Overview
The Tarsus çatalburun takes its name from the city of Tarsus in southern Turkey and from its most striking feature: a nose divided down the middle into two lobes. It is one of only a few split-nosed breeds in the world and is kept almost entirely in its home region, where it works as a pointer on partridge and other small game.
Very little is written about the breed beyond Turkey, so treat any dog you meet as an individual pointer first. Expect a medium-sized, short-coated hunting dog with a strong scenting instinct, good stamina, a close bond with its owner and a reserved manner with strangers.
Exercise and walking needs
A working-bred pointer of this kind needs around an hour and a half a day with the chance to move at pace and use its nose. Open farmland, heath and the edges of woodland suit it; a short pavement loop will leave it restless.
Pointers tend to range further than spaniels, so a long line is the realistic compromise until the recall has been tested and found solid. In hot weather the dog copes better than northern breeds but still wants water and shade.
On the walk
- Scent: Watch for the sudden freeze and the raised head: the dog has found a bird. Let it hold the point for a moment, then move it on quietly rather than yanking the lead.
- Recall: Likely to be decent with a known handler and weaker with a new one. Keep a long line on for the first weeks and reward every return.
- Other dogs: Hunting dogs in Turkey usually live and work alongside others, so most are tolerant. Watch for over-excitement when another dog starts to run.
- Strangers: Reserved rather than friendly. Give the dog time to assess you and avoid asking strangers to pet it on the first few outings.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a long line and a whistle, and agree the recall cue with the owner before the first walk.
- Choose routes with open ground and cover edges rather than busy parks full of dogs.
- Check the nose and lips after scrub walks; the split nose can collect seeds and dirt in the groove.
- Give the dog a job on the walk, even a simple search for a thrown dummy, to channel the hunting drive.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog been worked on game, and how does it react to pheasants, partridge or pigeons on a walk?
- What recall cue and whistle do you use, and how far will the dog range before checking in?
- How does it behave with strangers and with new dogs, and is there anything that makes it anxious?