The
Anatolian Shepherd Dog is 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 its territory is acceptable. Fluid movement
and even temperament is desirable.
|
|
| Breed Name |
Anatolian Shepherd Dog |
| Country Of
Origin |
Anatolia (Turkey) |
| Group |
Working |
|
Coat |
Short, Rough |
|
Height |
27" to
32" |
| Weight |
80 to
150 lbs |
| Temperament |
Alert, Intelligent, Calm |
| Activity Level |
Medium |
| Learning Rate |
High |
|
Litter Size |
N/A |
| Life Span |
6 to
8 Years |
|
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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 four inches at the base to six 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 centerline
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.
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.
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 are 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 (one 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.
Temperament
Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he
is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive.
Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and
off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not
characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged.
Disqualifications
Blue eyes or eyes of two different colors.
Erect ears.
Overshot, undershot, or wry bite.
If you are interested in a
Anatolian Shepherd
Dog Puppy:
See our
PUPPIES FOR SALE
or use our
FREE PUPPY FINDER program. |
