ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG
Also known as: ASD, Anatolian, Anatolian Shepherd
HISTORY BRIEF: The Anatolian Shepherd Dog originated in Turkey more than 6,000 years ago. Well-suited to Turkey's harsh climate and a nomadic lifestyle, he served shepherds as the frontline defense against predators. The native shepherds grazed their herds on hills and plains around the settlements. Protection of the hoofstock and the shepherds was the job for the large guard dogs that the shepherds brought with them. Çoban köpegi (Cho-bawn Ko-pey), Turkish for "shepherd's dog".
DESCRIPTION: Large, rugged, powerful and impressive, possessing great endurance and agility. The classic coloring of this breed is fawn (red or gray) with black mask. Other colors may include liver, pinto, white, dutch or brindle, with or without a mask. Short and rough coats can be found within the same litter. Females: weight 80-120 pounds; height 27+ inches at the shoulder. Male: weight 110-150 pounds; height 29+ inches at the shoulder. WORKING CHARACTERISTICS: The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is independent, dominant, low energy, with variable reactivity (generally more reactive than the Western breed such as the Pyrenees or Maremma, but not as highly reactive as the Eastern breeds). Anatolian Shepherds have variable working traits from remaining close to livestock, to taking a distant outlook. They use both patrolling and barking, and will roam without good fencing, Anatolians are territorial and responsive to threats but vary due to the wide diversity of Turkish types in the breed. It is harder to pin down certain traits like nurturing, being good with people and trainability with the ASD than some other breeds because of this diversity. Generally, they are more suited to working homes than as a companions, and due to their increased activity level need homes with more space than some other LGD breeds. Anatolian Shepherds may be very protective, and they may be aggressive to other dogs. |
HEALTH: Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are subject to certain genetic and hereditary diseases and should be screened for these conditions before breeding. Please click the links below to learn more.
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