The Anatolian - a natural-born shepherd
The Anatolian was once used for hunting lions and horses, now they are used for guarding flocks of sheep and goats in Turkey.
They are an ancient breed that is regarded as a national emblem in Turkey. The Anatolian is a large powerfully built mastiff type dog.
They are best known for their distinctive facial markings, cream to fawn with a black mask and ears.
They have a short dense coat, which is relatively easy to keep. As a breed they are slow to mature, males can be four years old and females can be three before they are fully mature.
The Anatolian comes in a variety of colours including fawn, brindle and white.
Weight/height range: Dogs measure between 74-81cms at the withers; females are between 71-79cms at the withers. Dogs weigh between 50-64 kg and females weigh between 41-59 kg.
Ailments: The Anatolian has been bred over many centuries and because of this is virtually free from hereditary health problems. They can have wry mouths and bad temperaments. Owners should insist on screening for temperament and physical traits, including hips and eyes.
Breed classification
The Anatolian belongs to the Working Dog group, but it is largely used by the shepherds to guard flocks of sheep and goats.
Personality
Anatolian Shepherd dogs are territorial. They are natural guard dogs, independent and very intelligent. They must be socialised from a very early age, as their guarding instinct is very strong. They are gentle with children, but must be watched due to their size. They can be aggressive (especially the males) to same sex dogs in the same household and, because of their susceptibility to fleas, should not live with cats or other household pets. This is not a suitable breed for novice dog owners.
Intelligence
A very intelligent and strong willed dog. They have been bred to use their initiative, making training quite hard. They require a great deal of patience when training and, even then, success cannot be guaranteed. The breed needs a lot of exercise. This dog is very active and can endure extremes of heat and cold conditions. They need a large, enclosed and safe area for running around off the lead and so do not do well in cities and towns.