The Republic of Turkey is home to many animal and plant species thanks to its geographical location, richness of vegetation and landforms. One of the Endemic Animal species living in Turkey is the Turkish Hound. Since it adapts more easily to hot climates, it is mostly seen in the wetlands of Central and Southern Anatolia today. Especially in Şanlıurfa, Turkey. It is not known exactly where their ancestors came from or whether they chose to live in Turkey since their existence, but when we look at the family tree, there are some clues that they are descended from the Kyrgyz Hound.

 

The Turkish Hound, also known as the Turkish hunting dog, is particularly famous for its sight and sense of smell. Thanks to this ability, the hunted race has various feather colors. Its body and head are quite thin and delicate. They often roam unattended in rural areas and breed uncontrollably. Therefore, they have different colors and appearances from each other. Turkish Hounds, which are very skilled in tracking and hunting, are also domesticated and used as hunting animals.

 

The Turkish Hound's feet are long, the body is thin, the hair is short, the tail is thin and hairless, the head is thin and long, the neck is long, the chest is deep and the abdomen is slanted. The Turkish Hound has been guiding hunters for centuries in hunting mostly quail, partridge, rabbit and fox. According to Turkish Hound age and gender; There are six groups as 0-5 months old male and female offspring, 6-16 months old young male, 6-12 months old young female, 16 months old adult male and 12 months old adult female. When we look at the physical characteristics of Turkish Hounds; men's shoulder heights are between 60-75 cm, and their weight is between 25-30 kg. Shoulder heights of female Turkish Hounds are between 55-70 cm and their weight varies between 20-25 kg.

 

He is also a very fast runner. It can reach a speed of 70-80 km per hour and can maintain this speed for a long time. One of its most interesting features is the technique of catching the rabbit when it reaches these high speeds; approaching from the back of the rabbit quickly, putting its long, thin nose between the rabbit's hind legs, throwing it into the air and leaving the rabbit defenseless in the air. We can say that it was created for running for Turkish Greyhounds, who use the advantages of their athletic structure well. It belongs to the sighthound group. It is impossible for the Turkish Hound, which moves with the agility of a cheetah when it sees its prey, not to catch its prey.

 

Another name is Anatolian Sultan Hound. 15 during the Ottoman Empire. It is known that Mehmet II (Fatih Sultan Mehmet), who provided the Turkish Union in today's Turkey with the conquest of Istanbul in the 19th century, had a study done on the animal species living in Anatolia. Although there is no specific record of the Turkish Hound in the sources of the period, it is known that Turkish Hounds were the closest friends of the hunters during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, one of the grandsons of Mehmet II. Although Süleyman I (Suleiman the Magnificent) is not well known for his hunting interest, based on the miniatures painted by the miniaturists (miniature artists) of the time, we can say that the Turkish Hound accompanied them on the hunts that Süleyman I went out with his princes. In these miniatures, the light brown color, long legs and noble stance immediately catch the eye.

 

This species is docile towards people who feel comfortable in hot climates, and is very loyal to its owners; Currently, it is the dog with the lowest number among the endemic dogs of Turkey. It is estimated that there are around 100 Turkish Hounds according to the latest censuses, which have survived to the present day by preserving the characteristics of the breed thanks to the hunters. The number of Turkish Hounds registered and protected as a breed in 2002 is increasing day by day.