The Kangal dog can be a good house dog if effectively trained from birth. Physical Characteristics. The Anatolian Shepherd came to the U.S. in the 1930s as an experiment to determine the best herding dog. Some Anatolians have a long outer coat, but on most it is quite short, and a quick brushing once a week will keep it looking good. [1][2][3][4][5] The breed is of an early Mastiff type with a solid pale tan or sabled coat, and a black mask. We have plenty of opportunities to get involved in your local community, thanks to AKC Breed Clubs located in every state, and more than 450 AKC Rescue Network groups across the country. The Anatolian Shepherd’s popul… Originally the breed served people of Anatolia, where the Kangal continues to be a popular dog breed in Turkey. While they can make great companions, they’ll always have their jobs on their mind. They have a superior ability to defend livestock and strong protection instincts.The V-shaped ears are triangular and hang down; they’re usually cropped short in Turkey, th… Anatolians are smart, devoted, responsive, and adaptable. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is native to Turkey where they were bred to guard livestock. This large, powerful dog also has a unique facility for protecting livestock. They will protect their flock—livestock, children, smaller dogs, even the family cat—with intensity. Protective and territorial, but also intelligent, patient, and profoundly loyal, these muscular avengers are prized as working guard dogs without equal. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. The rugged Anatolian Shepherd enjoys the traits of endurance and agility. Please note we have planned maintenance work taking place from 8 February 2021 at 17:15 until 9 February 2021 at 06:00. In this harsh, unforgiving crucible the Anatolian Shepherd forged his longstanding reputation as the flock guardian supreme. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a pure worker. On the high Anatolian Plateau, summers are hot and very dry and winters are cold. Ears should be set on no higher than the plane of the head. The Anatolian Shepard is a great dog but can be stubborn at times and is a escape artist. Grooming: Easy to groom: The Anatolian Shepherd Dog doesn't require a lot of grooming. Here in the article, you will get some knowledge on what to feed, how much to feed, nutrition required and supplements. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a serious workhorse. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, 110-150 pounds (male), 80-120 pounds (female), The Anatolian Shepherd Dog should do well on a high-quality. As with all breeds, the Anatolian’s nails should be trimmed regularly. As one breeder says, “Don’t assume that your dogs will be reliable off leash. The coat must be short and dense, not long or feathery, and of a pale fawn or tan color with varying amounts of sable guard hairs. Under no circumstances should an Anatolian receive protection or guard-dog training. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. Anatolian crosses will be included in our efforts as we believe crosses not only have many of the unique needs/characteristics of purebred Anatolians, but are often born due to the lack of responsibility on the part of the owners of purebred Anatolians. The breed’s history in America begins in the years immediately preceding World War II, when the Department of Agriculture imported a breeding pair from Turkey to participate in the top-secret “Sheepdog Project.” The program’s objective was to determine which breeds would be best suited for work on American sheep pastures. Hip dysplasia is not common in Anatolians, nor is bloat, a life-threatening twisting and inversion of the stomach.