In this study, some reproductive traits of Kangal and Akbaş Dogs reared in different housing conditions were examined. Dogs in the first group (control group) were sent to flocks except for the period from last week of pregnancy to 48th days of whelping (weaning stage). During this period, the dogs were kept in individual houses (1.5 x 1.5 x 1 m) placed in a wire-enclosed exercise area (3 X 4 m) in sheep barn. Dogs in the second group were tied to an iron ring which could move along a steel cable (25 m) fixed to individual houses (1.5 x 1.5 x 1 m). Dogs in the third group were housed in a kennel with a wire-enclosed outside exercise run (2x5 m) and an enclosed housing area (2x2 m).

There were 4 Kangal and 4 Akbaş bitches in each group. Some reproductive traits of a total of 24 dogs were observed throughout two years. Dogs in the groups were the same ages and were fed with the same ratio.

The percentage of dogs showing signs of estrous were 96.87 %, 71.87 % and 56.2 % (P<0.05); whelping rates were 96.67 %, 85.71 % and 72.22 %; interestrous intervals were 192.64, 242.80 and 263.38 days (P<0.01); average litter size were 6.14, 6.28 and 6.77 (P>0.05); average gestation lengths were 59.41, 60.22 and 61.23 days (P<0.05); average birth weights were 561.40, 542.74 and 529.89 g (P<0.01) in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There were significant differences concerning percentage of stillbirths and the number of puppies at weaning in favor of control group (P< 0.05).

According to the results of the study, it can be said that dogs reared under natural conditions demonstrate better reproductive performance than those reared in the other two housing systems in the study. It can also be said that, in designing kennels, adequate exercise areas are necessary to ensure optimum fertility in Turkish Shepherd Dogs