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Anatolian Shepherd - Working


Anatolian Shepherd

Family:

livestock dog, mastiff, flock guard


Area of origin:

Turkey


Original function:

flock guard


Average size of male:

Ht: 29, Wt: 110-150


Average size of female:

Ht: 27, Wt: 80-120


Other names:

coban kopegi, karabash dog, kara bas, Kangal dog


  • ••

    Energy

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    Exercise

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    Playfulness

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    Affection

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    Friendliness towards dogs

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    Friendliness towards other pets

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    Friendliness towards strangers

  • ••••

    Ease of training

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    Watchdog ability

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    Protection ability

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    Grooming

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    Cold tolerance

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    Heat tolerance

Picture: Kent and Donna Dannen |

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Anatolian Shepherd Temperament

This is a serious dog, devoted to his family and his duty as family protector. At the same time, he is laid back-and easygoing, never on the lookout for trouble. He can be suspicious of strangers and can be territorial. He is good with children. As a serious watchdog, he tends to bark a lot when his suspicions are aroused.

Anatolian Shepherd Care

The Anatolian shepherd needs a chance to exercise every day, either with a long walk or brisk run. Coat care is minimal, consisting only of a weekly brushing to remove dead hair.

Anatolian Shepherd Health

Major concerns: CHD
Minor concerns: entropion
Occasionally seen: none
Suggested tests: hip, (eye)
Life span: 10-13 years
Note: sensitive to anesthesia

Dogs Related to the Anatolian Shepherd

Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Doberman Pinscher
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Komondor
Kuvasz
Mastiff

Interested in the history of the Anatolian Shepherd breed?

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The Anatolian shepherd is an ancient guardian breed with a long working history. His roots probably lie in the Tibetan mastiff and Roman Mollosian war dogs that came to Turkey more than 4,000 years ago. Here Anatolian shepherds proved invaluable as staunch defenders of livestock against formidable predators, including wolves and bears. They accompanied the nomadic shepherds and became widespread over a large geographical region, accounting for the Anatolian's great variation in size, coat type and color. Several traits that remained constant throughout the breed, however, are loyalty, independence and hardiness. The name shepherd is a misnomer because the breed was never used as a herder. His Turkish name, koban copek, means "shepherd's dog." The first of the breed did not come to America until the 1950s, where although he proved himself as an effective livestock guard against coyotes and other predators, he remained unknown to most dog fanciers. Only in the late 1970s and 1980s did the Anatolian shepherd begin to be more widely appreciated, still valued for his utilitarian, rather than cosmetic, attributes. Pet parents desiring a loyal and effective guardian began to acquire the breed. In 1996, the Anatolian shepherd was accepted in the AKC miscellaneous class; Anatolian fanciers are adamant about retaining the dog's working instincts above all else. Upon official recognition as a regular breed, the Anatolian shepherd will be in the working group.


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