Menu
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog weighs between 27 and 29 inches on the shoulder and can weigh up to 150 pounds. A naturally muscled but nimble ghost, Anatolian is more than a match for the poachers and hard-to-reach areas of their homeland. Anatolians descend from some of the oldest known domestic-canine bloodlines. It gives the breed a sense of timelessness, a no-frills, untouched quality that takes us back to the Bronze Age for 6,000 years.
Anatolies are smart, dedicated, responsive and adaptable. They will protect their herds — livestock, children, small dogs, even the family cat. Anatolian owners must be strong leaders, they must be willing and able to handle a dog as domineering and demanding as he is calm and loving.
The central region of Anatolia is a high plateau of endless plains and rolling hills. Summers are dry and brutally hot, and winters are icy, with sub-zero temperatures. In this harsh time, the ferocious betrayal of the Anatolian Shepherd maintained his long-standing reputation as the supreme protector of the herd.
The ancient artefacts dating back to the days of the Babylonian Empire are documents of the ancestors of the breed. Assyrian relief-relief carvings placed in the British Museum, dating back to 2000 BCE, depict large dogs of the recognizable Anatolian Shepherd type. The earliest books of the Bible refer to shepherds whose dogs were some local adaptations of the Anatolian.
The history of the breed in the US begins in the years before World War II, when the Department of Agriculture imported a breeding pair from Turkey to participate in the top-secret “Sheepdog Project”. The purpose of the program was to determine which breeds would be best suited for work on American sheep pastures. With the outbreak of war, the project was disbanded and the Anatolians and their offspring were dispersed.
American rankers began importing anatolees in the later 1950s, but the breed took hold in this country in the 1970s. The credit for firmly establishing the breed in the US goes to Lieutenant Robert Ballard, the US Navy, who acquired a pair of Anatolians while stationed in Turkey. He brought them to America and banned their first littler in 1970.
This new breeding activity coincided with the passage of the Endangered Species Act. The new law requires that hunters cutting the field control the population of wolves, without killing them. The Anatolian Shepherd, who wanted to intimidate hunters rather than fight them, was perfectly suited for the job. Many Anatolian shepherds are still working as ranch dogs, protecting everyone from sheep and goats to ostrich and llamas.
Big, stunning and powerful, possessing great endurance and agility. Developed through a set of very demanding circumstances for a purely utilitarian purpose; He is a dog with no equal work, with an uncanny ability to protect livestock. General Assumption – appears bold, but serene until challenged. He has a shape, good bone, a well muscular torso with a strong head. Reserve outside your area is acceptable. Fluid movement and even temperament is desirable.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days
The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time
Anatolian Shepherd Dog should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is professionally manufactured or home-prepared with the supervision and approval of your veterinarian. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). Anatolians do not have to do much. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Because he only needs a moderate amount of exercise, an anatolian will be happy over time in a yard – make sure he has a long, strong fence and a closed gate and long walks once or twice a day. However, remember that whenever he is taken out of the house, he must lease it to an Anatoli. As one breeder states, “Do not assume that your dogs will be reliable by leash. False protection on your part can become a disaster.
Anatolian is a healthy and hardy breed. Hip dysplasia is not common in Anatolian, nor is bloat, fatal, and reversible to the stomach. Owners should know the symptoms of bloat, however, in order to act quickly. The breed may be sensitive to anesthesia, and owners should ensure that their vet is aware of it before any procedure. There will be screens for the entry of good breeders, with the eyelids inverted, which can be surgically corrected. Anatolian’s ears should be examined regularly for any signs of infection, and the dog’s teeth should be brushed frequently.
Recommended Tests –