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INTRODUCTION TO THE STANDARD

In the earliest days of man’s relationship with dogs, he began to see that those dogs constructed in a certain way were more successful at performing the tasks assigned to them. It then became those particular characteristics that guided man’s breeding practices. The people who kept the dogs that were serving them best gathered to make comparisons and seek out stock to improve their own dogs. The more successful keepers were asked to observe the dogs at work and evaluate them.

With industrialization, little villages grew into large cities and towns and the citizenry moved into urban dwellings. Fewer dogs were given the opportunity to perform in the capacity for which their breeds were created. To avoid the respective breeds’ losing their ability to perform, dog fanciers began to select their stock on the basis of the conformation that they determined would produce the most successful workers. The guidelines became theoretical rather than practical.

In the case of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, as far back in time as one wishes to trace, the same characteristics were important. The dog had to be large enough and strong enough to handle predators of all sizes and degrees of aggressiveness. He had to be protective and of a calm demeanor to coexist with the flocks he attended. These characteristics typify the breed and remain paramount in the minds of breeders who champion the cause of the Anatolian today.

It should be noted here that these descriptions, written by knowledgeable individuals in the breed for their peers, were the forerunners of what are known today as breed standards. The descriptions were used primarily as checklists or blueprints to breed by and they served as reminders so that important points of conformation would not be lost.

Today’s Anatolian Shepherd Dog breed standard describes a dog that is entirely capable of performing the duties it has been called upon to perform for thousands of years. It includes a description of ideal structure, temperament, coat, color and the manner in which the breed moves (gait). All of these descriptions relate directly to the breed’s original purpose.

Outward appearance means nothing without correct structure underneath. Show judges use a hands-on approach to evaluating the dog’s physical conformation.

As stated, breed standards are used by breeders to assist them in breeding toward this goal of perfection. While no dog is absolutely perfect, the dogs that adhere most closely to the ideal are what breeders will determine are show or breeding stock. The standard is also used by dog show judges to compare actual dogs to the ideal. The dog adhering most closely to this ideal, in the judge’s opinion, is then the winner of his class and so on down the line.

An Anatolian dog of correct type, balance and substance.

THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB STANDARD FOR THE ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Large, rugged, powerful and impressive, possessing great endurance and agility. Developed through a set of very demanding circumstances for a purely utilitarian purpose; he is a working guard dog without equal, with a unique ability to protect livestock. General impression—Appears bold, but calm, unless challenged. He possesses size, good bone, a well-muscled torso with a strong head. Reserve out of his territory is acceptable. Fluid movement and even temperament is desirable.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE

General balance is more important than absolute size. Dogs should be from 29 inches and weighing from 110 to 150 pounds proportionate to size and structure. Bitches should be from 27 inches, weighing from 80 to 120 pounds, proportionate to size and structure. Neither dog nor bitch appear fat. Both dog and bitch should be rectangular, in direct proportion to height. Measurements and weights apply at age 2 or older.

HEAD

Expression should be intelligent. Eyes are medium size, set apart, almond shaped and dark brown to light amber in color. Blue eyes or eyes of two different colors are a disqualification. Eye rims will be black or brown and without sag or looseness of haw. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. Ears should be set on no higher than the plane of the head. V-shaped, rounded apex, measuring about 4 inches at the base to 6 inches in length. The tip should be just long enough to reach the outside corner of the eyelid. Ears dropped to sides. Erect ears are a disqualification. Skull is large but in proportion to the body. There is a slight center-line furrow, fore and aft, from apparent stop to moderate occiput. Broader in dogs than in bitches. Muzzle is blockier and stronger for the dog, but neither dog nor bitch would have a snipey head or muzzle. Nose and flews must be solid black or brown. Seasonal fading is not to be penalized. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. Flews are normally dry but pronounced enough to contribute to “squaring” the overall muzzle appearance. Teeth and gums strong and healthy. Scissors bite preferred, level bite acceptable. Broken teeth are not to be faulted. Overshot, undershot or wry bite are disqualifications.

Head study, showing pleasing type and structure.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY

Neck slightly arched, powerful, and muscular, moderate in length with more skin and fur than elsewhere on the body, forming a protective ruff. The dewlap should not be pendulous and excessive. Topline will appear level when gaiting. Back will be powerful, muscular, and level, with drop behind withers and gradual arch over loin, sloping slightly downward at the croup. Body well proportioned, functional, without exaggeration. Never fat or soft. Chest is deep (to the elbow) and well-sprung with a distinct tuck up at the loin. Tail should be long and reaching to the hocks. Set on rather high. When relaxed, it is carried low with the end curled upwards. When alert, the tail is carried high, making a “wheel.” Both low and wheel carriage are acceptable, when gaiting. Wheel carriage preferred. The tail will not necessarily uncurl totally.

Faults: General lack of power, bone and substance; weak topline; flat feet; weak pasterns.

Faults: Too coarse and Mastiff-like; upright shoulders; lack of angulation in rear.

FOREQUARTERS

Shoulders should be muscular and well developed, blades long, broad and sloping. Elbows should be neither in nor out. Forelegs should be relatively long, well-boned and set straight with strong pasterns. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, oval in shape. They should have stout nails with pads thick and tough. Dewclaws may be removed.

HINDQUARTERS

Strong, with broad thighs and heavily muscled. Angulation at the stifle and hock is in proportion to the forequarters. As seen from behind, the legs are parallel. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, oval in shape. Double dewclaws may exist. Dewclaws may be removed.

COAT

Short (1 inch minimum, not tight) to Rough (approximately 4 inches in length) with neck hair slightly longer. Somewhat longer and thicker at the neck and mane. A thick undercoat is common to all. Feathering may occur on the ear fringes, legs, breeching, and tail.

COLOR

All color patterns and markings are equally acceptable.

GAIT

At the trot, the gait is powerful yet fluid. When viewed from the front or rear, the legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. With increased speed, footfall converges toward the center line of gravity. When viewed from the side, the front legs should reach out smoothly with no obvious pounding. The withers and backline should stay nearly level with little rise or fall. The rear assembly should push out smoothly with hocks doing their share of the work and flexing well.