Height: 29+ inches (male); 27+ inches (female). Size: Very
Large.
Weight: 110 to 150 pounds (male); 80 to 120 (female). Availability: Very difficult
to find.
History:
The noble Anatolian Shepherd comes from rural Turkey, where he protects flocks
and serves as a shepherd's companion. On the high Anatolian Plateau, where summers
are hot and very dry, and winters cold, the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs live outside
all year round. The first Anatolian Shepherd Dogs were imported to the United
States in the 1950's, though the first successful breeding program did not get
underway until 1970. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is recognized by the FCI, CKC,
UKC and SKC, and, since 1995, by the AKC. Currently, there are over 3000 Anatolian
Shepherds registered in the United States. Anatolians can be registered with
the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America, Anatolian Shepherd Dog International,
or with the AKC.
Description:
The Anatolian Shepherd is a large, majestic and powerful livestock guardian.
He is capable of great speed, endurance and agility. The head is large, but
in good proportion with the rest of the body. The skull is wide and slightly
rounded, with a slight stop. The rectangular muzzle should be a bit shorter
than the skull, with a blunt profile. The lips are edged in black, and hang
down slightly, however the upper lip should not hang down lower than the bottom
jaw's lower edge. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The V-shaped ears
are pendant, rather small, and have rounded tips. In Turkey, the ears are often
cropped very short. The small, deep-set eyes range from gold to brown in color.
Nose and eye rims must be either black or brown. The thick, muscular neck has
a slight dewlap. The topline is mainly level, though slightly rounded at the
loin. The back is short relative to leg length. The chest reaches to the elbows.
The front legs are straight and set well apart. The tail is set high and reaches
to the hock. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried curled over the back,
otherwise, it hangs low with a slight upward curl. The double coat is generally
fawn with a black mask, though any color is acceptable. Other frequently seen
colors include pinto, white and brindle. Coat length may vary greatly depending
on the season and the dog's lineage. There are two basic coat types, Short (one
inch minimum) and Rough (about four inches). There may be some feathering on
the ears, legs, and tail. All coats have a thick undercoat.
Notes:
Anatolian Shepherd Dogs mature quite slowly, reaching full adulthood at approximately
4 years of age. Hip dysplasia is not a serious problem in the Anatolian Shepherd,
though responsible breeders should still x-ray all breeding stock as a precaution.
Anatolian Shepherds are sensitive to anesthesia. Young Anatolians should be
given extra vaccinations against parvo-virus, as their immunity often takes
longer to develop than with many other breeds. Some lines are prone to eyelid
entropion or to hypothyroidism. Ear infections are fairly common. Some Anatolians
tend to bark at night. Some like to dig. Anatolian Shepherds tend to be pretty
mellow with children, however, since they are quite large, they can accidentally
knock children over during play. Proper training of both dog and child is the
key to success. The Anatolian Shepherd does not drool, unlike many other giant
breeds. The coat needs thorough brushing out during the twice-a-year shedding
periods, but little attention during the rest of the year. The Anatolian does
not eat much for his size, and does best on a low-protein, lamb/rice diet. Though
well-raised and protected Anatolians can live 14-16 years or more, working livestock
guardians have a high mortality rate. Livestock guard dogs live their entire
lives with their flock. Even so, they should be properly socialized with people
(out in the fields) and accustomed to grooming procedures when they are puppies
to make veterinary care possible later in life. Dogs who are destined to become
flock guardians should not be made into family pets, or they will prefer the
family's company to that of the sheep! Anatolian Shepherds guard, but do not
herd, livestock. They often patrol the outer perimeter of their territory, then
find a high place from which to watch over their charges. Anatolians possess
excellent senses of sight and hearing to help them in this work. They check
their "protective zone" around the flock every few hours to be sure
nothing ominous is brewing. If danger approaches, the Anatolian will first bark
a warning, then accelerate and raise the volume of the barking if the danger
persists, signaling the sheep to crowd in behind him for protection. The dog
will attempt to drive the danger away and will only attack as a last resort.
In Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherds wear spiked collars to protect their throats
in battles with predators.
Personality:
Very loyal, alert and possessive. Calm, steadfast and brave, but not aggressive.
Independant, proud and self-assured. Affectionate with his own family, but suspicious
of strangers, especially after reaching adulthood. Strangers should be formally
introduced before the mature dog is asked to accept any familiarities. The Anatolian
Shepherd will not allow anyone onto the family property if the owner is not
home, unless he has had frequent contact with the person, but he is fairly friendly
with those people the family accepts. He enjoys well-behaved children, especially
if raised with them from puppyhood, but should always be supervised and properly
introduced. May be protective of the family children. Extensive early socialization,
obedience training and consistent dominant leadership are essential for this
breed. Because of his independant temperament, the Anatolian Shepherd responds
best to motivational training methods. This dog has his own ideas and will not
cater to the owner's every whim. The Anatolian Shepherd has strong protective
instincts and will guard and protect without any additional "protection"
training. Protective instincts grow as the dog matures, often coming suddenly
to the fore at around one and a half years of age.
Behaviour:
Children: Good only when raised with children from puppyhood.
Friendliness: Fairly friendly with strangers.
Trainability: Somewhat difficult to train.
Independence: Very independent.
Dominance: Very high.
Other Pets: Good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood.
Combativeness: Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive.
Noise: Average bark.
Grooming and Physical Needs:
Grooming: A little grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Medium coat.
Shedding: Seasonally heavy shedder.
Exercise: Moderate exercise needed.
Jogging: A fair jogging companion.
Indoors: Relatively inactive indoors.
Apartments: Not recommended for apartments.
Outdoor Space: Best with a large yard.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
Longevity: Moderately long lived (12 to 15 years).
Talents:
watchdog, and guarding.
Text Copyright © 2000 Telemark Productions. All rights reserved.