Why Police Forces Do Not Use Kangals as Working Dogs
When it comes to law enforcement, the choice of canine companions is a matter of strategic necessity. While some breeds excel in strength and aggression, others offer trainability, obedience, and control. One particularly powerful breed, the Kangal, often raises questions: why don't police use Kangals?
The Kangal: A Powerful Guardian Breed
Originating from Turkey, the Kangal is renowned for its immense physical strength, loyalty, and fierce protective instincts. These dogs were bred to protect livestock against predators such as wolves and even bears. With a bite force of over 700 PSI — one of the strongest among dog breeds — Kangals are undeniably formidable.
Despite these impressive traits, Kangals are seldom, if ever, used in police or military K9 units. Here’s why.
1. Temperament and Aggression
- Too Protective: While protective instincts are crucial for guard dogs, Kangals can be overprotective, acting aggressively toward perceived threats, including civilians.
- Independent Nature: Kangals were bred to think for themselves in isolated environments. This independence often translates to poor adaptability in urban or heavily populated areas, making them unpredictable during police operations.
2. Trainability Issues
- Low Responsiveness: Compared to breeds like German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois, Kangals are less responsive to obedience training.
- Delayed Response Time: Their slower reaction to commands can prove detrimental in fast-paced environments where police K9s need to act instantly.
3. Safety Concerns
- Unpredictable Behavior: Their aggression can be triggered even without direct provocation, especially if improperly trained or handled.
- Threat to Bystanders: In high-traffic public situations, a Kangal’s powerful and potentially lethal response can endanger innocent people.
4. Lack of Breed Suitability for Police Tasks
K9 officers perform highly specialized roles such as narcotics detection, search and rescue, suspect apprehension, and explosive detection. Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherds dominate police work due to their:
- High Intelligence
- Excellent Trainability
- Ability to Work Well in Teams
- Controlled Aggression
Kangals were designed for solitary, rural roles. They lack the social flexibility needed to operate effectively within a human team or obey swift procedural commands.
5. Legal and Ethical Limitations
- Breed Restrictions: In several countries and municipalities, Kangals are classified as potentially dangerous breeds and are subject to strict ownership regulations.
- Lethal Force Concerns: Using a dog with such strong jaw strength could result in unintentional severe harm or fatalities, raising liability and ethical concerns.
6. Practical Challenges for Kangal Deployment
- Size and Stamina: While strong, Kangals are large and slower than smaller, more agile breeds suited for urban foot pursuits.
- Limited Breeding Programs: Most Kangal breeding efforts are centered around livestock protection, not police or military readiness.
Conclusion
While Kangals are remarkable dogs known for their strength and protective instincts, they are not suitable for police work. Their aggressive tendencies, low trainability, and safety risks outweigh the benefits of their powerful stature. Police dogs must be dependable, controlled, and responsive. Breeds like German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois meet those needs far more reliably than Kangals.
In essence, the selection of police dogs hinges not on brute force but on mental acuity, obedience, and adaptability — traits that the Kangal, as a livestock guardian, is not bred to prioritize.
