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Anatolian Shepherd

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Anatolian Shepherd Dog
An Anatolian in France
Other namesKarabaş (Blackhead), Anatolian Blackhead (Anadolulu Karabaş), Kangal
OriginTurkey
Kennel club standards
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Anatolian shepherd dog (Template:Lang-tr) is a breed of dog which originated in Anatolia (central Turkey) and was further developed as a breed in America.[1] It is rugged, large and very strong; with superior sight and hearing allowing it to protect livestock. With its high speed and agility it is able to run down a predator with great efficiency.[2][3]

History

The Karabaş (Blackhead) is descended from ancient livestock guardian dog types that migrated with the transhumance, guarding flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, jackals, and even cheetahs.[4]

It is probable that dogs of this type existed 6,000 years ago in what is now Turkey.[5] Since Turkish people did not arrive on the Anatolian Peninsula until the 11th century A.D. it seems unlikely that these dogs came in their current form with the Turks from central Asia.

Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are members of a very old breed, probably descended from powerful hunting dogs from Mesopotamia.[6] The breed was developed over time to meet a specific set of circumstances. The most formative were climate (very hot, dry summers and very cold winters), lifestyle (sedentary, semi-nomadic and nomadic) and duties (guarding flocks moving great distances on the Central Anatolian Plateau).

In the 1970s, breeders in the West became interested in these dogs and began developing the landrace natural breeds as modern breeds by documenting their descent from particular ancestors and writing breed standards. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was imported from central Turkey into the United Kingdom by author and archaeologist Charmian Hussey.[7] Although the first pair of dogs brought in by Charmian Hussey were Karabash (aka Kangal) dogs, later other types of dogs were brought in and cross bred under the definition of an Anatolian Shepherd dog. Many Turkish breeders believe that the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a cross of the Kangal dog and the Akbash dog.

Characteristics

Anatolian shepherds playing with an alaskan malamute and a huskamute

Appearance

The Anatolian Shepherd dog is a muscular breed. They have thick necks, broad heads, and sturdy bodies. Their lips are tight to their muzzle and they have triangular drop ears. Males stand 26 - 31 inches tall. Females are between 27 to 30 inches tall. They weigh between 90 and 150 pounds (41 to 68 kg), with females on the smaller side and males on the larger side. The coat may be any colour, although most common are white cream, "sesame," and white with large coloured spots that do not cover more than 30% of the body. Known as piebald, these colors may or may not be accompanied by a black mask and/or ears.

They have a thick double coat that is somewhat wiry, and needs to be brushed 1-2 times a week in warm weather due to excessive shedding. They have very thick hair on their neck to protect their throat. They are seen with docked as well as intact tails. They are a naturally thin animal with a large rib cage and small stomach. They look as if they are heavier than they actually are, due to the thick coat.

Temperament

Ali(Baba) guarding his flock.

The Anatolian Shepherd dog was developed to be independent and forceful, responsible for guarding its master's flocks without human assistance or direction. These traits make it challenging as a pet; owners of dogs of this breed must socialize the dogs to turn them into appropriate companions. They are intelligent and can learn quickly but might choose not to obey.

According to Turkish shepherds, three Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are capable of overcoming a pack of wolves and injuring one or two of them. These dogs like to roam, as they were bred to travel with their herd and to leave the herd to go hunt for predators before the predators could attack the flock. Therefore it is recommended to micro-chip and tag pets.

This breed is not recommended for living in small quarters. They do well with other animals, including cats if they are introduced while still a puppy and have their own space. They mature between 18–30 months. Both puppies and adults seem to have little interest in fetching or chewing. Rather, they prefer to run and sometimes swim.

Breed

There is some discussion about the fact whether the Anatolian Shepard is a distinct breed, or a general name for different types of shepards in Anatolia that look alike. (such as the Kangal, which is used as a synonym for the Anatolian Shephard and has the same 'Blackhead' -karabas- nickname) This view accept the name anatolian shepherd as a general name over the breeds such as Kangal dog, Akbash Dog, Aksaray Malaklisi dog. Recognization for the kangal as a different breed than the Anatolian shepard was retracted in Australia.

Health

Mortality

There appears to be only one health survey of Anatolian Shepherds,[8] done in 2004 by the UK Kennel Club.[9] The median life span for the 23 deceased dogs (a small sample size) in the survey was 10.75 years. This is several years longer than other breeds of their size, which have median longevities of 6–8 years.[10] The leading causes of death of the dogs in the survey were cancer (22%), "combinations" (17%), cardiac (13%), and old age (13%).

Morbidity

Based on a small sample of 24 still-living dogs, the most common health issues cited by owners were dermatologic, musculoskeletal, and lipomas.[9] Entropion and canine hip dysplasia are sometimes seen in the breed. Eyes and hips should be tested before breeding.[11]

Use in conservation

Anatolian Shepherd dogs are used by Dr Laurie Marker of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in their ongoing efforts to prevent cheetahs which have attacked livestock being killed by farmers.

These dogs are bred and then given to the farmers to use in protecting and guarding their livestock from cheetah attacks. The dogs are an effective, non-lethal discouragement that prevents the cheetahs from taking livestock. The incentive for farmers to preemptively shoot the cheetahs is thus removed, and the cheetahs then concentrate their hunting on wild game.[12]

Famous Anatolian Shepherd Dogs

In fiction
Other

Kangal/Anatolian Shepherd

The UK Kennel Club has announced it is to recognise the Kangal Dog as a breed with effect from July 2013. It also stated that dogs currently registered as Anatolian Shepherd Dogs may be eligible (where appropriate) to be recorded as Turkish Kangal Dogs instead.[13][14]

As of 1 January 2012, the Australian National Kennel Council no longer recognises the ANKC Kangal as being a separate breed from the ANKC Anatolian Shepherd.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Morris, Desmond. The ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds, 2001, p. 394.
  2. ^ http://www.akc.org/breeds/anatolian_shepherd_dog/index.cfm
  3. ^ http://www.asdca.org/
  4. ^ Meet the dog that thinks there's nothing sweetah than a cheetah mailonsunday.co.uk.
  5. ^ Anatolian Shepherd Dog AKC.org. 25 Sep 2011.
  6. ^ http://eng.royalcanin.com/breeds/dog-breeds/fci-group-2/anatolian-shepherd-dog
  7. ^ Interview with Charmian Hussey, MQ Magazine, Issue 15, October, 2005 retrieved 02 Oct. 2008.
  8. ^ http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Breed Data page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 8, 2007.
  9. ^ a b http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  10. ^ http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weight_and_lifespan.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Weight and Longevity page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  11. ^ Coile, Caroline, Ph. D., Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, Barron's Educational Series, 2005. Page 110.
  12. ^ http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=tour_conservation_panel83b_guarddogs_1of2.
  13. ^ "Recognition of the Turkish Kangal dog". Kennel Club. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  14. ^ "KC to recognise the Turkish Kangal Dog". Dog World. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  15. ^ "Anatolian Shepherd Dog/Kangal Dog". Retrieved March 2012. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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