Demand on rise for Aksaray Malakl?s?

Interest in the Aksaray Malakl?s?, an Anatolian dog breed, has increased after one of these dogs was gifted to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an during his visit to the central Anatolian province of Aksaray.

Also known as the ?Anatolian lion,? the Aksaray Malakl?s? receives great demand from Turkey and abroad. The puppies of this breed find an owner within a very short time. 

Aksaray Malakl?s? Breed Improvement Association (AKMID) Chairman Muammer T?p?rdamaz said the breed was unique to the Aksaray province and looked like a lion. 

?These dogs are loyal to their owners. Also, the way they are raised is important. If they are raised without seeing people, they become aggressive to people. They are more like sheep dogs. This is why these dogs are so precious,? he said.

T?p?rdamaz said these dogs have become more popular recently and demand was especially on the rise for puppies. Stating the price for puppies rose to between 2,000 and 5,000 Turkish Liras, he said, ?There has been great demand in puppies recently. The Aksaray Municipality gifted a Malakl? to the president a few months ago and this caused this dog to be more popular. Now breeders cannot meet the demand from buyers.? 

Aksaray Malakl?s? breeder Nevzat Tunçbeden said they were happy with the great demand, adding, ?In our farm, we have 50 brood adult Malakl? and 15 cubs, which are in great demand. We send them to Turkey and abroad. We are having difficulty meeting the demand.?