Is the Kangal a List Dog or a Fighting Dog? (Answer)

Most of us know the terms list dog or attack dog – and also which dog breeds fall into this category/s.

What about the Turkish Kangal? Is the Kangal a List Dog or a Fighting Dog?

And if so, what does that mean for you as the owner? We will tell you the important answers in the following guide.

Is the Kangal a List Dog or a Fighting Dog?

Yes the Kangal is listed as a dog in Hesse and Hamburg. Colloquially, a list dog is also referred to as a «fighting dog».

List dogs are dog breeds that a) are considered to be particularly dangerous or b) are said to have an increased potential for aggression and danger.

Many federal states divide these rat lists into two corresponding categories:

• Category 1: definitely dangerous
• Category 2: suspected dangerous but refutable

In this case, refutable means that the respective dog must pass a character test.

This is then evaluated as an expert opinion and accepted by the responsible authorities.

Does your Kangal fail this character test? Then the Kangal is considered a (potential) list dog or fighting dog.

What exactly is a list dog and what is a fighting dog? Let’s take a quick look at the definition of the two terms.

list dog

In Germany – and also in Austria and Switzerland – there are so-called rattle lists. These list dog breeds that are considered (potentially) dangerous.

If a dog breed can be found on such a breed list, it is considered a list dog – or investment dog.

Depending on the categorization – i.e. 1 or 2 – this can sometimes mean massive requirements for the dog owner and the dog.

Listed dogs are also subject to breed-specific legislation, more precisely the Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance/TierSchHuV.

This came into force almost two decades ago and has only recently been partially reformed.

Each federal state also has its own version of the law, which is subject to a uniform federal law.

fighting dog

Strictly speaking, a fighting dog is the same as a list dog. In fact, the term attack dog is something like that «old version» of the term list dog.

This refers to dog breeds that are considered to be extremely aggressive and therefore dangerous.

Due to a supposedly inherently high level of aggression, these breeds were used for dog fights, among other things.

Hence the name fighting dog. This includes pit bull breeds and bulldogs.

In which federal states the Kangal is considered a list dog or a fighting dog, we now look at.

In which federal states is the Kangal considered a list dog or a fighting dog?

The Kangal is actually considered a list dog or fighting dog only in two states namely in the two Hs: Hamburg and Hessen.

Accordingly, there are certain requirements that holders of a Kangal must meet.

Incidentally, the Kangal is not considered a list dog in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia for a specific reason.

These three federal states do not have any breed lists at all – potentially dangerous dog breeds and their owners do not have to fear any restrictions here.

The following table tells you where the categorization list dog/fighting dog applies to the Kangal.

Federal StateList dog yesList dog noCategory (if any)Baden-Wuerttemberg x Bavaria x Berlin x Brandenburg x Bremen x Hamburgx k. AHessex k. AMecklenburg-Western Pomerania x Lower Saxony x North Rhine-Westphalia x Rhineland-Palatinate x Saarland x Saxony x Saxony-Anhalt x Schleswig Holstein x Thuringia x

How does classifying the Kangal as a list dog or attack dog affect keeping?

The classification as a list dog has an effect on Kangal owners in Hamburg and Hesse bureaucratic requirements such as proof of a personality test out of.

In addition, it may be necessary to submit a certificate of competence and a police clearance certificate.

character test

The character test is for listed dogs – including the Kangal – something like a personal certificate of good conduct.

A character test is carried out either by a veterinarian, a veterinary office or the public order office.

The dog is tested for the following things:

• contact with other dogs
• contact to people
• contact with the environment
• obedience

The behavioral test can be carried out on a dog from the age of 15 months.

By passing the character test, the assumed danger of the Kangal can be refuted.

However, if your Kangal fails this character test, it will be classified (again) as a potentially dangerous dog breed.

certificate of competence

A certificate of competence is an expert opinion that must be submitted by the dog owner. It serves to prove that you are capable of owning a dog.

For this you have to prove your knowledge both practically and theoretically.

Criminal record certificate

The police clearance certificate indicates whether you, as a future Kangal owner, already have a criminal record or not.

You must not have a criminal record for keeping a list dog. And the fact should be proven by the certificate of good conduct.

Muzzle and leash obligation

If a dog is classified as a list dog, it must wear a muzzle in public. He is also not allowed to be off a leash among people or in contact with other dogs.

garden fencing

A fenced garden is intended to prevent a (listed) dog from leaving dad’s property and becoming a danger to those around him.

If a list dog falls into category 1, the requirements are even stricter. There is also an obligation to sterilize or castrate.

Because you want to avoid that these alleged fighting machines can multiply on four paws.

Incidentally, this includes not only purebred breeds, but also crosses with dog breeds that are not necessarily listed dogs.

You also have to reckon with the fact that the dog tax due for your dog will be significantly higher than for a non-listed dog breed.

It is also likely that you will have to take out dog liability insurance for your Kangal as a list dog or attack dog.

This is mandatory for ALL dog breeds in the following federal states:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Lower Saxony
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Schleswig Holstein
• Thuringia

This means that you also have to take out liability insurance for your Kangal in these federal states.

Since Hamburg already has the breed as a list dog, this can still mean that the dog liability insurance is calculated at a significantly higher rate.

Do you have a Kangal and if so in which state? What was your experience there? We look forward to reading these in the comments.