Koyun dog
The Rize Koyan is a breed of livestock guardian dog from north Black Sea shore in Turkey. The Rize Koyan is named after the town of Rize, the breed is found throughout Rize and Ordu provinces in the north-east Black Sea region of Turkey. The breed resembles the Kars, with a solid body and strong legs. Their structure allows the dogs to navigate the Canik Mountains, where these dogs are typically found. When the dog alerts by adopting a posture where the tail raises with a curve and the dog stands high with confidence. Dogs stand approximately 70 cm (28 in), bitches a centimetre or two less. The coat can be various colours, although dark grey is most common; bi-coloured examples are known. This dog is typically not a pet, but a working animal for the household to aid in vocal or physical warning of possible danger that may occur. These dogs were bred to protect their owners and the properties.
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Koyun dog
Finding a responsible Koyun dog breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Koyun dog. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Koyun dogs appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Koyun dog breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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