Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 13-15 years
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was bred to protect livestock and act as a guardian, so as such, they are strong and healthy dogs. This breed does not find itself victim to many of the joint problems that other larger breeds face such as patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, or elbow dysplasia.

The biggest health concerns that you need to watch out for include hypothyroidism and eyelid entropion.

Hypothyroidism can affect your Anatolian Shepherd Dog. This condition is marked by a problem with the thyroid gland and it can cause your puppy to gain too much weight and become obese or it can cause your puppy to not be able to gain weight. This condition is controlled with a special diet catering to the needs of your puppy and often times, your Anatolian Shepherd Dog will need to take medication.

Eyelid entropion is another condition to keep an eye on with your Anatolian Shepherd Dog. This condition occurs when the upper eyelid curls inward on your dog. This can cause superficial lacerations and infections from those lacerations on the surface of the eye.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog’s life expectancy is 13 to 15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog can best be described as strong, powerful, and protective. This breed is not considered to be aggressive, but it will protect those that it loves. Raised as a livestock guardian, these pups are independent and versatile. You can expect your Anatolian Shepherd Dog to tackle any obstacle in his or her way and tough out any terrain.

Because this breed is a livestock guardian, he or she has excellent vision and hearing, which will alert them to danger. In fact, you may hear your Anatolian Shepherd Dog bark at something that you do not even see there.

You will find that your puppy likes to roam and will often walk the fence line of your yard. This is not a concern as long as you have a secure fence and he or she cannot easily get out.

Anatolian Shepherd Dogs that are kept inside as house pets do make wonderful companions and are usually attached to one person within the family. This breed is known to be good with children and very tolerant of the child’s behavior around them.

It is important that you socialize your Anatolian Shepherd Dog as early as you can because they do have a protective side to them and do not accept strangers easily.

This breed is considered active and needs a yard to roam around in and tire himself or herself out. Your puppy will not do well in an apartment and should not be kept in the house all of the time. If you do not have a yard for your puppy to run around in, multiple long walks throughout the day may prove to be enough. This breed is not considered playful and you may have a hard time getting your Anatolian Shepherd Dog to participate in a game of fetch.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog barks by nature and has a loud, booming bark. This breed is intelligent and will train, but it can be difficult. Since they are bred to work as a livestock guardian, they are strong willed and independent, which means they may show a stubborn side in training.

Your Anatolian Shepherd Dog will try to assert himself or herself as the pack leader and will accomplish this if you allow them to. You need to remain consistent and firm in your approach to train him or her.

Grooming

Your Anatolian Shepherd Dog does not have a lot of grooming needs, but it is important to realize that this breed sheds a lot in the springtime. Throughout the year shedding is minimal.

You should brush the coat of your puppy two to three times per week to remove any loose hair and prevent any tangles or mats.

You do not have to bathe your Anatolian Shepherd Dog on any regular schedule. You should only wash him or her when it is necessary.

In addition to a brush and the occasional bath, you should also trim your puppy’s nails to prevent them from growing too long. If your puppy’s nails are too long, they can become painful, snag on carpet, and even split or break.

Diet

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is considered a large breed and as such, will consume a lot of food. The food that you feed your puppy should be wholesome and contain a lot of protein along with the nutrients that your puppy needs to grow and thrive.

The food you choose is important for the health of your puppy as their bone growth is important. If you are unsure of what type of food to choose for your puppy, speak with your vet and ask for some recommendations.

You can expect your Anatolian Shepherd Dog to eat four and a half to six cups of food per day. You should divide the food into two different meals, preferably once in the morning and once at night.
 

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Cost

An Anatolian Shepherd Dog puppy will cost you somewhere between $500 and $900. This price will depend on the sex of the puppy and the breeder you choose to work with.

In addition to cost of the puppy, you should also factor in the cost for vaccines, vet checkups, food, pet supplies, and similar. These extras can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 annually.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a wonderful breed to have in your home, especially if you want a dog that was bred to protect its herd. This breed gets along well with children and other pets in the home. While he or she may be difficult to train, it is not impossible. This breed ranks a 3.

 

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