Dog Breeds > Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a large and passionate pet and guard that can be useful as both pet and companion. Very active and protective, it would try its best to keep everything inside your house or your flocks secure and sound.
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Fascinating Facts
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was originally from the Asia Minor and its purpose is to provide protection for the flocks and give company to the shepherds. Centuries ago, this dog was used in hunting and war. Also known as Anatolischer Hirtenhund, Chien de berger d’Anatolie, Karabas, Perro de pastor de Anatolia and Coban Kopegi.
Physical Appearance
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a hardy, slender and powerful guard dog that looks like Kuvasz and Great Pyrenees. The standard height and weight of a fully-grown Anatolian Shepherd Dog is about 28 – 30 inches and 100 – 50 pounds respectively. The head is relative to the size of the body with a rectangular black muzzle. This dog has dewlap and dark lips. The eye rims and the nose are also black.
The ears are triangular in shape are set high on both sides of the head. The muscular neck is strong, thick and with dewlap. The deep chest touches the elbows. The front legs are straight and strong. The tail is long and it is set high when the dog is excited. The thick and short double coat is usually thicker around the neck and tail. Normally, the coat is seen with black markings in any part of the body. Any coat color is possible and accepted.
Grooming
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog has two types of coat; the medium length and long. This breed requires little grooming though the coat needs to be regularly brushed during shedding season. The rest of the year would be fine. Check for ticks and burrs occasionally. Bathe if necessary.
Mood
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a massive dog can be put into two uses; pet dog and flock guard. Basically, the pet and the guard dog share the same temperament. This breed is very protective, with strong sense of responsibility and alert. This dog has amazing stamina, especially the guard dog. They are intelligent, born leaders and calm. This dog is brave but not necessarily aggressive.
This breed is quite touchy particularly on how things are arranged inside its territory – the house. It barks loudly as if to alert everyone to tell that a certain thing is out of its place. The same attitude can be expected on the guard dog. It barks on unfamiliar person and animal and heavily protects its territory. This dog is eager for its master’s attention and affection and can be a little sensitive if it was reprimanded.
A spoiled Anatolian Shepherd Dog can become a little uncontrollable, possessive, and too distant to strangers and little animals inside the house. Handlers/trainers/owners should be firm and persistent about the leadership inside the house so that the dog would not think that they are the alpha or the leader of the house.
With Children
This active dog is gentle and loyal. It can become a good playmate for children with enough age to handle its strong and fast movements. Warn your children not test this dog’s patience because it may bite them if they are too rough or mean on the dog. Do not let small children play with this dog unsupervised because it may accidentally knock them over.
Training & Exercise
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a breed with remarkable stamina. It is very inactive indoors especially if this dog is the only animal inside the house. It needs plenty of exercise outdoors or in a secured fenced yard in order to become satisfied. 2 – 3 hours of long or brisk walk is the recommended exercise for this breed.
Training this breed takes time because this dog is born proud. Although this breed is an excellent guard dog, it is not a social animal. It usually takes patience to teach this dog to interact with unfamiliar faces and animals. Food reward challenges would greatly help the trainers/owners/handlers improve the dog’s focus.
Health & Life Expectancy
The normal longevity of the Anatolian Shepherd is about 12 – 15 years. This dog known is to be susceptible to hip dysplasia and eye entropion. This dog is also sensitive to anesthesia. Research shows that this breed takes long to develop its own immune system that’s why owners/trainers/handlers should be giving the Anatolian proper vaccination to prevent illnesses.
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