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ARE YOU READY FOR AN ANATOLIAN?

It would be hard for an observer who had never seen a full-grown Anatolian Shepherd Dog to guess that the stocky little youngsters playing in a whelping box could grow up to be such imposing adults. The little Anatolian puppy with his floppy ears, oversized feet and inquisitive expression gives little hint of things to come. However, their beguiling appearance as baby puppies are no more indicative of things to come than is their diminutive size.

In the case of the Anatolian Shepherd puppy, what you see is most definitely not what you will get. For this very reason, the person who anticipates owning an Anatolian must give serious thought to the final decision. All puppies are charming and, in most cases, even cuddly. Anatolian puppies are certainly no exception. You must remember, however, that puppies are living, breathing and very adventurous little creatures that will depend entirely upon their human owners for everything once they leave their mother and littermates behind. And, in the case of an Anatolian, the end result may be more of an undertaking than the average person might be prepared for.

Careful consideration is appropriate regardless of any breed you might be thinking about bringing into your household. But beyond that, there are special considerations for those who might be thinking about the Anatolian as their first or even next dog.

As his history tells us, the Anatolian is a flock guardian and the absence of a flock makes the Anatolian no less a guardian, a job he performs at all costs! Centuries have been invested in cultivating and developing the breed’s protective characteristics, and you must not delude yourself for a minute that you will be able to change that heritage. The Anatolian’s entire genetic structure demands that he puts to use the very reason for which the breed was established and perpetuated. His well-being depends upon his being given the opportunity to exercise the mental and physical characteristics that he has inherited.

If given no flock to guard, the Anatolian Shepherd will protect you, your children, your property and any and every living thing that might be included in the territory over which he presides.

Given these opportunities, and given the guidelines by which his conduct is governed, the puppy you bring home will develop into a well-behaved and devoted companion whose loyalty could not possibly be surpassed by any other breed of dog.

Without an owner to set the rules, the Anatolian puppy can become an overbearing adolescent who grows into a domineering and aggressive adult that will make you regret ever having even considered dog ownership. Is the dog being impossible and incorrigible? No! The dog is simply following his nature, which demands that he put his incomparable abilities to good use. He believes that you have denied him this opportunity and failed in your responsibility to show him how you want this done.

Failure to think ahead and understand the amount of time and readjustment dog ownership involves is one of the primary reasons that there are so many abandoned canines that end their lives in animal shelters. Buying a dog, especially an Anatolian Shepherd Dog, before you are absolutely sure you want to make that commitment can be a serious mistake.

Before a person decides to buy a dog, there are some very basic conditions that must be considered. One of the first significant questions that must be answered is whether or not the person who will actually be given the responsibility of the dog’s care actually wants a dog—particularly a giant dog like the Anatolian that demands a high level of discipline and direction. This may sound like a moot point, but wanting a dog and wanting to care for him properly do not necessarily go hand in hand.

Children are often wildly enthusiastic about having a dog and, undeniably, pets are a wonderful method of teaching children responsibility. It should be remembered, however, that childhood enthusiasm can inspire a youngster to promise anything to get what he wants, but that same enthusiasm may wane very quickly. Further, today’s children have extremely busy schedules with homework, extra-curricular activities and social events. Who will take care of the puppy once the novelty wears off? Again—does that person want a dog?

When there are children in the home, it must be understood that they are most likely to be considered the Anatolian’s special responsibility. While he will protect them with his life if necessary, also understand that the Anatolian may not be able to distinguish a serious threat from the play-acting that your children’s neighborhood friends may participate in while in your home. Your Anatolian does not want his children harmed by anyone!

Anatolians are born shepherds. The flock animals accept and respect these dogs and take direction from them.

It will be entirely unfair to ask your children to govern their playtime with their friends to accommodate your Anatolian. Common sense indicates that your Anatolian is put away when visiting children are present. And that does not mean in the next room with the door ajar or on the other side of some flimsy partition. If an Anatolian believes his wards are being threatened, there are no lengths too great for him to go to rescue them.

Desire to own a dog aside, does the lifestyle of the family actually provide for responsible dog ownership? If the entire family is away from early morning to late at night, who will provide for all of a puppy’s needs? Feeding, exercise time, outdoor access and the like cannot be provided if no one is at home to do it.

That the Anatolian was forced to endure the extreme climatic conditions of Turkey with no provisions for shelter made by the shepherds does not mean that the dog should be subjected to the same treatment as a pet. The breed’s double coat serves to protect the Anatolian from all kinds of weather, but there should always be a place for the dog to retreat from rain and snow, and a shady place to rest in the heat of a summer’s day.

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 is especially so with the young Anatolian who is still learning what is a threat and what isn’t. Time and supervision help in this situation, but your Anatolian is going to let you know when there is anything going on that he isn’t quite sure should be taking place. His only way of doing so is vocally.

TRAINING THE ANATOLIAN

Commonly used training techniques may not always work with Anatolians, and new owners should stay in touch with the breeder from whom their dog was purchased so that they can be guided through problem training periods. Force does not work with this breed, and patience is high on the list of virtues a good trainer must possess.

TRAINABILITY

When you think about training an Anatolian Shepherd, you must first stop to remember his history: as sole guardian of the flock, this dog was expected to make sound decisions based on the welfare of his charges. That takes having a mind of his own and little or no experience in blindly following orders just because someone blurted them out.

Can you train an Anatolian? The answer is yes. Will it be easy? Well, a lot will depend on the individual dog and your ability as a trainer. Don’t, however, expect your Anatolian to do things like dash off after and retrieve a ball 88 times in a row. The Anatolian is more apt to assume if you’ve thrown something away, you probably don’t want it. And if he does bring the ball or tossed item back to you and you immediately throw it again, he’s far more apt to give you a puzzled look that tells you he thinks you’ve taken leave of your senses. In other words, blind and seemingly pointless obedience is not the Anatolian’s strong suit. Anatolians have acquired obedience degrees in competitions, but I wouldn’t anticipate their pressing Goldens or Border Collies in accumulating top awards.

There are times when your Anatolian needs correction, and you must be forthright and uncompromising in this respect. This, however, never means striking your dog. A rap on the nose with a finger or holding his head in your hands with eye-to-eye contact and a stern “No!” may well be necessary. The young alpha-type Anatolian male particularly can try and flex his dominance muscles. He must be made to understand that it is you who establishes and maintains law and order. Firmness will not shatter the Anatolian, but harsh methods can destroy the dog’s personality and trainability.

Repetition and determination work best with the breed and, once learned, lessons seem almost a natural part of the Anatolian’s character. Avoidance of bad habits works best. Not allowing unwanted behavior to occur in the first place is infinitely simpler than trying to convince your Anatolian to stop something he has been doing all along.

WITH OTHER PETS AND ANIMALS

Our Anatolian friend Toby lives in a home that also includes what I refer to as an entire “flock” of Papillons. When visiting there, I have watched in awe as the Papillons—adults and puppies—climb over and under this quadruple-dip vanilla mountain. The oldsters cuddle up next to him to keep warm and the puppies dangle happily off his ears. When the “Papillon Wrecking Crew” gets to be too much for the patience of this gentle giant, he simply nudges them aside and then stands by patiently for the next assault. But let a stranger or strange dog even threaten to harm a member of his little flock and Toby is ready, willing and able to turn himself into a canine tornado capable of taking down a full-grown man.

This is the same dog that amazingly plays sentry the minute he realizes one of the Papillon mothers-to-be is about to commence whelping. And this he knows long before there are any signs discernible to the humans who are in residence. No man or beast is permitted beyond the whelping room door other than his owner or the individuals to which his owner gives the OK, and then only when she is present.

Another Anatolian whom I got to know on a one-to-one basis is owned by a young lady who suffers from a physical disability. She uses her friend and companion as an assistance dog. He is always directly at her side to steady and support the woman to whom he is so obviously devoted.

Her Anatolian accompanies her everywhere, but I see them most often at dog shows where strange dogs of all shapes and sizes pass by. Her boy, however, ignores them all and usually will be seen fast asleep in the corner of a room somewhere just far enough away where he can keep a closed but somehow still watchful eye on his mistress. All his owner needs to do is attempt to rise from her chair and he is at her side. His awareness and keen sensitivity to her needs are remarkable and touching.

Your Anatolian would be no less diligent, watchful and tolerant if your other pets were cats, rodents or birds. But do note that I said your other pets. Woe be to the strange dog or other beast that might trespass! It had better be fleet of foot!

HEALTH CONCERNS IN THE ANATOLIAN BREED

The Anatolian Shepherd is still close to his Spartan working dog origins and presently has few significant genetic problems to concern new owners or breeders. The breed lives to a surprisingly old age for a dog so large. A well-cared-for Anatolian may easily live to be 11 or 12, many into their teens. Like all large dogs, however, the breed can occasionally be susceptible to hip and elbow problems, but responsible breeders continue to have their dogs x-rayed and seek certification for all breeding stock. The Anatolian can be extremely sensitive to anesthesia and anyone owning the breed should advise his vet of this problem. It is important to remind vets and their technicians of this periodically to avoid its being overlooked in notes kept on your dog.

DOGS, DOGS, GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!

People usually purchase dogs for companionship, but studies show that dogs can help to improve their owners’ health and level of activity, as well as lower a human’s risk of coronary heart disease. Without even realizing it, when a person puts time into exercising, grooming and feeding a dog, he also puts more time into his own personal health care. Dog owners establish more routine schedules for their dogs to follow, which can have positive effects on their own health. Dogs also teach us patience, offer unconditional love and provide the joy of having a furry friend to pet!

Another congenital defect occasionally found in the breed is entropion, a condition in which the eyelid rolls in toward the eye, allowing the lashes to rub against and irritate the cornea. It is important to consult your vet if excessive tearing or irritation persists.

Some instances of hypothyroidism have been reported in the breed as well. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland malfunctions, resulting in reduced output. The signs may include poor coat, lethargy and weakness, along with poor appetite in spite of increased weight gain. Treatment usually requires long-term, even lifetime, medication.

Although bloat (gastric torsion or dilatation) is not actually known to be an inherited problem, it does occur often in large deep-chested breeds such as the Anatolian. Little is known about the actual cause of bloat. Many theories have been offered, but none actually proven. This often-fatal condition seems to occur frequently at night after the dog has had a large meal, ingested a great deal of water and then exercises strenuously.

Symptoms can range from a severe attack of gas to death. It can occur so suddenly and swiftly that only immediate attention by a vet experienced in dealing with the condition will save your dog’s life.

Simply described, bloat causes the stomach to rotate so that both ends are closed off. The food contained in the stomach ferments but the gases cannot escape, thereby causing the stomach to swell, greatly pressuring the entire diaphragm and consequently leading to extreme cardiac and respiratory complications. The affected dog is in extreme pain and death can follow very quickly unless the gas is released through surgery. Again, immediate veterinary assistance is necessary if your dog displays any symptoms of bloat. Symptoms and prevention are discussed at more length in the health chapter.