Tarsus Catalburun
10-13 yrs
30-55 lbs
17-24"
Turkey

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Tarsus Catalburun

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Tarsus Catalburun

30-55 lbs

17-24"

Turkey

Turkish Pointer

The Tarsus Çatalburun is also known as the Turkish Pointer and is one of the rarest breeds in the world. He originated in Mersin which is located in the southern Tarsus province in Turkey. It is estimated that there are only about 200 Tarsus Çatalburuns in existence today. He is distinguishable by his fork-like nose or double nose. He is a smart and devoted family companion as well as a fierce pointer. He is treasured as an excellent partridge hunter. The Tarsus Çatalburun has not been officially recognized as a breed; however, those devoted to the breed are pushing for recognition.

                
                Purpose
              
Partridge hunter

                Date of Origin
              
Unknown

                Ancestry
              
Pointer

Tarsus Catalburun Health

Average Size

Height: 17-24 inches Weight: 30-55 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip Dysplasia
Hypothyroidism

Minor Concerns

Skin Problems

Occasional Tests

OFA
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Blood Tests

Tarsus Catalburun Breed History

There are only three dog breeds that are known to have double noses: the Andean Double Nosed Tiger Hound, the Navarro Pointer and the Tarsus Çatalburun. There are some German Shorthair Pointers and Portuguese Pointers that can have a double nose characteristic but this is most likely because they are closely related to the Navarro Pointer. The Tarsus Çatalburun is native only to the Tarsus region which is located in Turkey. This breed is almost completely unknown outside of Turkey and it is very difficult to have one exported from his homeland. Many historians think that this region is where the original mutation of double nosed or split nosed dogs occurred. It is believed that the Spanish and Portuguese took some of the Tarsus Çatalburun from Turkey during the Ottoman Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. He is known simply as the Çatalburun, meaning fork-nose, in his homeland. He is a hunting breed mainly found in the city of Mersin. It is thought that he has descended from European pointers and hounds that were brought in by Turkish nobility. There may also be Greek pointers in his ancestry as well since the Greeks inhabited the Tarsus region for centuries until about 1922. Since there are so few Tarsus Çatalburun in existence, most are heavily inbred. Surprisingly though, there are very few hereditary health issues. He is not recognized as an official breed and there is no official breed standard. Fanciers of the breed are working towards getting him officially recognized as a breed.

Tarsus Catalburun Breed Appearance

The Tarsus Çatalburun has a unique appearance. He has what is commonly called a double nose or a split nose. There are only three known breeds that have this characteristic. He has a short, flat coat that is stiff to touch. Since there is no official breed standard for the Tarsus Çatalburun, there can be varying looks within the breed. Typically, he looks very much like other pointer breeds and has wide, long ears that hang down. He is a medium sized dog weighing on average about 30 to 55 pounds. At his shoulder, he stands on average 17 to 24 inches tall. The Tarsus Çatalburun has been found in several different colors, all piebald patterned with the exception of the tri-color which is black, tan and white. Colors that have been found in the Tarsus Çatalburun include: yellow & white, orange & white, wheaten & white, red & white, black & white and tri-color

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Red

Black

Pied

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Tarsus Catalburun Breed Maintenance

Since the Tarsus Çatalburun is a short-haired dog, his grooming needs are minimal. He does have mild shedding throughout the year. Brush him weekly with a natural bristle brush or a hound mitt to remove dirt and dead hairs to keep him looking clean and shiny. Removing loose and dead hairs keeps those hairs from floating through the air or attaching to your clothing or furniture. He is a high energy dog who tends to get into foul situations. Regular bathing can easily become necessary when he engages in outdoor activities. Do not use harsh shampoos that can dry out his skin. He has ears that hang down; therefore, they need to be kept dry and clean to prevent infection. Check his ears once a week and clean as needed. His nails should be trimmed as needed, usually every two to three weeks. A routine dental plan is necessary to keep his teeth and gums healthy.

Brushes for Tarsus Catalburun

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Tarsus Catalburun Temperament

Generally, the Tarsus Çatalburun is an even tempered dog and is very loyal to his family. He still has a high prey drive and makes an excellent hunting companion. He has acute wind and ground tracking capabilities which makes him ideal for search and rescue, narcotic and police work. He is patient with children when he is properly trained. The Tarsus Çatalburun can be dog aggressive because he is dominant about his property. Without proper training, he can become aggressive toward other dogs and strangers. This makes him a great guard dog but he does require a sturdy fence to keep him from attacking those who come near his property. The Tarsus Çatalburun prefers to live indoors with his family and is generally a quiet breed. He is not ideal for apartment life because of his high energy levels. When trained, he will bow to his trainer’s commands and enjoys his training when positive reinforcement is being utilized.