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
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.