The Anatolian Shepherd (also known as "Coban Köpegi" and "Karabash") is one of several large Turkish guarding breeds. He is considered a giant breed and was developed or naturally evolved to bond with flock animals. He is large, rugged and impressive and possesses great endurance and agility. The Anatolian is first and foremost a guarding dog. He is loyal and can be fiercely possessive and protective of his family, stock and territory. He is calm and observant of his surroundings and bold, without aggression when properly trained. The breed is naturally independent, very intelligent and tractable. He is suspicious of strangers and anything new that enters his domain, but loyal and affectionate to his owners. The Anatolian may not go looking for trouble, but he may not back down if challenged.
Basic training for Anatolian Shepherd Dogs is absolutely essential. These dogs must be socialized at an early age. He must be taught not to interpret any "normal" activity or events as a threat. The well trained Anatolian should be self-confident yet submissive. The untrained Anatolian Shepherd can test his handler to try to assume a role of leadership and can become over-protective, intimidating and even aggressive.
The Anatolian only reaches full maturity at the age of four years and can be expected to live to about 12 to 15 years.
The Anatolian's coat length can vary from short and smooth to long and rough, and comes in fawn, brindle, tri-colour, white and black. He carries his tail over his back when alert and otherwise it is carried low with a slight curl.
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Health Issues in the Anatolian Shepherd breed:
The Anatolian Shepherd is known as a breed with few serious health problems. The incidence of inherited problems seems to be much lower than in many other breeds. However, they are not completely free of health concerns and some of the issues which have been seen in the breed include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Some forms of Cancer
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat) — As with any deep-chested dog, the occurrence of Bloat or Gastric Torsion is a real possibility in the Anatolian Shepherd. If you are not familiar with this condition, it is absolutely necessary to learn about it and know the symptoms — This is a real emergency and a life threatening condition that requires immediate Veterinary attention. See Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) — Bloat in the Health and Nutrition section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for more information and First Aid for Bloat for an article describing some of the things you can do if you are faced with this situation.
If you are considering the adoption of a Anatolian Shepherd puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
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Training Resources:
- Training — For information on training your Anatolian, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
- Starting the LGD Pup
by Catherine de la Cruz
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Additional Information:
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