Anatolian Shepherd Dog
History of the breed
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a breed of dog from Anatolia (central Turkey) and bred for guarding flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, jackals, and even cheetahs.
The breed's ancestors most likely migrated to the area now known as Turkey about 1000A.D. with Turkic-speaking people, although it is probable that dogs similar to this existed at least 6,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Many Turkish breeders believe that the anatolian shepherd dog was the combination of the Turkish kangal dog and the akbash dog. Over the centuries, regional variations began to develop, although the dogs were collectively known as coban kopegi, i.e. "shepherd dog". In the 1970s, western breeders became interested in the dogs and developed standards for the regional breeds; the Anatolian is one of those breeds, coming from central Turkey.
Appearance of the breed
The Anatolian is a muscular breed, with thick neck, broad head, and sturdy body. Its lips are tight to its muzzle and it has triangular drop ears. It stands 28 to 32 inches at the withers and weighs between 88 and 145 pounds, with females on the smaller side and males on the larger side. The coat may be any color, although most common are white cream, "sesame," and white with large colored spots that do not cover more than 30% of the body—known as piebald—these colors may or may not be accompanied by a black mask and/or ears. Two basic coat types: medium length and medium long, with short or rough double coat; the outer coat is smooth and the length may vary greatly depending on the season and the dog's lineage.
Temperament of the breed
Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are one of the larger breeds; this 7-month-old Anatolian might not yet be full size. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was developed to be independent and forceful, responsible on its own for guarding its master's flocks. These traits make it more challenging as a pet; owners of dogs of this breed must determinedly socialize the dogs to turn them into appropriate companions. They are intelligent and can learn quickly but might choose not to obey; this is not generally a dog for a beginning or shy owner. They become very protective of other animals in the household, and will treat them as their "flock." They have also been known to kill bears to protect their charges. According to Turkish shepherds, three Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are capable of overcoming a pack of five wolves and kill one of two of them.
Health Concerns of the breed
The median life span for the Anatolian Shepherd Dog was 10.75 years. This is a typical longevity for purebred dogs in general, but several years longer than most other breeds of their large size, which generally have median longevities of 6-8 years.
The most common health issues cited by owners of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs were dermatologic, musculoskeletal, and lipomas. Entropion and canine hip dysplasia are sometimes seen in the breed. Eyes and hips should be tested before breeding.
Litter size: 5-10 puppies
Life span: 12-15 years
