Dogs

Photo of "Gypsy" gratefully received from Lisa Hicks - www.livestockguardianangels.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Turkey.

MOST SUITED AS Sheepdog and protector for cattle herds.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 74 - 81cm (29 1/2 -31 1/2in) for dogs and 71 - 79cm (28 - 31 1/2in) for bitches. The dogs weigh 41 - 64kg (90 - 1401b).

COAT
The outer protective coat is smooth-haired with a sheen and mainly short, but longer around the collar and tail. Any colour is permitted, but the most accept­able are plain cream to fawn with a black face and ears.

CARE REQUIRED
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog requires little grooming. During moulting use a comb with a double row of metal teeth to remove the dead and loose hairs of the under-layer of the coat.

CHARACTER
This equable dog is brave and demanding of itself, unsure of strangers, can be stubborn and dominant, is reasonably independent, and very vigilant.

TRAINING
The Anatolian Shepherd is not a dog for begin­ners. It needs a handler who naturally radiates leadership. The best results are achieved with a determined, consistent, and loving approach. It is very important to begin training quite early because fully grown dogs are too strong and too big to be corrected.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The breed generally gets on well with other ani­mals provided it has been introduced to them when young. They are rather reserved towards strangers but there are seldom problems with children from its own family. They can be rather dominant towards other dogs. Much depends upon introducing the puppy early in its life to its own kind, other animals, and people.

EXERCISE
Anatolian Shepherds require quite considerable exercise. When they can run free in their own garden with a fence surrounding it, they can decide upon their own exercise needs. This breed is not suited to a flat or maisonette.