The price of a Kangal Shepherd Dog is quite high, given that it is a massive breed. Of course, expect a bit of a price difference for those who came from champion lines.
Aside from the initial purchase price, there are other expenses that come with maintaining these loyal and protective dogs. These may include the replenishment of basic supplies, among others.
If you are interested in the Kangal dog price, this article will give you the full cost details and tips for the money-savvy dog lovers among us!
The Average Cost of a Kangal Shepherd Puppy
A Kangal Shepherd Dog puppy from a reputable breeder costs around $800 to $1,300. If you are eyeing a Kangal puppy from a superior bloodline, expect to pay around $1,700 to $5,000.
Kangal dogs are typically bred as guardian dogs for livestock on farms and ranches.
They may not be as popular as other companion breeds, but they are desired by many farm owners due to their hardworking nature and herding capability.
Because of their practical purpose, some price them higher than average, especially when they are from a superior bloodline.
Of course, the final price of a Kangal puppy will still vary depending on several other factors, such as the breeder’s reputation, the dog’s pedigree, and more.
Check out this video before deciding to invest in a Kangal Shepherd Dog:
Before you buy a dog - THE KANGAL - 7 facts to consider! DogCastTV!<a href="https://youtu.be/OhVYJjQYppQ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FOhVYJjQYppQ%2F0.jpg" alt="Before you buy a dog - THE KANGAL - 7 facts to consider! DogCastTV!" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Kangal Puppy
Kangal Shepherd Dogs are definitely not a cheap breed. As consumers, it’s hard not to question how breeders price their Kangal puppies.
When you’re paying that much, knowing where your money is being spent is essential.
To help you better understand the different factors that affect the price of a Kangal dog, I came up with a comprehensive list below:
Dog’s Pedigree: One of the main reasons why a Kangal dog is priced higher than normal is because of its blood lineage. If the parents are bred to join conformation shows and performance events, the offspring are most likely to be more expensive. On the other hand, companion dogs fall in the normal price range.
Breeder’s Reputation: Professional breeders take years of practice to learn their expertise. If they have been in the business for a long time, they probably acquired recognition and became members of different kennel clubs. If the breeder is also known for breeding champion dogs, their puppies will be more expensive.
Gender: Female Kangal dogs are more costly than males due to their birthing capability. When the new owner decides not to spay their female puppy, they can generate revenue from their litter. Many breeders start their businesses through this method.
Appearance: Kangal puppies are priced lower or higher depending on their coat color, markings, and other features. If they adhere perfectly to the kennel club standards, they will surely be pricier than those who don’t.
Health Guarantee and Certification: A reputable breeder usually provides a health guarantee for congenital diseases as well as registration papers. These can give you an assurance that they’ll take responsibility for your dog even after you take it home. Expectedly, these are also added to the final price of the puppy.
Disease and Genetic Testing: Breeders have their puppies tested to ensure they are free from any congenital health issues. Upon the request of the owner, they can also get a DNA test to learn about their dogs’ ancestry and origin. This is also included in the cost of your Kangal puppy.
Aside from the ones listed above, there are also some minor factors that affect the price of the Kangal puppy. This includes shipping costs, training, and the demand for Kangal in that particular area.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Kangal Dog From a Rescue?
The typical fee for adopting a Kangal dog from a rescue or shelter is $300 to $400. This excludes shipping fees and other requested services but includes health treatments, spaying/neutering, and dog rehabilitation.
Most people are hesitant to adopt dogs from rescues thinking that they are unhealthy, aggressive, and exhibit major behavioral problems.
However, these organizations make sure that their dogs are medically treated and emotionally supported by their volunteers before being put up for adoption.
Initial Cost of Kangal Dog Ownership
Purchasing your Kangal dog is only the first step in your journey of being a canine parent. Once you are ready to accept this responsibility, you need to prepare your finances accordingly.
It’s never cheap to own a pet, let alone a big dog like the Kangal Shepherd.
To ensure that your Kangal puppy will grow healthy and well-rounded, you need to purchase these essential items before you bring it home:
Food and Treats: As puppies, Kangal Shepherd Dogs need to get the right nutrients to build their bones and muscles. Feeding them premium dog food and treats will help them grow healthy and strong. These will cost you around $100 to $120, given their size.
Food and Water Bowls: Your Kangal puppy also needs good quality food and water bowls to eat and drink from. Bowls ensure that they are getting the right serving of food and amount of water every day. You can get a 2-in-1 bowl for as low as $15 to $25.
Bed: Your dog needs a comfortable resting space that is soft enough to prevent hip and elbow dysplasia. Given the massive size of the Kangal breed, expect to spend at least $50 to $200 on this item. You can also thrift this to save money.
Crate: To help your pup feel right at home when they arrive, you should purchase a dog crate. This will serve as their little sanctuary when you aren’t around and if they want to rest. A sturdy crate typically costs around $60 to $500.
Leashes and Collars: A well-made leash and collar for your Kangal puppy are ideal for walks around the neighborhood. These can be purchased for roughly $15 to $50. Aside from dog walks, these are also useful during training.
Toys: While chew toys are great for entertaining your Kangal puppy, they also strengthen the jaw and face muscles. During the teething phase, chew toys can help prevent unnecessary gnawing on random objects in the house. You can buy this along with other types of toys for approximately $30 to $50.
Grooming Essentials: Your huge dog would benefit from some home grooming. Be sure to purchase a high-quality dog shampoo, brush, nail clippers, scissors, and grooming towels. These items would cost you $40 to $180.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: To prevent internal parasitic infections, deworming should be performed on your Kangal puppy. Meanwhile, to avoid external parasites like fleas and ticks, preventive medications should be provided to your dog. These essentials cost $50 to $200
Initial Vet Visits: Right after you bring home your puppy from the breeder, have it checked by a trusted veterinarian near you. This is to ensure that the breeder discloses the true health status of the pup. An initial visit to the vet can cost $100 to $300.
Initial Vaccine Shots: If your breeder doesn’t cover vaccination, you need to spend around $75 to $200 for your pup to receive the necessary shots. This includes vaccines for parainfluenza, distemper, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and parvovirus.
Neutering/Spaying: Most breeders sterilize their puppies before handing them to their new owners. In case they didn’t, you should allot around $50 to $500 for the procedure. This can be cheaper or more expensive, depending on the vet or center you take them to.
Dog License: Getting a license would make identifying your dog easier in case they get lost. Your municipal office can provide you with an ID tag and dog license number for $10 to $20.
Microchip: Similar to a dog license, microchipping is also helpful in identifying your dog and you as an owner. This chip is inserted into your dog’s shoulder through a non-invasive procedure. Expect to pay $40 to $60 for a microchip.
Miscellaneous Supplies: As you go along with your Kangal dog ownership, you need a few more items, including potty pads, poop bags, urine cleaners, and more. Set aside $15 to $30 for these.
For easier reference, check this recap of all the initial items needed by your Kangal Dog:
If it is not your first time owning a canine companion, you probably own most of the items I listed above. This could help you significantly to cut costs. But if not, be wise and buy in bulk or wait for promos.
Annual Cost of Owning a Kangal Dog
After getting through that first month of owning a Kangal puppy, you should allocate the annual budget for their ongoing expenses.
As a dog parent, you should not only provide replenishments for dog food or treats but also ensure that your Kangal is checked by the vet and is covered by pet insurance.
The following table summarizes all the annual expenses of owning a Kangal dog:
Getting insurance for your Kangal dog is quite a good investment. For starters, if your dog needs to get emergency treatment, your insurance can cover the expenses. You would be able to protect your savings from expensive bills.
Typically, pet insurance costs $800 to $1,500 per year but depending on your policy, this figure can increase.
Of course, these expenses can be significantly lower by keeping your Kangal dog healthy. Don’t skip routine vet visits so they can be diagnosed immediately if they have illnesses. This will cost you $300 to $400 annually.
Other Potential Expenses
Throughout your Kangal Shepherd Dog’s life, there might be situations where you will need a particular service.
Emergencies can also happen at any point that will require immediate attention. Including these unexpected factors in your budget is something you should consider.
The list below shows all of the possible expenses that you might need to pay unexpectedly when owning a Kangal Dog:
Dog Walking Services: If you are at work or you simply have a busy schedule, you can hire a dog walker to ensure that your pup doesn’t skip their daily exercise routine. You can expect to pay around $15 to $20 for this.
Daycare Services: There might be times when you need to travel, and there is no one in your household to look after your dog. To make sure that your Kangal Dog is in good company while you are away, you can pay for daycare services. They usually charge $15 to $20, depending on the length of your pup’s stay.
Emergency Medical Treatment: As your dog ages, they become more vulnerable to diseases. Treatment for any chronic illness is expensive. You may need to cash out around $150 to $1,000 depending on the medication or treatment method required by the vet.
Kennel Club Registration: Having your dog registered at a kennel club is a great advantage. This will allow them to compete in conformation shows and agility competitions. You need to allot $90 to $100 to register your dog. Note, though, that the American Kennel Club recognizes the Kangal as Anatolian Shepherd.
Pet Grooming Services: Grooming your Kangal Shepherd at home is not always a pleasant experience. To lift the burden from you, go to a professional grooming salon and leave it to the experts. Since your Kangal Dog has short, dense hair, the service will cost only around $20 to $35.
Training: If you want your dog to learn a special skill or improve its behavior, you can enroll them in training classes. To get the most effective results, choose a registered and reputable trainer. The minimum fee for these trainers is around $100 to $150.
Aside from emergency medical treatment, all the services in the list above are optional. If you have spare money, go splurge a bit for your Kangal Shepherd. After all, they would reward you with lifelong companionship.
Places to Find Kangal Dog Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Finding a Kangal dog is indeed a time-consuming task. It requires effort to verify if the breeders are trustworthy or not.
Luckily, you can skip all this stress since I’ve come up with a list of reputable Kangal dog breeders and rescues in the United States.
Here are some of the best sources of Kangal Dogs you can check out:
Chippewa Valley Kangals – This kennel is run by a veterinary technician who began to have a passion for Kangal dogs in 2014. The breeder is also a member of the Kangal Dog Club of America. All of their puppies are given early training and necessary vaccinations and health checks.
Skyfiber Kangals – This Kangal dog breeder from Washington specializes in breeding livestock guardian dogs for farms. Their Kangal puppies are all DNA health tested and OFA hips certified.
HexenWald Ranch – This is another breeder from California that breeds Kangal dogs alongside other farm animals. All of their dogs are bred for work and companionship. They are also United Kennel Club registered.
Evans Mill Cattle Company – This is a farm located in Kentucky which breeds both cattle and guardian Kangal dogs. One of the owners is the current president of the Kangal Dog Club of America.
Since Kangals can be expensive, you may want to go the adoption path. This is nobler since you can save a dog’s life, and at the same time, this is also practical since you’ll save money.
If you want to consider adoption, you can reach out to these rescue organizations to inquire about an available Kangal dog:
Kangal Dog Rescue Project – This is a national organization that provides medical services, transportation, and fostering of Kangal dogs until they are ready for adoption. They have been operating since 2000.
National Anatolian Shepherd Rescue (NASRN) – This rescue has been rehoming Kangals/Anatolians from various states. They pull dogs directly from shelters and place them in foster homes before adoption. After bringing home a Kangal from them, they would still extend their hands for any support you might need.
Bluebonnet Animal Rescue – Although this rescue is not breed-specific, they have already rescued a lot of Kangal Dogs and their mixes. They test their rescue dogs’ behavior by letting them stay with their livestock. After the evaluation, they then decide whether the dog should be used for farms or as a family companion.
If the adoption fee from rescues and shelters still intimidates you, you can try looking for Kangal Dogs for free. Check out this guide for more details!
Money-Saving Tips for Kangal Dog Owners
Every dog owner wants to save some extra cash. Luckily, there are ways to avoid spending too much money on your Kangal’s needs without sacrificing their health and well-being.
While these tips are helpful, they may not apply to everyone. Nevertheless, they are still worth looking into.
Adopt from a rescue or shelter. Rather than buying from a breeder, you can choose to adopt a Kangal dog or puppy from a shelter or rescue near your area. This will definitely cost less since you are getting an adult dog. The adoption fee covers all medical treatment and costs of rehabilitating the rescued Kangal Shepherd.
Train your dog at home. Instead of spending a ton of money on hiring a professional trainer, you can try teaching them basic skills and tricks at home. Trainers often charge expensive fees depending on their expertise and the frequency of training needed.
Look for discounts. When buying essential items like dog crates, beds, and toys, try to search for shops offering discounts. Online pet stores also offer promo codes that you can apply during checkout. You can even shop secondhand if you can.
Buy dog food in bulk or prepare raw alternatives. Buying kibbles in bulk can save you a lot of money. Similarly, you can start a raw diet for your puppy, which is also a cheaper alternative.
Groom your dog at home. Learn to groom your dog by yourself through online videos to save the cost of going to a professional groomer. Just boot up YouTube, and you’ll see a lot of detailed guides on what you’ll need and how to groom your Kangal.
Find an affordable veterinarian. Ask your fellow dog owners if they know vets with affordable rates but provide professional service. If you haven’t received any recommendations, check out all the vets in your area and compare prices before choosing one.
Owning a Kangal Shepherd Dog doesn’t have to be painful in the pocket. With the right strategies, you can still provide them with the best life, even if you do not spend much.
Final Thoughts
As evident in this article, the Kangal price is not that cheap; coupled with the ongoing expenses of owning one, they can really do damage to your savings.
That being said, it’s best to take the more practical path while still ensuring that your dog is getting what it needs growing up. Make their health your top priority so you won’t have to spend a lot on expensive medical treatments.
Is the Kangal Dog worth its high price? Are you ready to own one of these massive pooches? Let us know in the comments!
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