malakli/|access-date=27 August 2023|website=Turkish Dog Federation inc.|language=en}} with a body length of some {{convert|79|and|83|cm}}.{{r|Ograk2018}} It is usually grey in colour with a black mask; the coat is short. The head and ears are large, the jowls are pendulous, and the tail is straight.{{r|Ograk2018|Büyükleblebici2019|Aslım}} The "malakli" part of the breed name is said to be due to their pendulous jowls.{{r|Büyükleblebici2019|Aslım}}
The dogs only obey commands from the master, and can be aggressive with other people. They typically do not tolerate working with other dogs of the same sex.{{r|Aslım}}
Their lifespan is 13–15 years.{{r|Aslım}}{{failed verification|date=January 2025}}
Use
The Aksaray Malaklısı is used in its homeland to protect flocks of sheep from predators, especially wolves. A pair of the dogs – always a dog and a bitch – can protect some 700-800 sheep.{{r|Aslım}}{{page needed|date=January 2025}}
Some have been exported to other countries, where they are used either in their traditional rôle as flock guardians, or are kept as household guard dogs.{{Cite web|date=|title=Turkey's Aksaray Malaklısı guard dog enjoys worldwide popularity|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/turkeys-aksaray-malaklisi-guard-dog-enjoys-worldwide-popularity/news|access-date=28 August 2023|website=Daily Sabah|language=en}}
References
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{{Turkish dogs}}
{{Livestock guardians}}