About
Natural Born Guardians
Our Passion for Boz
Breeding and Raising Turkish Boz Puppies Since 2010
Natural Born Guardians is a small, purpose-driven breeder dedicated exclusively to the Turkish Boz Shepherd. Our mission is to preserve and advance this rare landrace working dog by breeding for function first - sound temperament, physical capability, health, and true guardian instinct.
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The Turkish Boz Shepherd is valued for its ability to protect without unnecessary aggression. These dogs are confident, discerning, and deeply bonded to their people and livestock. We focus on producing dogs that can think independently, make good decisions under pressure, and perform the work they were developed for over countless generations.
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Every breeding decision we make is guided by respect for the Boz’s heritage and real-world performance. We do not breed for trends or convenience. We breed with the long view in mind - maintaining power, stability, and purpose - so that each puppy represents the best of what this breed is meant to be.
Our Story
The Natural Born Guardians Family
Natural Born Guardians was founded in 2010 by Brian Peckinpaugh, whose curiosity and determination played a central role in introducing the Turkish Boz Shepherd to the United States. Brian first encountered photos of unusually large Kangals and began asking questions that led him to Turkey. Through that search, he connected with Akin TulubaÅŸ, and what began as a conversation grew into a long-standing friendship and working partnership.
Together, Brian and Akin helped bring the Boz Shepherd out of obscurity, navigating significant challenges to import and establish the breed outside of Turkey. At a time when the Boz was largely unknown in the U.S., Brian committed himself to preserving the dog as a serious working guardian - distinct from, though related to, the Kangal - and to educating others about what ownership of such a powerful breed truly requires.
In December 2025, Brian passed away suddenly, leaving a profound loss within the Boz Shepherd community in the United States. His work, however, did not end with him. His son, Brice Peckinpaugh, has stepped forward as the caretaker and owner of Natural Born Guardians. Raised around Boz Shepherds and deeply familiar with their nature, Brice shares his father’s respect for the breed and commitment to responsible stewardship.
Today, Natural Born Guardians continues with the same principles Brian established: honesty about what these dogs are, careful placement, and an unwavering focus on preserving the Boz Shepherd as a capable, balanced, and formidable guardian. Brian’s legacy lives on in every dog we produce and in the standards we refuse to compromise
