Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Show Breed

Find

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Compare with

Size: Extra-Large
Other Names: Anatolian Shepherd, Karabash, Kangal-type livestock guardian (regional types vary)
Country of Origin: Turkey
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Working
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Working
United Kennel Club (UKC): Guardian Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Utility
The Kennel Club (KC): Pastoral
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Herding
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Utility

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a tall, powerful livestock guardian with a large head, dropped ears, and a thick tail that curls over the back when the dog is alert. The coat is short to medium, with a heavy ruff on the neck.

A livestock guardian for land, not a flat: a heavy coat, night barking, and a temperament built to watch a flock at a distance.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a Turkish flock guardian, bred to live with sheep and goats and to discourage wolves and strangers. Related landrace types exist across Anatolia. The AKC places the breed in the Working Group; the UKC classes it as a Guardian Dog.

Height: Male: 29 inches minimum; Female: 27 inches minimum
Weight: Male: 110–150 pounds; Female: 80–120 pounds
Color: Fawn, brindle, white, or pinto, often with a black mask
Coat: Short to medium double coat; thicker in winter
Lifespan: 11–13 years
Litter size: 6–10 puppies

Temperament

This is a calm, independent guardian, not a golden-retriever-style companion. It is typically loyal to its own people, watchful at night, and reserved with visitors. It needs space and a clear role.

Training

Socialize early and use firm, quiet handling. The breed was selected to think for itself on the steppe, so it will test inconsistent rules.

Care and grooming

Brush weekly, and more often when the undercoat blows. Growing giants should not be jumped or run hard on slick floors.

Shedding

Seasonal and heavy when the undercoat blows.

Health

Anatolians may develop hip dysplasia, entropion, and bloat. Grow puppies slowly and avoid hard exercise after meals.

Crosses that include the Anatolian Shepherd Dog

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

Anatolian Pyrenees

Top

View Privacy Policy

Pup.com accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the advertisements placed on the Pup.com website or for the contents of any website to which a hypertext link from Pup.com links. The Seller Ads and links to products and/or services are provided as a service, and Pup.com gives no warranties, expressed or implied, about the information and/or policies of the Seller Ads or the linked-to webites, or of the information shown.

Pup.com is the sole owner of the services and of all information provided by and posted to the Pup.com website. The use, reproduction, or storing of content for any purpose other than to contact a Seller, purchase a product or service, or compare prices is prohibited. You cannot use the information provided by Pup.com to recreate a directory, rebrand the informaton or redistribute the information in any way. Information provided by Pup.com is for individual, non-commercial use only. All information, processes and content contained within and that make up the services are the sole property of Pup.com. You may not reproduce, duplicate or redistribute any information provided by Pup.com for profit or personal gain of any kind. You may not frame any content or pages contained within the Pup.com website unless expressly granted permission by Pup.com.