This study was performed to compare the growth characteristics of Kangal and Akbaş Turkish shepherd dogs. Live weight records of 141 puppies at birth, 86 puppies at weaning, 68 puppies at 6 and 12 months of age and four different body measurements of 68 dogs at different ages were used for determining growth characteristics. The least squares method was used for statistical analysis. Least squares mean weights of Kangal and Akbaş puppies at birth, weaning, and 6 and 12 months of age were 557.21 and 506.95 g, 5657.35 and 4457.70 g, 21.58 and 19.38 kg, 40.89 and 37.66 kg, respectively. At age 1 year, in Kangal and Akbaş dogs, the average shoulder height was 70.54 and 65.91 cm, rump height was 71.27 and 66.66 cm, body length was 64.05 and 59.43 cm, and body circumference was 78.10 and 71.86 cm, respectively. In conclusion, it was determined that Kangal dogs were superior to Akbaş dogs with respect to all growth characteristics (P < 0.05).

This study was performed to compare the growth characteristics of Kangal and Akbaş Turkish shepherd dogs. Live weight records of 141 puppies at birth, 86 puppies at weaning, 68 puppies at 6 and 12 months of age and four different body measurements of 68 dogs at different ages were used for determining growth characteristics. The least squares method was used for statistical analysis. Least squares mean weights of Kangal and Akbaş puppies at birth, weaning, and 6 and 12 months of age were 557.21 and 506.95 g, 5657.35 and 4457.70 g, 21.58 and 19.38 kg, 40.89 and 37.66 kg, respectively. At age 1 year, in Kangal and Akbaş dogs, the average shoulder height was 70.54 and 65.91 cm, rump height was 71.27 and 66.66 cm, body length was 64.05 and 59.43 cm, and body circumference was 78.10 and 71.86 cm, respectively. In conclusion, it was determined that Kangal dogs were superior to Akbaş dogs with respect to all growth characteristics (P < 0.05).