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THE ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD
Natural
Farm and Home Protectors - by Julie Adams
HOW ARE ANATOLIAN SHEPHERDS AS LIVESTOCK GUARDIANS?
The Anatolian is a slow maturing breed and the newly acquired
puppy is not an instant livestock defender. A puppy needs to
learn the rules, and develop enough size and confidence to protect
himself before he or she can be a reliable guardian. Some pups
will show guardian behavior at 3 to 6 months, but they will
command more respect from trespassers and predators once they
are at least 8 months old. Confidence increases with maturity.
The mature stock guardian of 3 years or more is a valuable asset
to the farm and is sometimes considered priceless. The occasional
pup within any litter of successful guardians may not be able
to perform the work of its heritage, due to a behavioral idiosyncrasy,
incorrect training or another reason, such as unsoundness. Pups
from import, working, companion and show litters are equally
likely to be excellent working dogs at maturity. A major reason
for failure for the dog to guard livestock is usually due to
the dog being turned into a pet and being given more liberty
than structure during his formative training. Attending an obedience
class while young is still highly recommended, and will not
affect the pup's guarding ability, other than making him easier
to handle. Adults that have never seen livestock have gone on
to become successful guardians, and pups that have been carefully
raised with stock have failed. Occasionally, a dog that did
not work out in a companion home will find his niche among the
flocks of a farming home.This makes a case for the adoption
of a dog from the Anatolian Rescue where a livestock manager
needs a grown dog that can begin to work immediately, where
predators are a serious problem. Sometimes there is just not
enough time to raise a puppy for this purpose.
ORIGIN
AND DEVELOPMENT
It
it thought that the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, ASD (Choban Kopegi)
or Kangal Dog has been performing the duties of livestock guardians
for man for over 5,000 years. This ancient breed was bred to
be a hardy survivor in the harsh climate and terrain of Turkey,
and has a half-long or a shorter coat that is dense, double,
and ideal for most climates. The breed is believed to have been
developed from a mollasser and sight hound background, and this
heritage is evident in the massive head and chest, and sleek
hindquarters (a blend of power and agility). When first recognized
in the United Kingdom, the breed was known as the Anatolian
Karabash, a move that proved controversial with some breeders
who claim that the Karabash, a fawn dog with black points, is
the only true Anatolian Shepherd and that dogs of other colours
are not pure.The two other breeds that also come from Turkey
include the Akbash (which resembles a white Anatolian), and
the Kangal (which resembles a black masked fawn Anatolian).
Some believe that these are three separate breeds, while others
feel that they merely represent the area from which the dog
has originated.
Anatolians
have been known to ward off both small and large predators.
Large predators include bear, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes,
wolves, domestic dogs, and cheetahs. Small predators include
raccoons, possums, skunks, foxes, weasels, and birds of prey.
They are not generally friendly toward human strangers without
introductions from their owners and their size alone is rather
intimidating.
ASDs
successfully guard a huge variety of domestic animals and birds,
including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, miniature horses,
ponies, emus, ostriches, poultry, rabbits, and small domestics,
such as toy dog breeds, terriers, and cats. Many also work as
family and home guardians, and several are assistance dogs to
their disabled owners, as they are sturdy enough to provide
physical support. As with all breeds, a range of temperaments
can be found within the breed. Some are better suited as remote
pasture guardians where a daily routine is very constant, while
some are good in situations where there is a high degree of
variety and deal well in a small farm, rural home, or pet situation.
In
their native Turkey, ASDs primarily guard herds of sheep and
goats, but are also expected to be home family pets and guardians
as well. There they are expected to have enough intelligence
to act appropriately and differentiate between home, village,
and working situations. ASDs have played an important role in
the livelihood of the shepherds in Turkey, who have harshly
culled for a very specific temperament, intelligence, and athletic
ability.
ASDs
seem to have an almost mystical sense of threatening or dangerous
situations. Many owners have been convinced to listen to and
believe their dogs. ASDs can be very expressive of their needs
and desires. They use body language, physical movements and
sound to convey their messages. There are many owners who can
credit their dogs for warnings about everything from fire to
injured or ill livestock.
TEMPERAMENT
Independence is a primary characteristic of livestock guardian
breeds, and while they enjoy your company, Anatolian Shepherds
are not attuned to your wishes in the way that many Sporting
and Herding breeds are; they are pleased if you are happy with
their behavior, but they don't go out of their way trying to
do things to please you. Dominance drive is very strong, and
Anatolians are prepared to dominate all other dogs and people
in their sphere. This does not mean that they cannot be sweet
dogs, but they will take advantage of any situation where it
seems that an Alpha character has not taken over. Anatolians
are generally best suited for people who have not let other
dogs take over their families. Obedience training for the companion
dog is strongly recommended. Having an extremely powerful 30
inch dog, or one that weighs from 100 to 160 pounds is not for
a person who is not prepared to do a lot of obedience work and
socialization. Owners have been successful with these dogs in
directed work such as obedience trials; however, they must keep
the training motivational and interesting to get the best out
of these dogs.
Anatolian
Shepherds are serious about what they do. They tend to be less
bouncy than other breeds, even as pups. They necessarily have
a lower prey drive than most breeds and generally adapt well
to what ever livestock (or pets) that are intended for them
to protect. Adult females have been known to nurse lambs and
other young animals to which they have been given guarding duties.
In many of the Old World countries, sometimes the flock guards
are left with the herds, unattended by humans, for much of the
year. If the dogs get hungry, they may catch a gopher or other
rodent, but they will not kill and eat their charges. They have
varying degrees of territoriality, but most will expand their
territories if they are not fenced in. It is part of their nature
to mark territory and define boundaries to trespassers. They
are generally wonderful and tolerant with children, but are
necessarily dog aggressive, though socialization and training
can temper such behavior. A firmly established pack order with
the family canines is typical, and no problems may evolve unless
two dominant dogs do not establish order to their satisfaction.
The Anatolian Shepherd is first and foremost a guardian dog.
It is a hard-working breed whose function is to guard its flock.
The Anatolian is a loyal guard, and can be fiercely possessive
and protective of his family, stock, and territory. Anatolians
should be steady and bold, without aggression. As the dog matures,
he will determine on his own whether aggression is warranted,
using a graduated display of increasingly assertive behaviors
to control a given situation. He can cause frustration at times
with his naturally independent, very intelligent personality.
Young males in particular can be pushy during adolescence while
they are figuring out their rank and status in the household.
Anatolians tend to be aloof and suspicious of anything or anyone
new that enters his domain. Anatolians are not outgoing dogs
that want to make friends with everyone. They often do not want
to be boldly approached and usually dislike being touched or
stroked on the top of their heads when greeted by a stranger.
This is not because of shyness, but because they prefer to be
approached on their own terms. This is what people mean when
they say that the Anatolian seems to expect a formal introduction.
They prefer a formal introduction to strangers. They dislike
strangers who are too forward. When greeting a new Anatolian,
one may stroke the dog's chin after the dog has initially sniffed
the hand. Anatolian Shepherds can be show dogs, but really do
not care for all the hoopla of the ring. They do need to be
socialized from a very early age, and that training and socialization
needs to be maintained throughout the dog's lifetime.
The reliability of a working livestock guardian depends on the
strong inclination for independent judgement. An Anatolian will
evaluate a situation to assess its potential threat and will
act accordingly. If the predator will leave the domain when
the Anatolian rises from a reclining position and perhaps gives
a warning bark, that will be the end of the display.
A trained attack dog in guard mode, on the other hand, will
attack indiscriminately. Attack training for the Anatolian is
not recommended because of its low prey drive and independent
nature. It will require considerable agitation to get the Anatolian
to attack, and it may choose not to attack on command, depending
on its perception of threat. On the other hand, an Anatolian
that has been agitated may be too angry to be controlled and
cannot be stopped on command.
Not
a herding dog that is easily trained to work by direction from
man, the Anatolian was developed to guard other animals independently,
with little or no interference from man. Stalking, chasing and
killing modes of the "specialized" hunting and herding
breeds are all prey drives.
Like
a giant puppy, the Anatolian does not have a strongly developed
"prey drive", but it does have a strong bonding or
"family unit" drive. It bonds possessively and protectively
with animals or people that it is raised with and will loyally
guard all that it considers part of its domain. Possessiveness
is part of the process of bonding, thus a herd guard may not
wish to "share" his herd with another guardian dog.
Shaping of the bonding behavior is important to create a reliable
herd guard.
GUARDIAN
BEHAVIOUR
1.Patrolling.The
Anatolian will walk the boundaries of his domain occasionally
throughout the day to mark his territory with urine to warn
predators that they are intruding. Based on how much territory
he can see and hear over, he will establish a protective zone
and an outer buffer zone. He will then settle down in an area
that he perceives to be one of several good vantage points.
He quickly learns what is normal daily activity by people in
his area and will appear to lie around doing nothing.
2.Barking.If
something appears in the outer perimeter, the dog will bark
to announce that he has something under observation. If the
potential threat commences toward the protective zone, the Anatolian
will progress to a rapid alarm bark that may then progress to
a threatening snarl-bark when something very threatening is
about to be stopped. Occasionally, the Anatolian may attack
silently. At the homestead, the Anatolian will bark to announce
the arrival of any visitors and will expect to be able to greet
them with some formality. They are generally curious but aloof
with guests. The dogs will usually go lay down after meeting
with guests and will then watch them from a polite distance.
If, after introduction, an unescorted guest wants to walk toward
the owner's home, the Anatolian will block that person's path
until the guest is escorted by the owner. If a house guest wants
to leave the house, a dog on the porch may not allow the person
to move about freely until the owner joins the guest. Many Anatolians
will do this by giving a few barks to alert the owner, then
the dog will step across the person's path until the owner arrives.
The
Anatolian is a bold, confident dog that does not become overstimulated
easily. They are calm and observant of their surroundings. The
Anatolian may not go looking for trouble, but he may not back
down if challenged.
AGGRESSION
Aggression
in the Anatolian is generally limited to the lowest level that
provides the desired response from the rival. They do not exist
to hunt down and kill predators. They could not effectively
protect the rest of their flock or territory if that were the
case.
If the interloper will leave the territory when the Anatolian
gives the first warning or simply rises to full height from
a reclining position, the guardian will generally cease the
progressive displays of threat. If the first warning is ignored,
the Anatolian will use a graduated display of increasingly assertive
behaviors until the trespasser is driven off or subdued. Killing
of predators such as a coyote, may occur only after all other
warnings have failed, or if the dog has been agitated by the
predator at length.
If the Anatolian is annoyed with something, he may snap his
teeth into the air with an audible click. He may bark, growl,
or draw his lips in an ominous silent threat.
Usually, the Anatolian will turn his head away from something
that he does not wish to hurt, such as a family member or another
pet, then he will get up and leave if the annoyance continues
APPEARANCE
Anatolians
are now regarded as flock guardians of the mountain molossian-type.
Large, rugged and impressive, they possess great endurance and
agility. These dogs are tall and powerful, yet not massive in
build. This magnificent ancient working dog presents an impression
of functional utility without exaggerated features.
Males are 29 to 32 inches tall (74 to 81 cm), and 100 to 143
pounds (50 to65 kg). Females are 27 to 31 inches (71 to 79 cm)
and 88 to 120 pounds ( 40 to 55 kg), though many may be larger
boned or slightly racier in appearance and do not fit within
these averages. Large size is important, but correct breed type,
soundness of movement, overall balance with correct temperament
should be given precedence so as to preserve working ability.
Anatolians should never be fat. Both dog and bitch should be
rectangular, in direct proportion to height. Measurements and
weights apply at age 2 or older.
Expression
should be intelligent. They have a large, broad head in proportion
to the body with a slight centerline furrow. In a normal relaxed
stance there is little or no detectable facial wrinkling. At
attention, the large pendant ears should be set no higher than
the plane of the head with slight wrinkling of the brow. The
strong blocky muzzle is short but greater than one third of
the length of the head. The flews are slightly pronounced, yet
dry, and the lip corners are tight. The eyes are medium sized,
almond shaped and are seen in shades of brown or amber colors.Eye
rims will be black or brown and without sag or looseness of
haw. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault.
Mature
Anatolians have powerful shoulders and are deep chested with
well-sprung ribs. They are long-legged with a definite tuck
up at the loins. This conformation permits them to be fleet
and extremely agile, capable of overtaking and bringing down
a predator with awesome efficiency. Clocked by visitors driving
alongside fenced property containing a herd guard, Anatolians
have been observed running at speeds over 35 miles per hour.
They can leap into the air, turn and come down in front of,
or on, the shoulders of the animal behind them, which ever they
choose. With their agility, they do not need excessive weight
to fight off predators. As their speed increases, they will
single-track, which is ideal for narrow paths.
The
back is relatively level with an arch over the loin. The tail
is long and carried low with a gentle curve or is impressively
curled over the back when the dog is at attention. When walking,
the topline becomes quite level, giving a smooth impression
of a powerful, stalking lion.
Anatolians have a dense double coat that is thicker and slightly
longer about the neck. Most Anatolians have a short or medium
long coat that is easy to care for. Hard textured enough to
shed dirt, it does not tend to matt or tangle with foxtails
(awns) and burrs. The coat may lay somewhat flat over the dense
undercoat or it may stand off the body slightly to give a rough
outline. Short and rough coats as well as a wide variety of
coat colors can be found among pups of the same litter. The
coat is never long and hanging and should never be too short
and smooth.
All
colors of the Anatolian Çoban köpegi are acceptable
and some color variations have been given special names. The
classic and most frequently occurring coloration is fawn with
black ears and black mask, sometimes called "karabash"
(meaning "blackhead"). "Kangal", another
name for that color variation of the Anatolian, has been used
to describe some black masked dogs that can be found in the
Sivas region of Turkey. The solid white or cream dogs are sometimes
called "Akbash". Other colors frequently seen are
pinto, brindle, grey, even black. Not all of the fawn dogs have
a black mask.
In
Turkey, various regions can seem to have a predominance of certain
colors and types. These differences are dependent on the available
genepool rather than on any long-standing, cultural tradition
to develop separate "breeds". Historically, in Turkey,
breeding of the livestock guardian dogs has been dependent on
selection and survival of only the most successful of the available
working dogs.
ARE THEY GOOD WITH CHILDREN?
Yes, the Anatolian seems to adore children, and think of them
as their own "kids". A child does, of course, need
to learn how to behave respectfully when around any animal,
and should be supervised when with any type of dog. It is imperative
not to let the child play as a "littermate" would
play (inviting nipping and roughhousing), due to the large size
of the breed. Any human should have a higher role in the dog's
eyes than the role of being just 'another dog'. So, one should
not play games like tug-of-war, or chase. For the most part,
it is training the children, rather than the dog, on proper
behavior. It is good for the whole family to participate in
working on the obedience training of the dog, so that all can
enjoy the rewards of a well-behaved animal. With young children,
it is important they be supervised by an adult when interacting
with a pet. Older children with an active social life need to
realize that, although their friends may like dogs, it may not
be appropriate for the dog to interact with every visitor.
ARE
THEY GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS?
For the most part, they do well with other dogs that are raised
with them. The Anatolian Shepherd, as a flock guardian, instinctively
protects its flock against all predators - which category includes
other dogs. Do not assume that an Anatolian will be happy to
socialize with other dogs. Some do, but many well-socialized
Anatolians still need to maintain a certain range of distance
between themselves and other dogs. They will accept being in
the company of other dogs if they are trained to do so, but
they will need to maintain this "distance" and may
"spark" at other dogs that violate this area. Training
and socializing the dog from puppyhood, in a variety of situations,
and with a variety of other breeds of dogs, is recommended.
The Anatolian tends to not invite play with strange dogs, even
other Anatolians, although well-socialized dogs may be more
outgoing. Generally, dogs of the opposite sex are the most readily
accepted by an Anatolian; Anatolians also prefer to be the pack
leader', and may push the issue until it is resolved. It usually
takes them a while to warm up to new dogs in the household,
but once that is accomplished, they become part of the dog's
flock and will be protected.
ARE
THEY GOOD HOUSE DOGS?
They can be very good house dogs, but they are very large, shed
with enthusiasm, and may knock things over with their large
tails. If you are a finicky house cleaner, this breed would
be a challenge for you. Any dog can be trained to live in the
house, but puppies and young dogs need a lot of exercise. A
large dog door, allowing access to both indoors and out, can
accommodate both exercise and an Anatolian's appreciation of
indoor comforts! All puppies and young adults chew. The use
of appropriate chew items (Nylabones, giant size Kong toys,
and Booda rope bones) as well as crate training for when your
puppy is not directly supervised, can be of great benefit to
you and your dog. Talk with your breeder, trainer, or experienced
dog owners on the value of using a crate. Anatolians will do
very well with consistent training, and that training will be
remembered for the rest of the dog's life. Just as in other
breeds of dogs, it takes time and love, with lots of praise
for good behavior, to get the results you desire. As the dog
matures, he will seem to lie about more and more; this is not
loafing, but quiet guarding. The dog will move into action if
need be, and can do so at a very alarming rate. He will need
lots of exercise, as any large breed does, so, even though he
seems lazy, exercise him with long walks, as well as with running
and playing in a fenced, supervised area. A fenced yard is mandatory,
to prevent an Anatolian from expanding his territory, and to
keep the dog away from traffic. A dog of this size found running
loose in the community, or even in play periods with other dogs
in a park, may be considered a threat by some, regardless of
stable temperament.
WHAT
ABOUT SHEDDING?
Anatolian
Shepherds will shed small amounts all the time, and "blow
out their coats" twice a year. Also, females tend to blow
out their coats after a heat cycle. When "blowing the coat",
large tufts of hair will start to fall out, usually in the spring
or summer, and in fall or early winter, depending on the weather.
They need to be brushed out when they are "blowing coat",
and that will minimize your mess somewhat. A good vacuum can
come in handy in getting unwanted hair off of rugs and couches.
Also, bathing in warm water seems to make some difference in
shedding, and may lessen the amount of work as it will encourage
the fur to loosen and you can brush off more of it at once.
ARE
THEY MESSY DOGS?
They do love to dig, and also shed, so if you want to judge
them on those characteristics, yes, they can be messy. However,
their double coat seems to repel dirt to a certain degree, and
they have less "doggy odor" than most other breeds.
Also, an Anatolian should have tight flews with a correspondingly
"dry" mouth, so drooling is seldom a problem. If you
want a really neat dog, though, the Anatolian is not for you
DO
THEY EAT MUCH?
Surprisingly, no. Anatolians tend to be "easy keepers",
and an adult Anatolian will eat between 40 to 60 pounds of premium
quality dog chow a month. As a puppy, an Anatolian should be
fed a premium puppy food for the first year. Some breeders will
use puppy food for the first 18 months, and then switch to a
good adult food. You want to keep the dog fairly lean, so that
developing joints and bones are not over-stressed, yet you need
to remember that a puppy may gain 80 to 100 pounds between 8
weeks and one year of age, and so should feed accordingly. A
young pup needs to be fed small amounts of food at least two
to three times a day. An adult should be fed once or twice a
day. A measured serving is better than free feeding ( the all-you-can-eat
method) as this can lead to an overweight Anatolian Shepherd.
No growth supplements should be fed to puppies, as this can
cause nutritional imbalances and skeletal or joint problems.
Some breeders feel that the giant breed puppy should be put
on adult food as soon as possible, but the more recent studies
show that a good premium puppy food will have the necessary
nutrients needed for a puppy, whereas adult chows can cause
vitamin/mineral imbalances when fed to rapidly growing puppies.
SHOULD
I GET A MALE OR FEMALE?
The males are usually larger and may be more aggressive. Females,
being of a smaller stature, may be more ideally suited as a
house companion. Males tend to be more outgoing, and more forgiving
of mistakes in training. Females tend to be less dominant and
work well with children - however, many females may actually
be more protective of their households than males. Nevertheless,
generalities do not always apply, and it is best to ask the
breeder for their advice. Hopefully he or she can show you both
females and males that are adults. What it all comes down to,
is that the answer is up to each individual and their preferences.
SHOULD
I GET A PUPPY OR AN OLDER DOG?
For some people an older dog that has had some training, is
housebroken, and is through with chewing is just what they would
like to have in starting out with an Anatolian. Whereas others
just have to have that little bundle of fur to nurture and watch
grow. Some people feel as though they do not truly bond with
a dog, unless it starts out with them as a puppy. Others may
like knowing from the start the personality and size of their
new dog. Your decision should be based on how much time and
effort you want to spend working with your new family member.
DO
THEY GET HIP DYSPLASIA?
Any large breed of dogs has a higher chance of developing dysplastic
hips or elbows, but a good breeder will have had OFA (Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals) certification done for both the sire
and dam before considering breeding. The X-rays and certification
cannot be done until a dog is twenty four months old, so obviously
a dog under this age is not yet eligible for certification (nor
should it be bred). When you are selecting a new puppy, always
check with the breeder to see if they are indeed OFA certifying
their dogs prior to breeding, and see if they give a two year
hip/elbow guarantee with each puppy contract. Some bloodlines
do have a very low incidence of this problem, but this should
not be an excuse for the breeder to not OFA their dogs. Just
because the dog is very athletic and comes from healthy lines
is no guarantee that the hip film will not demonstrate severe
degenerative disease, and that the dog itself is not a genetic
"black sheep" and could very well pass on what "none
of its relatives have". This testing is not a guarantee
that your puppy will never come down with any type of dysplasia,
but does give you a better chance of having a healthy puppy.
Breeders who do OFA certification (as well as other types of
genetic testing), tend to be more cautious in selecting individuals
for breeding, and they strive to improve upon their dogs' health,
structure, and temperament.
ARE
THERE ANY SPECIAL ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE KNOWN CONCERNING THE
HEALTH OF THIS BREED?
As this is a breed close to its working origins, and most breeders
prefer to out cross different lines to make the best use of
the available gene pool, the breed seems to have few serious
health problems. Anatolians can be sensitive to anesthesia,
and this may be of concern if some veterinary procedures are
performed. However, modern anesthetics tend to cause fewer reactions
if they are used judiciously and "to effect", rather
than prescribed simply by weight of the dog. Like most large
breeds, hip dysplasia is a concern (buy from OFA certified parents
to reduce risk). There have also been cases of hypothyroidism,
entropion, bloat, and cancers in the breed, but the incidence
of inherited problems seems to be much lower than most breeds.
Generally, a healthy, well-bred Anatolian will live into its
teens in a safe, optimal environment. However, livestock guardians
and dogs in many rural settings have a higher mortality rate
than their companion peers, because of the nature of their jobs
and environment. Dogs that guard livestock are often exposed
to hazards, accidents and dangers that prevent them from working
to a ripe old age.
HOW
DO ANATOLIAN SHEPHERDS DO IN WEATHER EXTREMES?
Anatolians can adapt to just about any type of weather, from
the high temperatures of summer to the lows of winter. They
can stay outdoors during most climatic conditions, with a good
dog house for protection from the elements, and plenty of water
in all seasons. It is a good idea to have extra shade for the
dog to lie in during the hotter days of summer. During those
hot summer days, Anatolians will frequently dig cavernous holes,
rather than use a doghouse. They are also fond of making shallow
holes in damp ground, and like to nap in these saucer-shaped
depressions. They are not water dogs, and most do not like to
swim during the summer to cool off, although they are strong
swimmers.
SOME
ANATOLIANS HAVE THEIR EARS CROPPED; WHY?
In Turkey, the ears are docked to keep wolves from getting a
hold on the dog and ripping and tearing the ears. In Turkey,
one may also find Anatolian Shepherds wearing a collar of iron
prongs or spikes. This is to protect the dog from getting their
throats ripped when being attacked by a predator. American bred
dogs do not have their ears cropped, although they may have
dewclaws removed.
WHAT
IS THEIR LEVEL OF ENERGY?
This breed appeals to many who are partial to big, calm dogs.
As with any puppy, there are bursts of unbounded energy, but
as the dog matures, they seem to slow down'; adults, during
certain times of the day, seem almost comatose! They are still
very alert, but are most likely to be found laying about on
a mound of dirt or a rock in a deep sleep. If the weather is
hot, then they seem to become more lethargic. If something were
to cross the Anatolian's boundary lines, the dog would be up
and moving with a burst of speed that can top out around 35
miles per hour. They will sound an alarm, and go to investigate
any disturbance in their territory. As most predators are nocturnal,
the dogs do compensate by seeming more alert in the evening
and early morning hours, and will engage in play with each other,
as they do mock battle and chase each other around the property.
IN
WHAT INSTANCES DO YOU NOT RECOMMEND AN ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD?
This is not the breed for everyone, and should not become 'the
breed of the month', as has happened to some breeds. This breed
is, first and foremost, a guarding dog, with strong independence
and dominance drives, and it requires a responsible approach
to successful management. Time and effort is required to keep
Anatolians socialized and well-behaved. They are very strong
and can be very stubborn at times. If you are looking for a
dog that will obey at the drop of a command, then this is not
the dog for you. The owner should not allow commands to be given
unless an effort is made to follow through should the dog elect
the typical reaction of "selective deafness". Otherwise,
the dog will walk all over you. This is a breed that has a lot
of confidence and needs to be trained with a firm and loving
hand. The Anatolian can become aggressive without proper training.
One should never hit this dog in anger, as they may respond
to aggressive behavior on your part with aggression of their
own, or become so upset that they may refuse to work with you.
It is usually recommended that this breed not be trained for
protection sports or as an attack dog, for several reasons.
First, the breed already has natural guardian instincts, and
is very discriminating in determining real' vs. fake' threats.
Second, Anatolians are rather low on prey drive (being livestock
guardians) and are not good material for competitive protection
work, as they lose interest rather easily and are not motivated
to the same degree as are herding breeds such as German Shepherds,
Rottweilers, Belgian Malinois, and Australian Shepherds.
SHOULD
ANATOLIANS BE OBEDIENCE TRAINED?
Yes, as soon as your new puppy has its shots and is old enough
to start puppy classes, it is time to start obedience. Even
before the first class, it is important to start instilling
the basics, such as teaching the sit, down, and come commands.
Compared to some other breeds, the Anatolian may seem slower
in responding to commands, but with coaxing and praise, they
can speed up. You will not see many Anatolian Shepherds obedience
trials, as it takes more time and motivation on the part of
the owner to train them to a competition level of obedience,
but with lots of love and patience they will respond and can
do quite well. The rewards of having a dog that will follow
directions in the ring or at home are many, and could save your
dog's life some day. One never knows when a good solid recall,
down, or stay could come in handy! Many Anatolians have passed
the Canine Good Citizen test, and are a tribute to their community.
Some
of the reasons that people give up on their Anatolians (in no
particular order):
None
or poorly fenced yard; dog roams.
Dog digs moonscape into the landscaping.
Dog sheds.
Dog too stubborn. Training makes the owner angry with the dog.
Barks too much, especially at night.
Fights with other dogs.
Spouse, kids or housemates are scared of dog or allergic.
Dog lives on chain in the yard -- just got tired of it.
Too big for the household (was a cute puppy though).
No time to train or made too many training mistakes, no longer
able to control dog.
Boredom destruction such as dog chews things up. BIG-time.
Made a mistake, have too many dogs now.
Did not really understand what Anatolian character is. Should
have done more research.
Bred a big litter and can't sell the puppies. Giving them to
the shelter or a pet shop.
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