Dr. Tekinsen was the Dean of the Veterinary Faculty at Selcuk University in 1996, when he and his colleagues organized the International Symposium on Turkish Shepherd Dogs. The symposium featured a number of distinguished Turkish and foreign presenters, each an authority in some aspect of canine history or husbandry. Several American and British proponents of the Anatolian Shepherd breed presented articles, though none actually argued the Anatolian view at the symposium.
The 13 papers presented at the symposium were published in a historic book, of which we are pleased to have a copy. The letter below was sent out with symposium book copies to all of the major kennel clubs and Turkish dog breed clubs throughout the world.
Some groups, including the American Kennel Club and the Federation Canine International, as well as most of the Anatolian breed clubs, continue to ignore the views of the Turkish people, presented so eloquently in Dr. Tekinsen's for correct recognition of the Turkish breeds. Others, like the United Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Club, have concluded that the Turkish voice deserves to be heard--and have responded by granting full recognition and breed status to genuine Kangal and Akbash Dogs.
We are grateful to Dr. Tekinsen and his colleagues for their efforts
to correct historical misunderstandings among westerners about their native
dogs. We thank those organizations and individuals who have chosen to go
against the tide and give the Turkish people credit for the historical
development and current understanding of their own breeds. We urge
other organizations to do the same!
| Veteriner Facultesi
Selcuk Universitesi Alaedin Keykubad Kampusu 42031 Selcuklu, Konya Turkiye
8 November, 1996 Subject:
The International Symposium on Turkish Shepherd Dogs, which took place on October 23, 1996, in Konya, Turkey, was the first scientific conference on Turkish shepherd dogs to take place in Turkey or, for that matter, in the world. Papers were presented at the conference by highly qualified Turkish and international canine scientists and dog breeders under the auspices of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. The proceedings of the conference were published in a book by the Veterinary Science Faculty, a copy of which is enclosed. The atmosphere of the conference supported the views held by my faculty and myself regarding our native Turkish dog breeds. The basic concept is quite simple: there are multiple Turkish dog breeds. We categorically reject the theory, foreign in origin, that there is only one Turkish dog breed and that this breed should be known as the "Anatolian Shepherd Dog". The native shepherd dogs of Turkey are a Turkish national treasure. That is why we call them, collectively, "Turkish shepherd dogs". Under this general rubric, we recognize at least three native Turkish shepherd dog breeds: The Kangal Dog of central Turkey, the Akbash Dog of western Turkey, and the Kars Dog of eastern Turkey. The Turkish Tazi, as a sighthound, is in a separate class. We recognized the Kangal Dog breed many years ago--long before foreign dog breeders knew about them. They are a unique, regional Turkish dog breed whose purity must be protected. They occupy a special cultural and historical status in Turkish society. This was recognized recently by the issuance of a new Turkish stamp under the title "Kangal kopegi" or "Kangal Dog". Turkish breeding stations, including one here at the Faculty of Veterinary Science in Konya, serve to protect the breed. The correct name for this breed is Kangal Dog; however, some foreign dog breeders call them "Karabash". Another Turkish breed is the "Akbash Dog". This breed is the Turkish counterpart of the Hungarian Kuvasz, the Slovakian Chuvatch, the Polish Tatra, the Italian Maremma, the Greek Sheepdog and the French Great Pyrenees. All are clearly closely related and may descend from the Turkish Akbash Dog. The existence of the Akbash Dog has been confirmed independently by our faculty based on our field studies. Information was presented at the Symposium regarding a major grouping of eastern Turkish shepherd dogs. These dogs, which we know as the Kars Dog, while differing in some respects, are the Turkish counterpart of the Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and other areas of the former Soviet Union. Further field studies are planned. The Turkish Tazi, while similar to the Saluki, is a Turkish native breed. They have been bred here for hundreds of years and were used as hunting dogs by the Ottoman Sultans. We intend to extend our protection to them as well. There are, of course, many cross breeds or mixed dogs in Turkey. This is quite easy to understand when one considers that most Turkish dogs are bred on an unpedigreed basis. I am sending this communication because I have received many letters since the conference expressing different points of view. There is an unfortunate atmosphere of controversy among foreign breeders of Turkish dogs. There is disagreement regarding nomenclature and breed standards. This situation results from a failure on the part of some foreign dog breeders to consult Turkish authorities and to accomplish comprehensive field observations. These problems, which have become politicized among various kennel clubs, are not a Turkish problem. These various groups must settle their differences among themselves. In closing, I must observe that the native dogs of Turkey are our national patrimony. We are quite capable of deciding what constitutes a Turkish dog breed. It is we who will tell foreigners what a Turkish dog breed is and not the other way around. I would ask those addressees who represent the public media to print this letter in its entirety in your publication and send a copy of your publication to me at the letterhead address. For those addresses who represent kennel clubs and private dog clubs, I would ask you to accept our findings regarding the multiple native dog breeds of Turkey. On behalf of myself and my faculty, I wish to thank all of you who are interested in our native dog breeds and especially those who contributed to the success of our Symposium on Turkish Shepherd Dogs. Truly yours, Prof. O. Cenap Tekinsen
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
