Aksaray Malaklisi

Also called Aksaray Malaklısı, Malaklı Karabaş, Turkish Mastiff, Anatolian Lion

Rare breedShort profile

From Turkey, from Aksaray Province in central Anatolia.1

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male65 to 85 kg1

Weight, female60 to 70 kg1

Height, male75 to 85 cm1

Height, female70 to 80 cm1

Lifespan13 to 15 years1

Sizegiant

powerful, dedicated flock guardian

strongly devoted to its owner

impressive size and presence

Coat and looks how to spot one

short coat

A massive, mastiff-type flock guardian with a big head, large ears, loose hanging jowls and a straight tail, covered by a short coat.1

Coloursgrey with black maskpintogrizzlebrindle1

Personality what they are like

A serious working guardian that is devoted to its own master and reserved with people it does not know. It prefers the company of dogs of the opposite sex when working in a team.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat is low maintenance.1

Home where they are happiest

A rural working dog suited to farms and flocks with plenty of space.1

Company who they like around

Bonds to one master and works well in male-female pairs guarding livestock.1

The story where it all began

This giant guardian comes from the Aksaray region of central Turkey, where shepherds have long relied on it to keep wolves away from their sheep. Local breeders say its ancestors served as war dogs for the Assyrians some 2,500 years ago.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The name Malaklı refers to the dog's heavy, hanging jowls.1
2
A working pair is said to be able to guard a flock of around 700-800 sheep.1
3
Its nickname is the Anatolian Lion.1
4
Litters are large, often around ten puppies.1

Recognised by the official bits

Turkish Dog Federation (KIF): Recognised as a Turkish breed; genetic study shows it is distinct from the Kangal, Akbash and Kars dogs (per Wikipedia). Not an FCI breed.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Aksaray Malaklisi. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year

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Kangal Shepherd Dog

Akbash

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Wikipedia: Aksaray Malaklisi en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields (secondary; cites Turkish breed federation and press sources)

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.