Anatolian Shepherds protect their flock and family with devotion and deep compassion. If you're thinking of welcoming this large, loveable breed into your home, our guide to their care, health and temperament will set you up for success and show you how Petsecure can support your new companion.
History of Anatolian Shepherd dogs
The Anatolian Shepherd is a compelling breed bred to protect goats and sheep with minimal supervision. This ancient breed originated in Anatolia. Today, Anatolia is a peninsula that makes up the Asian portion of Turkey, giving this breed their remarkable name. Also nowadays, many Anatolian Shepherd dogs continue to keep sheep and goats safe while also excelling at being a loving family companion.
Anatolian Shepherd characteristics
- Height – 27 to 29 inches
- Weight – 80 to 150 pounds
- Coat type – short and straight
- Colour – They feature a beautiful range of colours, such as tan, white and black, allowing them to blend in among farm animals. Also, many sport a darker fur around their face called a melanistic mask, which gives them the appearance of a mask on their face.
Anatolian Shepherd temperament
These dogs are famous for being extremely loyal, highly intelligent and hardworking. As a guardian breed, Anatolian Shepherds are deeply devoted to their families and vigilant around strangers they are unsure of. This could lead to them barking and making decisions independently rather than looking to their owner. Anatolian Shepherd dogs are confident thinkers making them a perfect match for owners who lead with gentleness and self-assurance.
Due to their instinctive nature, Anatolian Shepherd dogs do wonderfully in families with children ages eight and older who know how to interact respectfully with large dogs. While they are calm and balanced rather than playful, they are loyal protectors for children who will watch over them with endless love.
Anatolian Shepherd lifespan
Anatolian Shepherd dogs are a sturdy breed with a lifespan of 10 to 13 human years.
Health problems for Anatolian Shepherd dogs
Overall, this breed is exceptionally healthy! Keeping up with routine preventive care is a brilliant way to make sure your furry friend enjoys a long colourful life.
Here are a few areas to be up to date on:
Hip dysplasia
- They have a higher chance of hip joints not aligning properly
- Asking your vet for a routine hip evaluation is a simple way to ensure your dog has strong joints
Elbow dysplasia
- Just like their hips, they have a higher chance of bones in the elbow not aligning correctly
- Being proactive by checking with the vet to get an elbow evaluation helps keep your dog moving comfortably
Anesthesia awareness
- They are more sensitive compared to other breeds and can take them longer to recover from anesthesia
Gastric dilation and volvulus
- This is a form of bloating that is severe in deep chested dogs like Anatolian Shepherds but is highly manageable with the right care
- It can occur when there is a large amount of gas and food in your dog’s stomach after a big meal that prevents the stomach’s natural outflow
- Being aware of this is helpful, as severe cases can put pressure on the diaphragm, affect breathing, decreased blood flow and impact heart health
- Some signs to look out for so you can act quickly are vomiting, abdominal discomfort and a swollen abdomen
If your Anatolian Shepherd has any signs of these health conditions, please go to your vet so you can treat the symptoms early on. Then you can enjoy spending time with your furry friend, worry free!
Care tips for Anatolian Shepherd dogs
- Ears – check and gently clean them every one to two weeks to look out for signs of infection
- Grooming – their thick coat is weather resistant and only sheds twice a year, so regular brushing once a week makes it a fantastic opportunity to bond
- Exercise – a long walk one or two times a day is perfect for this breed. Since many enjoy water, swimming and watersports make fantastic bonding activities.
- Training – obedience training is needed, as they are very independent dogs, but reward-based training is a brilliant way to channel their intelligent minds
- Diet – keep them energized and healthy with two measured meals a day for adults or three or four small meals for puppies
- Environment – a home with a fenced yard for your Anatolian Shepherd is recommended so they have room to roam and stretching. This breed does best with plenty of outdoor space, meaning that apartment or condo living is generally not a good fit.
Types of Anatolian Shepherd dogs
Anatolian Shepherd dogs have beautiful variations depending on the region of Turkey they come from and colour! While, the United Kennel Club recognizes the Anatolian Shepherd, Kangal and Akbash as distinct breeds, the American Kennel Club considered them as different types of Anatolian Shepherds.
Karabash
In Turkey, Anatolian dogs with a dark muzzle are called “Karabash” which translates to “black head” in Turkish. This charming name perfectly describes their beautiful dark mask that covers their face.
Akbash
These dogs have a beautiful snowy white coat. Fittingly, the word “akbaş” means “white head” in Turkish.
Kangal
Coming from the Kangal district of the Sivas province, these marvelous dogs share a striking resemblance to the Anatolian shepherd and are celebrated for their strength and devotion.
FAQ
Anatolian Shepherd vs. Kangal
Both beautiful breeds are very similar as they both look alike and originate in Turkey. The main difference is that Kangal dogs are often slightly larger, whereas Anatolian Shepherds offer a wider variety of coat colours. Both Turkish dogs would be a great addition to your family regardless of these distinctions!
Do Anatolian Shepherd dogs bark a lot?
Anatolian Shepherds are naturally quiet and generally reserve their bark for times when they want to alert their owner to something new in their environment. This means if there is a loud noise or a stranger, your Anatolian Shepherd may bark thinking they are protecting you. This vigilant behaviour shows their caring and protective nature!
Should you adopt an Anatolian Shepherd dog?
Yes! This endearing, loyal breed will fill your life with love, protection and endless friendship. They make an outstanding addition to the right home and will bring a lifetime of happiness.
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