Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a dog breed from Anatolia  and bred for guarding flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, and jackals.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Appearance

The coat can be any colour or length. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog  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 27 to 32 inches (69 to 81 cm) at the withers and weighs between 80 and 150 pounds (36 to 68 kg), with bitches on the smaller side and males on the larger side.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Temperament

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".

Anatolian Shepherd Dog History

The breed's ancestors most likely migrated to the area now known as Turkey about 1000 AD with Turkic-speaking people, although it is probable that dogs similar to this existed at least 6,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. 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 Shepherd Dog  is one of those breeds, coming from central Turkey.