Dog Bark Collars

The Anatolian Shepherd is a large, muscular dog that is commonly used as a sheep guardian. A native of Turkey, the Anatolian stands between 26 and 30 inches at the withers, and can weigh as much as 150 pounds. They are sturdy dogs, with a thick neck, a large head, and a solid build.

The Anatolian is a powerful breed, capable of taking on most predators. However, the body is lean rather than bulky, with the thick coat making them look heavier than they actually are. The tail is long and when the dog is alert it curls up over the back. The coat is usually fawn, and the dog sports a black “face mask”.

An ancient dog breed, the Anatolian is revered as a national treasure and is considered the national dog of Turkey. They’ve been guarding sheep in the Sivas-Kangal region of Turkey for hundreds of years, but have also been used as hunting dogs, and as military dogs.

These dogs are afraid of nothing and will take on wolves, bears and other predators to protect their flock. The are particularly rugged and can live outdoors in any temperature.

The Anatolians guarding instincts have been shaped by centuries of responsibility as a stock guardian. They are fiercely protective of those in their charge, and that of course includes their human family.

As long as you understand the dog’s temperament, this could be a good pet for you. This is not however a breed suited to the novice dog owner. They are known to be quite assertive and require someone who can provide dominant leadership. On the plus side, they are very good with kids, accepting of other pets, and as already mentioned, excellent guard dogs.

You should be aware though, that they are at their most vigilant at night, and tend to bark a lot. This behavior can be addressed with early socialization and obedience training.

If you’re stuck for names for your Anatolian, try I puppy-names-hq.com, a site with 1000s of dog names, including a mega list of cool dog names to choose from.

The Anatolian is a robust, healthy breed with few major health concerns. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and eyelid entropion do occur, but none of the dread diseases present in some dog breeds. They can live 12 years or longer, a long time for such a large breed.

One health related problem specific to this breed, is a slow immune system. This makes them sensitive to most forms of anesthetic.

The Anatolian is quite an easy dog to maintain. They do shed heavily twice annually, and you’ll have to brush the coat every day during this period.

The Anatolian requires quite a lot of space, so apartment living is definitely out. A house with a large garden will be fine, bur remember, the dog will still need to be walked daily.

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