Anatolian Shepherd

also known as Karabash Dog, Kara Bas, Kangal Dog, Coban Kopegi, Scandinavian Nygaard Dogs, Kham Kepiji Dogs

Pros Summary


The Anatolian Shepherd is a large, livestock guardian dog breed that originated in Turkey. They were originally bred to protect flocks of sheep and goats from predators. The breed's name "Anatolian Shepherd" comes from its origins in the Anatolian region of Turkey and its purpose as a livestock guardian dog. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1996.

Breed Information


Type

Is Anatolian Shepherd a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Anatolian Shepherds originally used for?

livestock guardian dog

Lifespan

How Long Do Anatolian Shepherds Live? What is average life expectancy for an Anatolian Shepherd? How long can Anatolian Shepherds live?

10-13 years

The average Anatolian Shepherd lifespan is somewhere between 10-13 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Anatolian Shepherd Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Anatolian Shepherd?

What is the average height of an Anatolian Shepherd? How big is an Purebred Anatolian Shepherd height? Anatolian Shepherd dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 29-32 inches (73.7 - 81.3 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm) 30.5 inches (77.5 cm)
Female 28-31 inches (71.1 - 78.7 cm) 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm) 29.5 inches (74.9 cm)
What is the average weight of an Anatolian Shepherd? How much should Anatolian Shepherds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 110-140 pounds (50 - 64 kg) 75.0 pounds (34 kg) 102.5 pounds (46 kg) 120.0 pounds (54 kg)
Female 80-120 pounds (36 - 54 kg) 57.5 pounds (26 kg) 70.0 pounds (32 kg) 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Anatolian Shepherds get fat easily?

The Anatolian Shepherd is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Anatolian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Anatolian Shepherd is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is an Anatolian Shepherd personality? What are Anatolian Shepherd dogs best known for?

Bold
Independent
Proud
Confident
Intelligent
Steady

Shedding Level

Are Anatolian Shepherds heavy shedders? How Much Does an Anatolian Shepherd Shed?

Anatolian Shepherd dogs are extremely heavy shedders, they will lose a large amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Anatolian Shepherd.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Anatolian Shepherd dog?

The Anatolian Shepherd dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Anatolian Shepherds come from?

Turkey

Ancestry

What are Anatolian Shepherds descended from?

mastiff-type

Date of Birth

When were Anatolian Shepherds first bred? How old is the Anatolian Shepherd breed?

1800 BC

Anatolian Shepherd Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Anatolian Shepherd eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Anatolian Shepherd nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Anatolian Shepherd coat be naturally?

White
Brindle
Fawn

Coat Length

How long is an Anatolian Shepherds coat?

The coat of an Anatolian Shepherd falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Anatolian Shepherd Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Anatolian Shepherd?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Anatolian Shepherd have in a litter? How many puppies can an Anatolian Shepherd have in her first litter?

10-13 puppies per pregnancy

An Anatolian Shepherd can have a litter of 10-13 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Anatolian Shepherd dogs are a breed that can have difficulty adjusting to changes in lifestyle and living environments. They tend to be more comfortable in familiar and consistent surroundings.

Anatolian Shepherd Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Anatolian Shepherds have a lot of health problems?

The Anatolian Shepherd breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Anatolian Shepherd?

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Tongue Tie

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Anatolian Shepherds?

Entropion
Bloat
Hypothyroidism
Dental Disease
Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Anatolian Shepherd breed?

Heart
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Dental Examination

Anatolian Shepherd Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Anatolian Shepherds have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Anatolian Shepherds may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Anatolian Shepherds need socialization? How social are Anatolian Shepherds?

The Anatolian Shepherd dog has below average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be independent and aloof, and they are content with spending time alone and not requiring as much interaction and companionship as other breeds.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Anatolian Shepherds get?

The Anatolian Shepherd dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Anatolian Shepherd have? Do Anatolian Shepherds sleep a lot?

The Anatolian Shepherd breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Anatolian Shepherd drool a lot?

The Anatolian Shepherd is known to be an average drooler among dog breeds. Drooling is the unintentional flow of saliva outside of the mouth and can be a normal characteristic of certain breeds or it can be a sign of a health problem. In the case of the Anatolian Shepherd, it is a normal part of their physiology, however it is important to keep an eye on the amount of drooling and any changes in drooling patterns, as excessive drooling can be an indication of an underlying health issue and should be checked by a veterinarian.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Anatolian Shepherds tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Anatolian Shepherds exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Anatolian Shepherds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Anatolian Shepherd running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Anatolian Shepherd dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Anatolian Shepherds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Anatolian Shepherd busy?

Walk, Herding, Play, Run, Wrestle, Jogging, Fetching, Running, Playing Ball, Hiking

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Anatolian Shepherd? How much energy does an Anatolian Shepherd have?

Medium

Anatolian Shepherds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Anatolian Shepherd walk each week? How many miles should an Anatolian Shepherd walk every week?

10 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Anatolian Shepherd, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Anatolian Shepherd should exercise a day? How much activity does an Anatolian Shepherd need?

60 minutes

In general most Anatolian Shepherds usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Anatolian Shepherd?

The Anatolian Shepherd is a breed of dog that is known for its low grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Anatolian Shepherd?

Weekly

Anatolian Shepherd should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Anatolian Shepherds?

Slicker Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Anatolian Shepherd eat?

3 cups

For an average 110-140 pound (50 - 64 kg) Anatolian Shepherd feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Anatolian Shepherd Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of an Anatolian Shepherd is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Anatolian Shepherd Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of an Anatolian Shepherd is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Anatolian Shepherd Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Anatolian Shepherd?

The Anatolian Shepherd have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where Anatolian Shepherds lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Anatolian Shepherd dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Anatolian Shepherd dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Anatolian Shepherd do well in apartments? Are Anatolian Shepherds good indoor dogs?

The Anatolian Shepherd is not an apartment-friendly dog breed. This dog breed is best in a home with a large, fenced-in yard. They are not suited for apartment life and can become destructive due to pent up energy from being in a small space.

Child Friendly

Are Anatolian Shepherds good with kids? Are Anatolian Shepherds good around children?

Anatolian Shepherds are not the most kid-friendly dogs. If you have children, you might want to reconsider adopting another dog as a companion.

Senior-friendly

Are Anatolian Shepherds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Anatolian Shepherds good with cats? How friendly Anatolian Shepherds are toward cats?

Anatolian Shepherds are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Anatolian Shepherds can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Anatolian Shepherd dogs get along with other dogs? Are Anatolian Shepherds OK with other dogs?

Anatolian Shepherds are not dog friendly dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Anatolian Shepherd dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Anatolian Shepherds friendly with strangers?

Anatolian Shepherds are not stranger friendly dogs.

Playfulness

Do Anatolian Shepherds like to play? Are Anatolian Shepherds playful?

Anatolian Shepherds have an average level of playfulness. The Anatolian Shepherds, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Anatolian Shepherd easily trained?

Anatolian Shepherd dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Protective
    Anatolian Shepherds are naturally protective of their family and property and make great guard dogs.
  • Strong and hardy
    Anatolian Shepherds are a large and strong breed that can handle tough conditions. They are well-suited to life on a farm or ranch.

Cons

  • Large size
    Anatolian Shepherds are large dogs that require a lot of space. They are not suitable for apartment living.
  • Training and socialization
    Anatolian Shepherds require consistent and firm training and socialization from an early age to prevent them from becoming aggressive.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Keeping a Anatolian Shepherd in an office may not be ideal
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People prone to allergies may have a reaction to Anatolian Shepherds, as they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed.
  • Shedding
    Anatolian Shepherd dogs are prone to shedding more than most breeds.
  • Not cat-friendly
    Cats and Anatolian Shepherds are not a good mix.
  • Prone to certain health issues
    Anatolian Shepherds are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and bloat.