Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd is a giant breed bred and developed to work and live with humans and guard large herds of livestock over challenging terrain. The breed is believed to be more than 6,000 years old and originated in Asia. That said, as a breed, the Anatolian Shepherd boasts that its roots lie in 11th-century Turkey and first appeared on the Anatolian Peninsula around that time.

The exact origin of the breed is the subject of much debate, but over the years many regional variations have developed, believed to be descended from what is known as the Kangal dog, so named after the region in Turkey where they first appeared.

Turkish shepherds at that time needed a strong, independent-thinking dog to help them guard their large herds of goats and sheep. They called their dogs Çoban köpegi, which means "sheepdogs" from Turkish. They had to be hardy because they stayed with their flocks in all weather conditions, even when there was thick snow on the ground. These sheepdogs also had to be strong and brave, so they could stand their ground and defeat larger predators while guarding their herds.

These dogs were valued so highly that if someone killed one, they had to pay the owner a certain amount of grain, which had to be as big as the Anatolian they had killed, measured by hanging a dog with its tail on the ground.

In ancient times, it was a matter of 'survival of the fittest', which meant that only the best dogs were kept and bred, but thanks to the size of the region, there were many varieties of Anatolians who saw dogs with different coloured coats and different characteristics. .

Although as mentioned earlier, Anatolians lived alongside humans, they were never kept as pets. There are stories about Turkish farmers who placed a collar with nails around a dog's neck to help them ward off predators. Today, many of these striking dogs still wear this type of collar in their native Turkey.

Very few female dogs were kept and if there were any, they stayed in the settlements or villages, while 2-3 male Anatolians would be taken to guard the livestock. It was also customary to keep only the best pups and kill the rest. Shepherds also cut off the ears of a young working dog to prevent them from being torn off by predators, which could lead to serious infections.

Anatolians were rarely fed by their shepherds and were expected to find their own food, which they did with great success. Never would an Anatolian attack the herd they were guarding to find food, no matter how hungry they were.

Whatever their true history, the Anatolian shepherd dog became popular in the West in the 1970s and especially in the US, where they still boast a large fan base. The breed was first recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1995 and then here in Britain, although Anatolian shepherds are still rarely seen here. However, they are the national dog of Turkey and a breed recognised by the Kennel Club.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Anatolian Shepherd a vulnerable breed? No, it is still quite rare in Britain, which means that not many puppies are registered with the Kennel Club every year. As such, anyone wanting to share a home with an Anatolian should register their interest with breeders to like it.
• Anatolians have been highly valued in Turkey throughout time, not only for their excellent guarding abilities, but also for their loyal and dedicated character
• They are direct descendants of an ancient mastiff breed originally from the Middle East
• Anatolian shepherds have an amazing sense of smell
• They are very big dogs, but are known as 'gentle giants'

Height at withers: Males 74 - 81 cm Females 71 - 79 cm
Average weight: Males 50 - 65 kg Females 40 - 55 kg

The Anatolian Shepherd is an impressive and imposing mastiff-type dog. They are powerfully built and long, with unusual and striking dark facial masks that make them stand out in the crowd. Their heads are large and broad and the dogs have a slight crease between their eyes and a slight stop. Males have wider heads than their female counterparts. Their lips are slightly pendulous and both lips and nose are black in colour.

Their eyes can be golden to brown in colour and quite small in relation to the size of a dog's head. They are set far apart and quite deep with nice black rims. The ears are medium-sized and triangular and rounded at the extreme tip. Dogs wear their ears flat against their heads and hang down, although when a dog is excited or alert, they hold their ears slightly higher. They have a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite with their upper teeth neatly overlapping their lower teeth.

Their neck is powerful and well-muscled, the dogs hold it slightly arched and their shoulders are muscular and nicely sloping. The front legs are straight, well boned and well spaced. The Anatolian has a deep chest and well-arched ribs with a nice flat topline and slightly arched loins. The bellies are neatly raised, contributing to their athletic, powerful appearance.

The hindquarters are strong but lighter than a dog's forequarters, while the hind legs are well-muscled. Their feet are strong with well-curved toes and short nails. The tails are long and set high and are carried low by dogs with a very slight wave in them when relaxed, but they carry them high with the tip curled up when excited or alert, which is especially true of males.

When it comes to their coat, the Anatolian Shepherd has a short thick coat with a dense undercoat that lies flat against the body. The hair is slightly thicker and longer around a dog's neck, on its shoulders and tail, but without any feathering on its legs or ears. All colours are allowed and dogs can have a black mask and ears or not. The accepted breed colours for registration with the Kennel Club are as follows:

• Fawn with mask
• Grey fawn with mask
• Red fawn with mask
• Tricolour
• White No mask

Gait/movement

When an Anatolian shepherd moves, they do so with a relaxed, powerful and smooth gait. They keep their heads high and straight and show a tremendous amount of drive in their hindquarters.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or deviations from the breed standard and rates faults based on the extent to which they affect a dog's overall health and welfare, as well as their performance.

In males, both testicles must be fully descended into their scrotum and it is worth noting that a dog may be slightly lighter or heavier, as well as slightly taller or shorter than set out in the Kennel Club's breed standard, which is given as a guideline only.

The Anatolian Shepherd is slow to mature, with males not really maturing until they are about 4 years old, while their female counterparts mature slightly earlier at about three years old. They are not the best choice for novice owners, as these dogs need to be handled and trained by someone related to the breed or this type of large and impressive dog.

Despite their large size in the right hands, the Anatolian Shepherd is known as a gentle and calm dog. They are hardy and long-lived, but they can be quite territorial, simply because it is in their nature to guard and protect.

They are also highly intelligent and independent, which means they need to be well socialised when young to curb their natural guarding instinct. Allowing a dog to display this kind of behaviour can lead to problems later in the dog's life. They can sometimes be quite loud, but only when they hear unfamiliar noises or are aware of something they do not like in their surroundings.

They are often wary of people they do not know, although an Anatolian shepherd rarely shows any aggression towards strangers. With this said, they form a strong bond with their owners and families.

Are they a good choice for starters?

Anatolian shepherds are not a good choice for novice dog owners as they need to be socialised, handled and trained by people familiar with the specific needs of such a large, independent-thinking and intelligent dog. Anatolians will take over if allowed and will be the dominant force in a household, which can make living with them extremely difficult.

What about prey drive?

Anatolians do not have a high prey drive and will only pursue another animal on the rare occasions or when they feel threatened. As such, they can usually be trusted around livestock and other domestic animals, simply because it is in their nature to 'protect' rather than hurt. There are stories of female Anatolians suckling lambs and other baby animals, showing how low their prey drive is.

What about playfulness?

The Anatolian Shepherd is not as playful as many other breeds, as they take their "job" very seriously. Even as puppies, they are generally not that "jumpy", but this does not mean they do not have crazy moments when they feel like it.

What about adaptability?

Because they are such large dogs, Anatolians need plenty of space to express themselves as they should, which means they are better suited to people with large, high, fenced, secure backyards where a dog can roam wherever possible. This allows them to let off steam when they want and need it.

What about separation anxiety?

Although Anatolians form strong bonds with their families and have a strong need to guard and protect them, they are not known to suffer from separation anxiety because they are so independent by nature.

What about excessive barking?

Anatolians are not known as "barkers" and will generally only express an opinion when they feel the need to, which is usually when something is happening around them that they do not like or when there are strangers around.

Do Anatolian shepherds like water?

Most Anatolians love swimming and go into the water whenever they can, especially when the weather is warm. But if someone has a dog that does not like water, he should never force him to go in, as it will only scare him.

That being said, caution should always be taken when running a dog loose near more dangerous watercourses, in case a dog decides to jump in or falls in and then has to be rescued because it cannot get out of the water on its own.

Are Anatolian shepherds good guard dogs?

Anatolians are natural protectors and do not need to be trained to look after or watch over their families, as this is a trait deeply embedded in their psyche. Their impressive size alone is enough to deter most trespassers when they first see an Anatolian.

Because they have such a strong will, it can be difficult to train them, especially if their training does not start early enough in their lives. It takes a lot of patience, consistency and understanding of the breed to train an Anatolian Shepherd, and even then there is no guarantee that these dogs will be 100% obedient.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to socialise puppies from an early age, so that as adult dogs they are more tolerant of things and this also applies to dealing with other dogs.

Like all puppies, Anatolian puppies are very cute and it is easy to forget that they quickly grow into very large dogs. So once a puppy is settled in a new home, owners should start, as they want to keep in mind that Anatolians are naturally dominant dogs and will benefit from things if this is allowed, including being an "alpha dog" in a household.

Rules and boundaries should be set so that a puppy understands what is expected of him, which also helps establish a "pecking order". The first commands a puppy should learn are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Heel
• Quiet
• Let it
• Down

Anatolian sheepdogs are known to be gentle when around children, but their size alone can be a problem. Be careful when they are around very small children and toddlers, as they might accidentally knock them over, which could scare or even injure a child. In short, they are not the best choice for people with very young families, although an Anatolian shepherd would never intentionally hurt a small child.

They can be aggressive towards other dogs, which is especially true of males, even if they are well socialised from a young age. Any contact with other small animals and pets, including cats, should be avoided, as an Anatolian shepherd's instincts could take over with disastrous consequences.

The average life expectancy of an Anatolian shepherd is between 13 and 15 years if it is cared for properly and given an appropriate diet of good quality appropriate to its age.

The breed is known to be hardy and therefore does not seem to suffer from the many hereditary and congenital conditions that many other purebred dogs suffer from. That said, they are known to suffer from hip dysplasia, for which dogs can be DNA-tested and if the results are positive, they should not be used in a breeding programme.

• Hip dysplasia - dogs should get a hip score
• Elbow dysplasia - dogs should be tested
• Congenital deafness - test available through the Animal Health Trust (AHT)
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Epilepsy
• Cardiomyopathy
• Autoimmune thyroiditis
• Bloating/stomach torsion

What about vaccinations?

Anatolian puppies would have received their first vaccinations before being sold, but it is up to their new owners to ensure that they have timely follow-up shots, with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection immediately, but would be fully protected two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

There has been much debate about the need for dogs to have boosters. Therefore, it is best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to receive annual vaccinations, also known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

Many vets today recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them, meaning they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. Therefore, they recommend neutering male dogs and spaying bitches when they are between 6 and 9 months old, and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are six months old, but never before unless for medical reasons. That said, many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

Like other breeds, Anatolians can gain weight after being spayed or neutered and it is important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline in case that is the case. If a dog starts to gain weight, it is important to adjust its daily calorie intake and increase the amount of exercise it gets.

Older dogs are also more prone to weight gain and again, it is essential to feed and train them accordingly, as obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. This is because it puts extra strain on a dog's internal organs, including the heart, which can be fatal.

As with any other breed, Anatolian shepherds need regular grooming to ensure their coat and skin remain in top condition. They also need regular daily exercise to ensure they stay fit and healthy. In addition, they should be fed good-quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for an Anatolian shepherd puppy

Anatolian puppies are rambunctious and sprightly, which means it is essential that homes and gardens are puppy-proofed well before they arrive. A responsible breeder would have socialised his puppies well, which always leads to more extroverted, confident and friendly dogs from the start.

That said, any puppy will feel vulnerable when it leaves its mother and littermates, which should be taken into account. The longer a puppy can stay with its mother, the better, but this should never be too long either.

It is best to pick up a puppy when there are people around for the first week or so. This is the time a puppy needs to settle down. Making the house and garden puppy-proof means putting away all tools and other implements that a noisy dog might cause. puppy might injure himself.

Electrical wires and cables should be kept out of their reach, as puppies like to chew on things. Poisonous plants should also be removed from flowerbeds and from the house.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should. This means creating a quiet place that is not too far away so they can retreat into it when they want to take a nap. It is important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It is also a good idea to keep "playtime" indoors nice and quiet and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden, which means puppies will quickly learn to be less noisy when inside.

The documentation provided by a breeder for a puppy should include full details on the date of deworming and the product used, as well as information regarding their microchip. It is essential that puppies are dewormed again, adhering to the following schedule:

• Pups should be wormed at 6 months of age
• When they are 8 months old, they should be wormed again
• Pups should be dewormed when they are 10 months old
• They should be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners should already have in the house before bringing home a new puppy. It is often a good idea to limit the space a puppy takes up, especially if you cannot keep an eye on what he is doing.

Keep in mind that puppies are often quite noisy, which means you need to invest in puppy gates or a playpen that is large enough. giving a puppy the space to express himself while keeping him safe. The items needed are therefore as follows:

• Good-quality puppy or baby gates that fit on doors
• A good, well-made playpen big enough for a puppy to play in, so he can really express himself as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys that should include good-quality chewy snacks suitable for puppies to gnaw on, bearing in mind that a puppy starts to get all sorts of things from 3 to 8 months of age
• Good-quality food and water bowls, which should ideally be made of ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A smoother brush or one with soft bristles
• Dog-specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner to be specially developed for use on dogs
• A well-made collar or harness
• A pair of strong dog leashes
• A well-made dog bed that is neither too small nor too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and at home, large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and bed for when he wants to take a nap or sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise, including Anatolian puppies. It is important to keep noise levels low when a new puppy enters the house. Televisions and music should not be played too loudly, which can stress out a small puppy.

Keeping vet appointments

As mentioned earlier, Anatolian puppies would have received their first vaccinations from the breeders, but they need to get their follow-up shots, which should be organised to their new owners. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection right away, but is not fully protected until two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it is best to discuss them with a vet, as there is much debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever has to go to a kennel, its vaccinations should be fully up-to-date.

What about older Anatolian shepherds when they reach their advanced age?

Older Anatolians need a lot of special care because, as they reach their golden years, they are at greater risk of developing certain health problems. Physically, a dog's muzzle may turn grey, but other noticeable changes will also occur, including the following:

• Coat becomes coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Anatolians may be overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• The immune system does not work as efficiently as it used to, meaning dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs also change mentally, which means their reaction time is slower and therefore they develop the following:

• They are less responsive to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a bit pickier when it comes to their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog may feel disoriented

Living with an Anatolian in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities, but these are easy to manage and should include watching their diet, the amount of exercise they get, how often their dog beds should be changed and keeping an eye on their dogs' condition. teeth.

Older Anatolian shepherds at this stage of their lives should be fed a good-quality diet that meets their needs, while at the same time keeping a close eye on the dog's weight. A rough feeding guideline for older dogs is as follows, keeping in mind that they should be fed easily digestible food that does not contain additives:

• Protein content should be between 14 and 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• The fibre content should be less than 4%
• The calcium content should be 0.5 - 0.8%
• Phosphorus content should be 0.4 - 0.7%
• The sodium content should be 0.2 - 0.4%

Older Anatolians do not need the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog, but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and prevent a dog from becoming overweight. All dogs need access to fresh, clean water and this is especially true for older dogs when they reach their golden years, as they are at greater risk of developing kidney disease.

Anatolian Shepherds have thick short coats, which means it is easy to keep them looking neat. With this said, a weekly brush helps to remove loose and dead hair. Like other dogs, they tend to shed more in spring and then again in autumn, when more frequent brushing is needed to keep things up to date and their coats looking good.

It is also important to check a dog's ears regularly and clean them if necessary. If too much earwax accumulates in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection that is notoriously difficult to clear. In short, prevention is often much easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

Anatolian shepherds are energetic dogs and they need a lot of daily exercise, as well as a lot of mental stimulation, so they can be really happy, well-rounded characters. Ideally, these large dogs should spend at least 2 hours a day with a shorter walk in the morning and then a more interesting and longer walk in the afternoon.

They also benefit greatly from being able to run through the backyard as often as possible, so they can really let off steam without being leashed. However, the fence needs to be very secure to keep an Anatolian Shepherd inside. As such, they would not do well living in a flat, but would thrive in a house with a large and secure backyard.

Not that many of these dogs are bred here in the UK, meaning they can be extremely hard to find. With this said, you would have to pay anything from £700 to over £1,500 for a well-bred pedigree puppy.

The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Anatolian Shepherd in the Netherlands would be €22.34 a month for basic cover, but for a lifetime policy it would be €44.13 a month (quote from February 2018).

When insurance companies calculate the premium for a pet, they take several things into account, including where you live in the UK, the age of the dog and whether it is neutered or spayed.

When it comes to food costs, you need to buy the best quality food, both wet and dry, so you can feed your dog throughout his life and make sure it suits the different stages of his life. This will set you back between €50 and €60 a month. Moreover, you need to take into account vet fees if you want to share your home with an Anatolian shepherd.

This includes initial vaccinations, annual boosters, the cost of spaying or neutering your dog when the time is right, and then their annual health. cheques, all of which quickly add up to more than €1,000 a year.

As a rough guide, the average cost of keeping and caring for an Anatolian Shepherd is between €80 and €110 per month, depending on the level of insurance cover you choose for your dog, but this does not include the initial cost of buying a healthy, well-bred Kennel Club-registered Anatolian Shepherd puppy with a pedigree.