The Anatolian Shepherd is the largest of the Mastiff breed of dog.
Alternate Names
Coban Kopegi
Karabas or Karabash
Kangal Dog – refers to a fawn coloring from cream to red.
Appearance:
Body: Large and rugged with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs.
Coat: Short and dense with a thick undercoat
Color: Any color and markings including fawn, white, pinto, brindle, and wolf-sable.
Ears: Triangular-shaped or V-shaped and carried high when alert.
Eyes: Almond-shaped, dark brown to light amber and wide-set.
Feet: Oval-shaped, compact with well-arched toes and powerful.
Head: Large skull, moderate occiput and box-like muzzle.
Legs: Forelegs are straight and well-boned supporting well-developed and muscular shoulders. Hind legs powerful with broad, well-muscled thighs.
Neck: Well-muscled, slightly arched and of moderate length.
Size:
Weight: 80 – 150 pounds (36 – 68kg)
Height: 27 to 32 inches (69 – 81cm)
Tail: Long and set high. The tail is carried low when the dog is at ease or aloof and carried high and circular when the dog is alert.
Behavior
Recommended for experienced dog handlers.
The Anatolian Shepherd dog is a working dog and will not likely be interested in playing. They were bred for utilitarian purposes and prefer to tend to their responsibilities of guarding their family and flock. They will bond with both family and flock and take the job of protecting them very seriously.
Michele Welton of “Your Purebred Puppy, A Buyer’s Guide” states that the Anatolian will “make their own decisions about who is a friend and who is a foe, what is a threat and what is not, and they react to every situation as they see fit.” She goes on to say “Potential owners who cannot understand and control these powerful instincts should look for another breed”.
Because of their breeding, the Kangal dog fully believes they are in charge and will dominate every one and every thing around them unless managed by an assertive handler whom they respect.
Family children and submissive family pets will be accepted but strangers or anyone outside the family may not be readily welcomed.
Although they are very large in size and very protective, they are also a calm and quiet breed of dog unless aroused. They can be noisy at night when they are more attentive to their surroundings and will let you know of any unwanted movement in their territory by their deep and impressive bark.
Breed Type
AKC Group: Working Group
The Anatolian Shepherd dog is the largest of the Mastiff breeds originally bred for guarding flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, and jackals. They were not used for herding.
Care and Grooming
Exercise: A very large yard and a six-foot-high fence are the best for this breed as they need space to move around prefer to be outdoors where they can protect their territory. They prefer to get their exercise from working rather than playing.
Grooming: Moderate maintenance is all that is required.
Health
Life Expectancy: 10 to 11 Years
Possible Problems:
Demodectic Mange
Ear Infections
Elbow/Hip Dysplasia
Entropion (inversion or turning in of the eye lids)
Hypothyroidism (deficiency of the thyroid secretion)
Osteosarcoma
Country of Origin
Turkey – Anatolia