Introduction to Anatolian Shepherds
Known for being reserved and loyal, the Anatolian shepherd is a Working Group dog breed that originated within the Turkish countryside. These dogs were bred to be calm and protect animals with a big size and loud voice. Anatolian shepherds are rugged, territorial dogs with strong muscles and an independent nature. They require strong leaders as pet parents due to their dominant tendencies, but also they are lovable dogs that do well in households with ample room and outside space.
Continue reading this Healthy Paws breed guide to learn more concerning the Anatolian shepherd dog breed and the best way to best take care of this dog’s health.
Size of Anatolian Shepherds
Female Anatolian shepherds are between 80 and 120 kilos and stand roughly 27 inches tall when fully grown. Adult male Anatolian shepherds weigh 110 to 150 kilos and are around 29 inches tall. These dogs reach physical maturity by 14 to 19 months of age, and females typically stop growing before males do.
Below is a chart detailing how big you possibly can expect your Anatolian shepherd to get because the dog grows from puppyhood to maturity. Female weights are on the low end of the ranges, and male weights are on the high end.
| Weight Chart | 3 months | 6 months | 9 months | 12 months | 18 months |
| Female and male Anatolian shepherds | 20 – 48 lbs. | 44 – 89 lbs. | 60 – 111 lbs. | 75 – 130 lbs. | 80 – 150 lbs. |
Characteristics of Anatolian Shepherds
An Anatolian shepherd’s commonest characteristics are calmness, protectiveness, independence, and loyalty. They are usually not overly affectionate dogs, and they’ll exhibit possessive behaviors. It’s necessary to pay extra attention to socializing Anatolian shepherds in order that they learn to be accepting of strangers and other animals. They are well-balanced dogs and an ancient dog breed with moderate exercise and grooming needs.
As you get to know an Anatolian shepherd’s personality, here’s what you possibly can expect based on the breed characteristics:
| Breed Characteristic | Level (High, Medium, Low) |
| Affectionate with People | Low |
| Good with Kids | Medium |
| Good with Pets | Medium |
| Need for Exercise | Medium |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Intelligence Level | Medium |
| Able to Be Trained | Medium |
| Amount of Barking | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of Anatolian Shepherds
The name “Anatolian” refers back to the Anatolia region of Turkey, which is an element of Asia Minor. Historians consider the dogs were bred from a line of shepherds to guard livestock. Early civilizations used them to guard sheep and goats, whatever the weather. They were able to resist hot and dry summers, in addition to sub-zero temperatures and snowy winters. Carvings dating back to 2,000 B.C. and artifacts from the Babylonian Empire depicted these flock guardians’ ancestors.
The breed first appeared in America before World War II, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture imported a pair of the dogs from Turkey to take part in a top-secret project. The researchers were studying which sorts of dog breeds would work best in American sheep pastures. In the Fifties, American ranchers began importing the dogs. In the Seventies, the breed began gaining more significant popularity within the U.S. One reason for this interest within the breed was the passage of the Endangered Species Act, which required ranchers to manage predatory wolves without killing them – an ideal job for Anatolian shepherds to do.
The dogs still work on farms and ranches across the country to guard various livestock, including sheep, goats, and ostriches. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Anatolian shepherd dog breed in 1996.
Anatolian Shepherd Standard Information
There are certain standards by which Anatolian shepherds are judged at dog shows and competitions. The breed standard information for such a dog outlines how the final appearance of the Anatolian shepherd is large, powerful, rugged, and has excellent agility and endurance. It also describes how these dogs are daring and calm unless challenged.
Here is an outline of the breed standard information for Anatolian shepherds:
Head:
- Intelligent expression
- Medium-sized eyes which can be dark brown to light amber in color
- Ears are set no higher than the plane of the top
- Skull is large but proportional
- Muzzle is blocky and strong
- Nose is solid black or brown
- Scissors bite is preferred, but level bite is suitable
Neck, Topline, Body:
- Neck is barely arched and muscular
- Topline appears level when gaiting
- Body is well-proportioned and never fat or soft
- Tail is long and reaches to the hocks
Forequarters:
- Shoulders are muscular and well-developed
- Forelegs are relatively long
- Feet are compact with well-arched toes
- Pads are thick and tough
- Dewclaws could also be removed
Hindquarters:
- Hindquarters are strong, with broad thighs
- Legs are parallel when seen from behind
- Dewclaws could also be removed
- Double dewclaws may exist
Coat:
- Short (with a one-inch minimum) to rough coat (roughly 4 inches long)
- Thick undercoat is common
- Possible feathering on the ears, legs, breeching, and tail
Color:
- All colours, patterns, and markings are equally acceptable
Gait:
- Powerful yet fluid
- Footfall converges toward the middle of gravity
- Withers and backline stay nearly level
Caring for Anatolian Shepherds
Although the Anatolian shepherd is a big dog, it doesn’t require excessive exercise. However, these dogs do need loads of room to roam around. They have straightforward grooming needs, yet training can challenge novice pet parents.
Here are some general suggestions for taking the very best care of an Anatolian shepherd:
Best Living Environments:
- Farms and ranches
- Homes with fenced yard space to roam
- Not ideal dogs for apartments
Type of Exercise:
- At least one hour of exercise day by day
- Walks and jogs
- Games of fetch
Mental Enrichment:
- Games with members of the family in the outside
- Rugged chews and food allotting toys
Training Strategies:
- Start consistent, positive training and socialization from an early age
- Dedicate not less than 10 hours per week to training and socialization
Grooming Tips:
- Overall, a low-maintenance dog to groom
- Brush weekly to remove dead fur
- Heavier shedding within the spring and fall
- Bathe as needed
- Trim nails as needed
- Brush teeth day by day
- Check ears usually for wax build-up and infections
Common Health Problems of Anatolian Shepherds
Anatolian shepherds typically live for 11 to 13 years, which is longer than the common for a dog of this size. Still, Anatolian shepherds are vulnerable to certain health issues due to their breeding and genetics, including entropion (eyelids that roll inwards), hypothyroidism, gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), and a possible sensitivity to anesthesia..
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends the next screening tests for any Anatolian shepherd that might be used for breeding:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
Diet and Nutrition for Anatolian Shepherds
Not surprisingly, Anatolian shepherds have hearty appetites due to their size. Most adults will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced pet food. Anatolian shepherd puppies should generally eat a big breed puppy food until they’re around 18 months old. If you feed your Anatolian shepherd homemade pet food, ensure that you’re working from a recipe that’s designed by a veterinary nutritionist and is acceptable to your dog’s age and health status.
Feed the quantity of pet food needed to maintain your pet slim. You should give you the option to see your dog’s waist and feel (but not see) their ribs without having to press too hard. In general, puppies need more calories per day than adults, but a dog’s needs will vary together with his or her activity level and other aspects. Don’t leave food out all day for an Anatolian shepherd to graze on. Divide the whole amount of food for the day into two to a few meals for adults and three to 4 meals for puppies. Place the food out in a bowl at roughly the identical time every day.
Your veterinarian can make it easier to select pet food to your Anatolian shepherd and determine how much food to supply every day.
Where to Adopt or Purchase Anatolian Shepherds
For prospective pet parents thinking about purchasing a purebred Anatolian shepherd, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America is a resource for locating a good breeder. There’s also the National Anatolian Shepherd Rescue Network, which is committed to finding homes for this breed’s unwanted, abandoned, and displaced dogs. On this organization’s website, you possibly can seek for available dogs in your private home region, change into a foster dog parent, volunteer to assist dogs in need, or donate money to the group.
Related Breeds
Anatolian shepherds are a terrific option when you are thinking about large, protective dogs to affix your loved ones or help work in your farm or ranch. There are additional dog breeds that you might be thinking about as well, nonetheless, including the next:
Pet Insurance for Anatolian Shepherds
To make it easier to provide your Anatolian shepherd with a protracted, healthy, and blissful life, Healthy Paws offers Anatolian shepherd pet insurance for puppies to senior dogs of their golden years. Our easy-to-understand pet insurance policy has no costly add-ons or maximum limit on claim payouts. You can use our insurance coverage to pay for vet bills after latest accidents and illnesses, so long as they are usually not pre-existing conditions or otherwise excluded under the policy.
Pet insurance is value it to your Anatolian shepherd because it could prevent hundreds of dollars in case your pup gets sick or injured unexpectedly. You can say yes to life-saving medical treatments without being overwhelmed by veterinary bills you possibly can’t afford.
Please tell us just a few details about your Anatolian shepherd to get your pet insurance quote today.