Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Utility

Group:

Utility

Size:

large

Lifespan:

10-13 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very high

Area of Origin:

Turkey

Date of Origin:

ancient times

Other Names:

Coban Kopegi, Karabash Dog, Kara Bas, Kangal Dog

Original Function:

flock guard

History

This is an ancient breed native to Asia Minor. It is also known as the Turkish Guard Dog where he protects flocks and serves as a shepherd's companion. On the high Anatolian Plateau, where summers are hot and very dry and winters are cold, the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs lives outside all year round. For centuries it was used as a combat dog in war and for hunting. It was particularly valued for the victorious battles it could fight with wolves. As a sheepdog, it was bothered by neither fatigue nor bad weather. Today it is still used as a sheep dog as well as a guard dog.

Temperament

Alert and protective, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is very possessive of its family and home. It must be properly introduced to all strangers. Though Anatolian Shepherds are easy to train and highly intelligent they are not for beginners and require a firm handler. Anatolian shepherds only reach full maturity at around 4 years of age.

Upkeep

The Anatolian shepherd needs a chance to exercise every day, either with a long walk or brisk run. It can live outside in temperate to cool climates. Coat care is minimal, consisting only of a weekly brushing to remove dead hair.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Large, upstanding, tall, powerfully built with broad heavy head and short dense coat. Must have size, stamina and speed.

CHARACTERISTICS:
Active breed used originally as a guard dog for sheep, hard working, capable of enduring extremes of heat and cold.

Temperament:
Steady and bold without aggression, naturally independent, very intelligent and trainable. Proud and confident.

Head and Skull:
Large, broad between ears, with slight stop. Mature males have broader head than females. Foreface one-third of total head length. Slightly pendulous black lips. Square profile. Nose black except in livers.

Eyes:
Rather small in proportion to size of skull, set well apart and deep, showing no haw. Golden to brown in colour. Eye rims black except in livers.

Ears:
Medium sized, triangular in shape, rounded at tip, carried flat to skull and pendant, higher when alert.

Mouth:
Teeth strong. Scissor bite. Lips black.

Neck:
Slightly arched, powerful, muscular, moderate in length, rather thick. Slight dewlap.

Forequarters:
Shoulders well muscled and sloping. Forelegs set well apart, straight and well boned, of good length, strong pasterns, slightly sloping when viewed from side. Elbows close to sides.

Body:
Chest deep to point of elbow, ribs well sprung. Body powerful, well muscled, never fat. Back rather short in proportion to leg length, slightly arched over loins with good tuck-up.

Hindquarters:
Powerful, lighter than forequarters, good turn of stifle.

Feet:
Strong feet with well arched toes. Nails short.

Gait:
Very noticeable level line of body, head and neck when walking, giving impression of stalking, with great power. Pacing acceptable.

Tail:
Long, reaching at least to hock. Set on rather high. When relaxed carried low with slight curl, when alert carried high and curled over back, especially by males.

Coat:
Short, dense with thick undercoat. Slightly longer and thicker at neck and shoulders.

Colour:
All colours acceptable.

Weight and Size:
Mature dogs: 50 - 60 kg ( 110 - 141 lb); Bitches: 41 - 59 kg (90.5 - 130 lb).
Dogs: 74 - 81 cm (29 - 32 in) at the shoulder; Bitches: 71 - 79 cm (28 - 31 in).

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.