Anatolian Shepherd Breed: the born protector who doesn’t back down from anything

This large, powerful, commanding breed still operates as a shepherd dog in many places today, guarding the flock against predators. However, if someone wants to keep it as a family pet, there are a few things they need to be aware of.

The Anatolian Shepherd is an extremely independent, strong-willed personality who is very reserved with strangers. It is recommended only for owners who are assertive and have a leadership personality, as this dog easily takes control. Nevertheless, it is a calm, well-balanced dog who is not afraid of anything and even keeps one eye on its surroundings while resting.

History

The breed originates from the territory of modern-day Turkey and has a very ancient lineage. Its ancestors were once hunting dogs, but the breed gradually evolved into more of a guardian and protector, becoming a shepherd dog for herding flocks. They were bred to protect their owner’s livestock with minimal human supervision. They are capable of keeping wolves, bears, jackals, and even scavenging for food at bay. Anatolia refers to the central part of modern-day Turkey, hence the breed’s name. Anatolian dogs were only found in Turkey for centuries, where they were highly esteemed.

According to the AKC, a couple of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs were imported to North America just before World War II to participate in the strictly secret “Sheperd Dog Project“. The mission was to discover which breeds best met the needs of American breeders. Anatolians’ importation from Turkey began in the 1950s. Lieutenant Robert Ballard was the first to begin breeding the breed in the West. The arrival of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs in America coincided with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). To comply with this law, breeders needed to keep predatory wolves away from their livestock without killing them. Due to the nature of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, which intimidate rather than fight predators, they became an ideal choice for livestock owners.

Kangal or Karabash?

The word “Karabash” means “black head” in Hungarian, referring to the dark mask of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. Therefore, the breed is often also called Karabash. The Kangal bears a striking resemblance to the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. So much so that the FCI and the American Kennel Club consider them as one breed. However, the United Kennel Club (UKC) categorizes the two dogs as separate breeds. The name Kangal comes from a specific area of Turkey, the Kangal district of the Sivas province, where these dogs predominantly guard the flock. The Kangal is a national treasure and the official breed of Turkey. Kangal dogs are sometimes also referred to as Karabash. Those who consider the Kangal a separate breed state that Kangals are still strictly guarded dogs in Turkey to this day. The export of purebred Kangals is prohibited, only possible in special cases and through complicated procedures.

Anatolians for Cheetahs

Since 1994, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have been assisting in cheetah conservation efforts in Namibia. One of the reasons for the significant decline in the cheetah population was that farmers killed cheetahs to protect their livestock. Therefore, the Namibian Cheetah Conservation Fund launched a program encouraging people to use Anatolian Shepherd Dogs to protect their herds, thus reducing the need to exterminate cheetahs. Anatolians have reduced livestock losses by 80-100% on farms where they are used, and this strategy has been highly beneficial for cheetah conservation.

Breed standard

In our country, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is subject to the FCI breed standard for Kangal. The breed is a large-sized, powerful, muscular dog with a dark mask. It is not aggressive but protective, quickly appearing when there is trouble. Its compact, rectangular-shaped, robust body is covered with thick, weather-resistant, dense fur. Its coat is 3-7 cm long (depending on the weather) and close-fitting to the body. The outer coat is coarse, while the undercoat is dense. The fur is longer and thicker on the neck, thighs, and shoulders. Its color is light, white, or light tan, or shades of these. A dark mask is always visible on the head. The height at the withers for males is 72-78 cm, for females 65-73 cm. The weight for females is 40-50 kg, and for males 48-60 kg.

Its head is large but proportional to the body, with a longer skull than width. Its nose and lips are black. Its teeth are strong with a scissors bite. Its eyes are almond-shaped, relatively large, and brown. Its ears are moderately large and triangular. Its neck is slightly arched and muscular. Its chest is deep, and its body is muscular and powerful. Its tail is long, reaching slightly below the hock. In a relaxed state, it is carried low, with its tip slightly curled. When alert, the dog carries its tail high. Its expected lifespan is 10-13 years.

Character

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is extremely independent, but it’s a misconception that it cannot bond with its owner. It enjoys making individual decisions, which is essential for its original work. Its nature is calm, balanced, but when it senses trouble, it acts immediately. It faithfully protects its territory and the entrusted livestock, always attentive to any sound. It is highly intelligent, confident, and instinctively performs its tasks. It is not aggressive, but it always guards its territory, hence it is reserved around strangers. It’s advisable to start its socialization as early as possible and expose it to many other dogs during its puppyhood. While not particularly playful, it can be a loyal protector for children.

Ideal environment

It feels most comfortable in a large area, but it doesn’t have a high need for exercise. During livestock guarding, it often rests, but it always keeps one eye on the herd, so nothing escapes its attention. Although due to its size, it may accidentally bump into small children, it still considers them part of the “herd” and protects them.

The Anatolian Sheperd Dogs are capable of adapting to everyday life, but they still excel in their original work to this day. In the USA, they remain popular shepherd dogs, with many using them to protect their livestock against jackals, wolves, and other predators. This breed does not attack lurking predators, but with its strong presence (sometimes 2-3), it easily intimidates them into retreat. It is important for their owner to be a decisive, leadership personality capable of properly training such a powerful dog.

Care

Due to its nature, the breed is naturally clean, so there isn’t much for the owner to do in terms of grooming. The Anatolian’s coat requires minimal brushing, but heavy shedding can be expected several times a year. Extra brushing during shedding helps remove dead hair. Bathing is only necessary occasionally. Regular cleaning and checking of the ears and eyes are important.

Common health problems

Overall, the Anatolian Shepherd is a healthy and robust breed. They may be prone to hip dysplasia and gastric torsion, common in large-sized dogs, but these occur less frequently compared to other breeds. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs can be sensitive to anesthesia, and owners need to ensure that their veterinarian is aware of this before any procedure. Entropion and demodicosis can also occur in some cases.