How to Identify An Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd is a very old breed of sheep dog originating in Turkey. This breed is known for working independently without instruction and spending the majority of their lives with the flocks it is their job to safeguard. Living on the plateaus of Turkey can mean desert heats in the daytime and frosts at night, but this species can handle all this and more easily. Anatolians were even brought to war centuries ago as companions and guardians top their masters and many stories exist of Anatolians driving enemy attackers away from a wounded master and then dragging him great distances back to friendly lines. They are known for their unbelievable stamina and great speed, able to keep up a top speed of 35 mph for hours on end. They are considered a national treasure of Turkey and are highly prized for many jobs, both new and traditional. Here is a guide on how to identify an Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

Instructions

Identifying An Anatolian Shepherd

1. Look at the dog’s shape and size. It should be no less than thirty inches high at the shoulder and weigh more than one hundred pounds. Females weigh closer to eighty. The dog should be about as long as it is wide and have a long bushy tail that raises and lowers depending upon its mood. The line of its chest should be level, though slightly rounded at the groin. Though not very wide at the shoulders, the dog should have a very deep chest the reaches all the way to its elbows. The legs should be widely set and splayed, though not bowed. They should have large paws and be thickly muscled throughout their entire lengths.

2. Look at the dog’s fur. Depending on the time of year the dog’s fur will be anywhere from half an inch to two inches long. Though most colors are acceptable, the Anatolian will usually be a deep cream or light tan color than pales to a white on the underbelly, chest, and paws. This fur becomes a thicker ruff along the collar and tail.

3. Examine the dog’s head. The skull should be large, but in good proportion to the body and flat along the top. The muzzle should be rectangular and lightly shorter in length than the skull itself. The small triangular ears, which are rounded at the tips, are set low and far to the sides of the head. The eyes are deeply recessed and small, ranging in color from gold to brown. The most easily recognizable trait of this breed is the variation in coloring on the dog’s face. Spots around the eyes, ears, and muzzle will be anywhere between dark brown and black. If the dog matches this description then it’s an Anatolian Shepherd.

Tips & Warnings

• The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is very loyal, intelligent, and alert though not a very loving or cuddly type of dog. In Turkey they spend their entire lives outside and cannot stand to be kept indoors for too long. They are very good with children, though they are so big that they sometimes accidentally knock children over. It is important that this species be socialized and trained at a very young age if they are to be kept as pets. When they are grown they can be intractable and difficult if not impossible to train. This breed is calm, steadfast, and brave, though not particularly aggressive. When guarding a flock of sheep they will bark several warnings to an intruder get the sheep rounded up and away from the intruder, posture and growl, then finally attack if an intruder persists.

• Be warned that this breed likes to bark often and loudly as it is the way they warn off predators and establish their territory. They also enjoy digging if they become bored. This is primarily a work dog; they are used today as sentries, therapy dogs, guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue dogs, and herding dogs. So if you intend to keep one as a pet its best to make sure that there are plenty of people around to keep the dog busy. This dog has a naturally powerful protective instinct and should be formally introduced to any strangers they come in contact with to avoid any possible problems.

Resources

• List of Anatolian Shepherd Breeders In Good Standing