Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

An Anatolian in France
Other names	Karabaş (Blackhead), Anatolian Blackhead (Anadolulu Karabaş), Kangal
Origin	Turkey
Traits Weight Male 50–65 kg (110–143 lb) Female 40–55 kg (88–121 lb) Height Male 74–81 cm (29–32 in) Female 71–79 cm (28–31 in) Coat short, rough Colour fawn, brindle Litter size 5-10 pups Life span 13-15 years
Classification / standards FCI Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossian: Mountain type #331 standard AKC Working dog standard ANKC Group 6 - (Utility) standard CKC Group 3 (Working) standard KC (UK) Pastoral standard NZKC Working standard UKC Guardian Dog standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Turkish: Anadolu çoban köpeği) is a breed of dog which originated in the Anatolia region of central Turkey. It is rugged, large and very strong, with good sight and hearing that allow it to protect livestock. With its high speed and agility it is able to run down a predator with great efficiency.The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom classifies it as a shepherd dog and Fédération Cynologique Internationale classifies it as molossus/mountain dog #331 (group 2 part 2.2)

The Karabaş (Blackhead) is descended from ancient types that migrated with the transhumance, guarding flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jackals, and even cheetahs. It is probable that dogs of this type existed 6,000 years ago in what is now Turkey. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are members of a very old breed, probably descended from powerful hunting dogs from Mesopotamia. This mountain dog 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. Although the first pair of dogs brought in by Roger Fanti Sr. were Karabakh (aka Kangal) dogs, other types of dogs were brought in later 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.