We’re just having fun! Anatolian pups grow quickly and seem unaware of their great size…these 18-week-old pups can easily (and playfully!) overtake their owner.
The Anatolian requires no more than the standard care one would give any dog of its size in respect of brushing and care of the eyes, ears, foot pads and nails. The coat requires little other care except during its twice-a-year shedding periods. Vigorous daily brushing at that time will save hours of house cleaning. However, while grooming of an adult Anatolian doesn’t require as much time and patience as that for the luxuriously coated breeds, that does not mean that the breed needs no grooming—on the contrary! Lacking regular brushing, an Anatolian’s coat can deposit layers of loose hair on every surface in your home.
As great as claims are for an Anatolian’s adaptability and intelligence, remember that there is no new dog, no matter what breed, that doesn’t need to be taught every household rule that must be observed. Some dogs catch on more quickly than others, and puppies are just as inclined to forget or disregard lessons as young human children.
The requirements for Anatolian Shepherd ownership are high. Prospective owners must be willing to give the Anatolian Shepherd all the time and patience he requires to achieve his full potential. An absolutely secure environment is needed and the need for socialization must continue on through the dog’s early life. If an individual can meet the requirements of the breed, there are few breeds in the world today that can offer as much companionship and protection as Turkey’s gentle guardian of the flocks.
WHY A PURE-BRED?
Many people ask why they should get a pure-bred dog in the first place if there are so many special consideration involved. Probably the major reason, outside of the esthetic considerations, is the predictability of a pure-bred dog, a trait that is absent in mixed-breed dogs.
A GENTLER GIANT
The behavior and temperament of the Anatolian are usually much different out of his own domain than it is at home. Having no territory to protect, even the staunchest guardians when well socialized have proven to be excellent Therapy Dogs and have earned their Canine Good Citizenship certificates easily.
It is almost impossible to determine what a mixed-breed puppy will look like as an adult. More important, it is impossible to determine what the temperament of a puppy of mixed parentage is going to be like. Will he be suitable for the person or family who wishes to own him? If the puppy grows up to become too big, too hairy or too active for the owner, what then will happen to him?
Size and temperament can vary to a degree even within purebred dogs. Still, as stated, controlled breeding over many generations has produced dogs give us reasonable assurance of what the pure-bred puppy will look and act like when he reaches maturity. This predictability is more important than you might think.
Just about any dog whose background is made up of sound and sane individuals has the potential to become a loving companion. However, the predictability of a pure-bred dog offers reasonable insurance that the dog will suit not only the person’s esthetic demands but also the owner’s lifestyle.
Before you bring an Anatolian puppy into your household, visit breeders and spend as much time with both puppies and adults as you can. Be sure that the adult Anatolian is the dog that appeals to you esthetically and temperamentally, and, above all, that you will be a suitable owner for the breed.
TRUE TO HIS ANCESTRY
The characteristics of present-day Anatolians are not significantly different from those of the dogs that are working livestock guardians nor do those who cherish the breed want changes to occur. The breed remains protective and territorial, and adult Anatolians of the same sex may not always tolerate one another. The Anatolian needs a large area of confined space to exercise off-lead and is really not recommended or suited for life in the city.
CHARACTER OF THE BREED
By this time you should be pretty well convinced of the Anatolian’s ability and desire to protect. That is all well and good, but it is up to you to channel the dog’s desire so that this breed that has been required to make decisions on its own for thousands of years doesn’t protect you and yours from that which you need no protection.
The Anatolian is never far from his background…and never far from the flock when the opportunity arises.
A sound Anatolian that has been well trained is entirely capable of understanding “this person is OK.” Note that I said “capable of understanding.” He doesn’t come equipped with the ability to discern between the postman and a robber. That part is up to you.
The first Anatolian I met was “Toby,” a 120-pound cream-colored male, owned by a good friend of mine. The two met me at the door and Toby looked me straight in the eye without a clue as to whether I was to be “lunch” or his new best friend. My friend just said, “OK, Toby, a friend,” and then she turned to me and said, “You’ll be fine to come and go now.”
“Sure,” I thought, “I understand her, but does the dog?” Evidently Toby did understand, because he and I became fast friends and I came and went over the next few days without incident.
My next encounter with the breed was a tad more intimidating in that “Jake” was on the other side of another friend’s fenced property. When I drove up to the gate, I had to get out of my car to ring the bell that announced my arrival. Jake’s bark and bared teeth made it clear that in no uncertain terms my side of the fence is exactly where I should remain, and remain I did until my host came down and let our protective friend know I was friend and not foe.
For the rest of my weekend there, Jake was the most amiable and fun companion I could have imagined having. He was my hiking companion and, by mutual agreement, shared the guest room with me. He would also have gladly shared my bed had there been room for both of us. It was then and there that the Anatolian earned a special place on my list of breeds that I especially admire.
SECURITY
When the Anatolian worked as a guardian of the flocks, there were no fences. Rather, he staked out the territory that his herd occupied and trespassers were not permitted within those boundaries. Most of us do not live in pastures and, if we do not, we cannot afford to allow our Anatolian to define his own perimeters. It could mean instant death to an unsuspecting stray or a neighbor’s dog who did not understand that your Anatolian had included part of the road in his stakeout.
No Anatolian should be in a home that does not have a property that is secured by a fence of adequate height—at least 5 or 6 feet (152–183 cms)—and that has gates that can be locked. There can be no exceptions to this rule.
The Anatolian is not a dog that can be left on his own continuously. Yes, he spent little time with the shepherd in his life on the Anatolian Plateau, but don’t forget, he was working then. He was not only a protector but also a member of the flock with whom he lived. Thus, he had companionship. He had something to do and lots of woolly whites to do it with. Denied the opportunity to serve and protect, the Anatolian could easily develop behavioral problems, often manifested in destructive digging.
The Anatolian is an ideal family dog in that he is able to share his devotion with every member of the family and has an innate ability to adjust his own mood to that of a particular family member. Do understand that your Anatolian will be on patrol at all times and will advise you vocally of the least suspicious sound or movement. In other words, the Anatolian barks. This