Anatolian Shepherd
Other names: Coban Köpegi

The Anatolian Shepherd is a highly intelligent, proud, independent and self-confident dog. They are ancestral guardians who show great interest in the protection of their family and territory. Without ever being unnecessarily aggressive but by showing a certain tenacity when it comes to protecting, these giant-sized dog are very wise, calm and gentle when they are with their family.
Key facts about the Anatolian Shepherd
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Origins and history
The Anatolian Shepherd is an old breed that most likely descends from the great hunting dogs of Mesopotamia. Over time, the breed has evolved to adapt to a series of particular circumstances: those that have most influenced their formation are the climate (very hot summers, very cold winters), the way of life of populations (sedentary, semi-nomadic or nomadic) and the type of work. The FCI officially recognized this Turkish breed in 1989.
Physical characteristics of the Anatolian Shepherd
Adult size
Female : Between 28 and 31 in
Male : Between 29 and 32 in
Weight
Female : Between 99 and 132 lb
Male : Between 121 and 154 lb
Coat colour
All hair colours are permissible for this Turkish dog breed except for Merle.
Type of coat
Their coat is short or mid-length.
The coat is twofold: a dense topcoat and a thick undercoat. The coat varies in length and density depending on the climate, it is generally longer in winter.
Eye colour
Their eye colour ranges from golden to brown, depending on the colour of the coat.
Description
The Anatolian Shepherd is a strong, large and robustly built dog with a powerful constitution. The head is broad and strong. The eyes are rather small in relation to the size of the skull, well detached and sunken into the orbits. The ears, of medium size, are triangular in shape and rounded at the ends; they fall against the cheeks and are raised when the dog is attentive. The tail is long and reaches the hock. It is set fairly high, carried low at rest and slightly curved; when the dog is attentive it is carried high, with the tip curved onto the back, especially amongst the males.
Good to know
Anatolian Shepherds are also used to protect protected species. In Namibia, cheetahs are a very serious threat to farmers and livestock breeders as they can kill dozens of sheep at once. Despite the fact that they are a protected species, shepherds are allowed to trap and kill these big cats to ensure the sustainability of their farms.
Nevertheless, in the 1990s, an American biologist proposed using Anatolian Shepherds to protect livestock and deter cheetahs from approaching. It worked very well as felines are particularly scared of big dogs. This way, sheep are protected, and cheetahs are spared.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Anatolian Shepherd
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Compatibility
Price
The price of an Anatolian Shepherd varies according to their origin, age and gender. It is necessary to count on average £1310 for a dog registered with the KC.
Concerning the monthly budget necessary to provide for the primary needs of a dog of this size, it is necessary to account for approximately £60/month.
Grooming
The maintenance of this dog is quite simple but requires time given its size. They need regular brushing to maintain the beauty and protective qualities of their coat.
Their drooping ears should be checked and cleaned regularly.
Shedding
The Coban Köpegi experiences abundant hair loss during the two annual moulting periods, spring and autumn. Brushing should be daily in order to remove as much dead hair as possible. Outside these periods, this dog loses almost no hair.
Nutrition of the Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd is not a complicated dog to feed, their harsh past and fine selection have made them robust and "off-road" dogs, so their diet is very frugal.
However, the owner of the Anatolian Shepherd puppy must be particularly vigilant during the first year of their life. Their rapid growth requires a high protein content diet. It is only after their growth is complete that a more moderate diet should be provided.
It is advisable to provide them with two meals a day, a light one in the morning and a larger one in the evening to avoid the ingestion of too much food at one time.
Premium quality kibble adapted to their age, weight and physical condition are sufficient, but depending on the time and the owner’s nutritional knowledge, this dog can also be fed with household food rations (meat, vegetables, cereals). Veterinary follow-up is recommended to promote a healthy and balanced diet.
Health of the Anatolian Shepherd
Life expectancy
Their life expectancy is estimated at 11 years.
Strong / robust
This is a very robust dog. The Anatolian Shepherd is made to live in the open air and adapts to almost any situation. They rarely get sick.
Withstand heat
Used to the very hot summers of its country of origin, this dog can withstand the heat well, but should not engage in intense physical activity during these periods. It is preferable to go out early in the morning and late in the evening so that they can fulfil their potential and release their energy without suffering from extreme weather conditions.
Withstand cold
Equipped with a double coat providing them with good protection, the Anatolian Shepherd is also fortunate enough to have a coat that adapts to different climates.
Tendency to put on weight
This dog can easily self-regulate, a healthy and balanced diet combined with regular physical activity prevents them from becoming overweight.
Common illnesses
This robust dog knows no specific form of disease. They are not particularly affected by conditions common amongst large dogs, other than hip dysplasia.