{"data":{"slug":"dikkulak","name":"Dikkulak","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/dikkulak","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/dikkulak","also_known_as":[],"kind":"breed","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"spitz","label":"Spitz \u0026 Primitive","fci_group":5,"fci_group_name":"Spitz and Primitive Types"},"size":"Small","origin":"Turkey","countries":["Turkey"],"height_cm":null,"weight_kg":null,"life_expectancy_years":null,"temperament":["Alert","Vocal","Watchful","Reserved with Strangers","Hardy"],"exercise_level":"High","wikipedia_views_60d":1004,"summary":"The Dikkulak is a small, short-legged spitz from eastern Turkey, kept as a noisy watchdog. It raises the alarm at strangers rather than attacking, and it is rare and declining.","photo":null,"updated_at":"2026-10-28T01:11:40Z","ratings":{"energy":4,"exercise":4,"grooming":1,"shedding":3,"trainability":3,"barking":5,"kids":2,"other_dogs":2},"coat":"Short and close-lying","colors":["White","Black","Brown","Tan","Piebald"],"fun_fact":"Its name is often read as meaning something like \"upright ear\", which fits the erect ears of this small Turkish guard dog.","sections":{"overview":"The Dikkulak is a small, compact spitz from the eastern provinces of Turkey, the same region that is home to the much larger Kangal. Its job is simple: to keep watch over the home and announce anyone who approaches.\n\nIt is a working farm dog rather than a family companion, and it is not often seen outside its homeland. Breeders report that numbers are slowly falling, which makes it a rare local breed.","history":"The Dikkulak developed as a local dog in the provinces of Agri, Ardahan, Erzurum, Igdir and Kars in eastern Turkey. Villagers kept it as a small guard, usually tied up near the house or left to roam within an enclosed yard.\n\nIt was never bred for show, and breeders today say the population is gradually shrinking.","appearance":"The Dikkulak is small and compact, with short legs and erect ears that give it the typical spitz look. Its build is often compared to that of spitz-type herding dogs such as the Swedish Vallhund and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.\n\nThe coat is short and comes in white, black, brown, tan or piebald.","personality":"This is a vocal, watchful dog. It announces strangers with a loud bark, but it is not usually inclined to attack. It is wary of people it does not know and does not make friends with visitors quickly.\n\nWith its own family it is a devoted guardian, but its independent working nature means it is not an easy-going pet.","care":"The Dikkulak is a working dog and needs plenty of daily exercise and room to move about. A secure yard is more important than a small flat, and it is not well suited to life as a quiet house pet.\n\nThe short coat is simple to look after, and a weekly brush is usually enough. Early socialisation and consistent training help to keep its guarding instincts under control."},"recognition":{"fci_number":null,"fci_standard_url":null,"akc_url":null},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikkulak","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123367149","wikipedia_revision":1271769632},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-28T01:10:02Z"}}}