A native of Asia Minor, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is any shepherd’s companion. It is related to the Karabash (or Kangal Dog, the National Dog and National Treasure of Turkey). Guarding sheep on the Anatolian Plateau where summers are very hot and winters are very cold, this breed has no problem with the climate. Other than being a sheepdog, it is an excellent watchdog. Some are of the opinion that this breed is the descendent of Mesopotamian hunting dogs, and was developed with time to meet certain specific requirements. Yet, some others are of the opinion that it is a cross of Karabash and Akbash. It got its recognition in 1995 by the American Kennel Club.
Measuring 28 to 30 inches in height and weighing 100 to 150 pounds (females are little lesser), the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a rugged, powerful and large guard dog. It is slender and agile unlike the Kuvasz and Great Pyrenees. The head and the body are in proportion to each other—the head is little rounded with a slight stop, strong, and large. The rectangular muzzle is black. So are the lips that hang slightly. It has pendant, triangular ears with a rounded black (mostly) tip. The eyes are almond-shaped, set apart, dark brown to light amber, and mediumsized. The muscular, powerful and slightly arched neck has a slight dewlap. Deep chest reaches the elbows. Compared to the legs, the back is short but muscular, leveled, and powerful. The front legs are well apart and straight. The tail, when relaxed, is carried low with the end in an upward curl; otherwise, it is long and carried high when alert. The double coat (two types—medium long and medium length) that is longer around the tail and collar, comes in variety colors—white, fawn with black mask, brindle, and pinto. During seasonal shedding—it is a heavy shedder shedding twice a year—thorough coat brushing is required. Otherwise, it requires very little grooming.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog, with excellent hearing, sight, endurance and speed, is a born flock guard and not a herding dog. Unwavering, intelligent, calm, brave, non-aggressive, and alert, it is quite easy to train. It has unwanted barking habit. So, if you live in an apartment or closed neighborhood, you need to train it to socialize, be obedient, and to bark only when required from a very early stage. Do not let the dog walk all over you; then it becomes very possessive. In fact, it must be trained to feel that you are the leader. Impart motivational training but be confident, consistent, firm and loving. It is very and over protective by instinct. A very demanding dog, it can be dominant and stubborn. Where children, family friends, other pets, and other dogs are concerned, make sure to introduce them properly to this breed. With strangers, it is very suspicious—the owner needs to be always on the guard. It needs to be exercised regularly and long walks/jogs/runs. Its diet should include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fatty acid, and the likes.
The life expectancy of an Anatolian Shepherd Dog is about 12 to 15 years. The health problem that might crop up is hip dysplasia. It is more prone to eyelid entropies or hypothyroidism.
Measuring 28 to 30 inches in height and weighing 100 to 150 pounds (females are little lesser), the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a rugged, powerful and large guard dog. It is slender and agile unlike the Kuvasz and Great Pyrenees. The head and the body are in proportion to each other—the head is little rounded with a slight stop, strong, and large. The rectangular muzzle is black. So are the lips that hang slightly. It has pendant, triangular ears with a rounded black (mostly) tip. The eyes are almond-shaped, set apart, dark brown to light amber, and mediumsized. The muscular, powerful and slightly arched neck has a slight dewlap. Deep chest reaches the elbows. Compared to the legs, the back is short but muscular, leveled, and powerful. The front legs are well apart and straight. The tail, when relaxed, is carried low with the end in an upward curl; otherwise, it is long and carried high when alert. The double coat (two types—medium long and medium length) that is longer around the tail and collar, comes in variety colors—white, fawn with black mask, brindle, and pinto. During seasonal shedding—it is a heavy shedder shedding twice a year—thorough coat brushing is required. Otherwise, it requires very little grooming.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog, with excellent hearing, sight, endurance and speed, is a born flock guard and not a herding dog. Unwavering, intelligent, calm, brave, non-aggressive, and alert, it is quite easy to train. It has unwanted barking habit. So, if you live in an apartment or closed neighborhood, you need to train it to socialize, be obedient, and to bark only when required from a very early stage. Do not let the dog walk all over you; then it becomes very possessive. In fact, it must be trained to feel that you are the leader. Impart motivational training but be confident, consistent, firm and loving. It is very and over protective by instinct. A very demanding dog, it can be dominant and stubborn. Where children, family friends, other pets, and other dogs are concerned, make sure to introduce them properly to this breed. With strangers, it is very suspicious—the owner needs to be always on the guard. It needs to be exercised regularly and long walks/jogs/runs. Its diet should include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fatty acid, and the likes.
The life expectancy of an Anatolian Shepherd Dog is about 12 to 15 years. The health problem that might crop up is hip dysplasia. It is more prone to eyelid entropies or hypothyroidism.