Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Group: Pastoral
Size: Large
Coat length: Short
Grooming required: More than once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Large House
Garden size: Large
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: More than an hour per day
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is large, Mastiff-type, muscular and powerful with a medium coat. They can come in a variety of colours but are usually fawn with a black muzzle.
They hail from Turkey and were bred to guard flocks of sheep. They were even used in combat. They are suited to living outdoors with a coat that can withstand extremes of heat and cold.
They need very firm but fair guidance. They have a strong protective urge towards their family so need to be trained to accept strangers. They need regular outdoor exercise and will remain active for most of their long lives.
The coat needs little grooming but will shed heavily at times.
They are prone to thyroid and eyelid problems. They are also sensitive to anaesthetics. As puppies, their immune system is slow to develop so may need boosters over a longer period.