The Hardworking And Hard-working Anatolian Pastor

This breed has acted as a guard dog and cattle guide for thousands of years. He is intelligent, active and independent, but at the same time very protective and connected to his family.

The shepherd of Anatolia has been protecting and managing livestock for centuries, in the same region that gives it its name. It has an imposing appearance and a unique behavior. We invite you to meet this giant.

History of the Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd is believed to have been a watchdog for 6,000 years. There are records that it was at least 4000 years ago. He has worked all this time on the Anatolian peninsula, although in recent decades he has conquered Europe and the United States.

Due to its imposing body and physical capacity, it is a perfect mountain guard dog. With his intelligence, he guides cattle, while with his body and his strength he is able to protect them  from predators such as wolves and bears.

Since the 1950s, when he came to American homes, he has become a companion dog. His protective instincts and his need to take long walks have not diminished,  despite all possible urban conveniences.

Characteristics of the Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a large, muscular dog. However, make no mistake:  the head and neck are so wide that they look bulkier than they really are.

In any case, it’s still an imposing dog. Both males and females usually reach a cross height between 70 and 80 centimeters,  and have a weight that varies around 60 kilos.

In terms of physical appearance, they have a big head and a wide neck. The ears are small in proportion and they carry them on the sides of their head. The nose is always black and, unlike other similar breeds such as the  mastiffs, the lips are tight and not drooping.

Their tails are long: they droop when they are at rest and may remain twisted in the back  when they are alert. The hair on the tail is slightly longer than the rest of the body.

In proportion to the overall size of this dog, he  has a shallow chest and a slender belly:  if the size were in line with the head, it could be even bigger and more voluminous.

The hair is semi-long and has a sublayer of woolly hair that protects it from extreme temperatures,  where it comes from. It can have several colors, but the favorite is fawn with the face and ears in black.

Behavior of the Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian shepherd has the  behavior of mountain shepherds: he is independent, vigorous, active, intelligent and protective. This shepherd  is connected to his human and animal family, and will defend them if he believes they are in danger. 

Furthermore, he  is brave and not intimidated: in addition to his size and independence, he is not a dog that can be forced to obey. However, an education based on respect, and that emphasizes  positive reinforcement,  gives great results with this breed of dog.

Due to his work in the mountains, he is a dog that,  as a pet, needs to exercise physically and mentally. The Anatolian pastor does not like city life: he will be happy in a rural environment, where he can take long walks in nature and sniff out many different places.

Care of the Anatolian Shepherd

This breed of dog  is prone to suffering from various hereditary diseases. On the one hand, those of big or giant dogs and, on the other, genetic diseases.

Regarding health problems, due to size, it  should be taken into account that hip or elbow dysplasia may arise, in addition to gastric torsion. Also, if he goes hiking in the mountains, you should very carefully check the hygiene of the ears and make frequent checks for  parasites  between the hairs.

Of the hereditary diseases, it was noted that there is a  higher frequency of problems in the jaws, eye problems such as entropion or hyperthyroidism. In all cases, a veterinarian will need to assess the need for preventive or curative treatments for these conditions.

Because of your hair,  you need to brush at least once a week to remove dead hair and avoid skin problems. In times of fur change, it is necessary to brush it more often. Also, thanks to their undercoat of fur, it’s counterproductive to cut them in summer: they help protect you from the heat.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog  is a breed of ancient dogs that, thanks to their physique and behavior, have worked for centuries protecting the herds in Turkey. They are active, intelligent and independent animals: you cannot force this dog to follow orders. You can only convince him to collaborate with you.