Anatolian Shepherd Dog
This Turkish breed makes an excellent loyal companion to an active household. He’s fiercely loving to those he adores and makes a good guard dog.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog At A Glance
| Lifespan | 10-13 years |
| Temperament | A calm breed however can be incredibly protective towards the ones they love. |
| Suitable | A breed for experienced pet owners who can provide the training and leadership they need. |
| Health | A generally healthy dog breed, however like all dogs they can be susceptible to specific health concerns. |
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Tissue Damage or Fracture | $6,847.80 |
| Thyroid | $700.00 |
| Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions | $457.46 |
| Skeletal Condition | $633.36 |
| Arthritis | $328.82 |
| Cruciate Disease | $664.26 |
| Neoplasia | $2,013.15 |
| Neurological Condition | $597.30 |
| Skin Conditions Allergy | $1,046.00 |
| Skin Conditions Lumps | $2,551.80 |
Trainability
The Anatolian Shepherd dog makes a star pupil at the local training school, that is…in the right hands. Being a super intelligent and independent breed, they can quickly become bored and choose to do something much more fun – like lying down and refusing to budge. For this reason, they need a firm yet gentle leader with a good dose of doggy experience. So, if this is your first time owning a dog, this breed may not be the best choice. This breed thrives with a consistent owner who understands the importance of training and socialisation. Being historically bred to protect their ‘flock’, they need strong leadership and good socialisation as a pup to grow into a well-rounded dog. Puppy preschools are a great way to start and offer your young pup exposure to different people and places. Enrolling in basic obedience is also recommended. Like with all breeds, training needs to begin the second you bring your bundle of fluff home. Having a clear set of rules will keep everyone on track in terms of what you expect from your pup. The Anatolian Shepherd will grow into a giant dog, so the behaviour you allow and encourage now (like jumping) may not be so cute in a 45kg canine companion. Doggy manners are paramount for large dogs – no pushing past you through doors or on stairways, sitting before they eat and no jumping. On-leash training is also essential, as this dog will literally drag you down the street if not correctly trained. Being a ‘protective’ breed, training will also ensure you have a well-mannered and controllable dog.
Grooming
With a relatively short coat, grooming is easy with this breed. They are also naturally clean dogs, so you will not need ample time washing and brushing. An excellent weekly brush will do, unless your dog is shedding, when you should increase this to around 3-4 per week to help with hair removal. This breed does shed – a lot, particularly during seasonal changes. Getting your pup used to nail clipping at an early age is recommended, too, desensitising your pup to touch (think ears, mouth, feet). This will help during vet check-ups. This desensitisation will make possible stressful situations much easier to deal with, particularly with such a large dog. If shedding is a problem for you when choosing your pet, you’ll find low shedding alternatives here.
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Common Health Problems – Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Known for their loyalty and protective nature, the Anatolian Shepherd, like all dogs, can be prone to specific health concerns.
- Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition from a malformation of the hip joint, Hip Dysplasia can cause pain, lameness and arthritis. Treatment generally involves corrective surgery, weight management and ongoing physiotherapy.
- Entropion: A condition of the eye that causes the eyelids to roll inwards. This can lead to eyelashes rubbing against the eye, leading to discomfort and infections. Surgery may be required to correct Entropion depending on the severity of the condition.
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (Bloat): A life-threatening condition commonly affecting large breeds. After eating, the stomach can fill with gas or food and twist, requiring emergency surgery. Avoiding exercise before and after meals and encouraging slow eating can help prevent his condition.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Like Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia is a hereditary condition that affects the elbow joint. Leading to pain and lameness, surgery may be required to correct this malformation alongside weight management, physiotherapy and medication.
- Eye Issues: Some Anatolian Shepherds can also develop common eye conditions such as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). These can lead to vision problems, and depending on the condition surgery may be required or ongoing veterinary support.
- Allergies: Anatolian Shepherds can also develop skin and food allergies like many dog breeds. This can lead to itchy, dry skin or digestive upsets. Treatment will involve identifying the allergen and prevention. Medication, diet changes, and medicated shampoos may be needed to help control symptoms.
- Heart Problems: Anatolian Shepherds are also at risk of developing certain heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This condition can be helped with medication, diet changes, and veterinary monitoring.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): A condition that affects many large and fast-growing breeds. An abnormality in the development of bone from cartilage causes this condition. It typically involves the shoulder, elbow, knee, and hock joints. This can lead to lameness and pain. Treatment requires surgery to correct the cartilage growth.
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis: A form of Hypothyroidism in dogs, caused when the immune system attacks the thyroid, leading to weight gain, lethargy, dull coat with excessive shedding and an increased dark pigment to the skin. Treatment typically involves lifelong medication.
- Obesity: Being so beautiful can lead to overfeeding by loving owners. However, obesity is a significant concern for many dog breeds. An overweight dog is an unhealthy dog. Obesity can also escalate many health issues. Feeding a correct diet alongside adequate exercise is paramount for all dog breeds.
Exercise Requirements
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog does require a good amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Being a large dog, care must be taken in puppyhood not to overexert fast-growing and large joints. However, your grown young dog will require a good run and leash walk daily. Early socialisation and training determine whether you can safely run your dog off-leash. A decent daily run is excellent for keeping your dog healthy and happy. Alongside a brisk walk in the morning before you head off to work. Just remember to keep some tasty treats with you! If your Anatolian Shepherd gets bored at any stage, they may park up on the footpath and refuse to move!
Intelligence
Being a brilliant and independent breed, the Anatolian Shepherd can undoubtedly think for themselves. This can cause some issues with training. Because of this trait, it is vital that your dog is correctly exercised and their environment is enriched with plenty of fun things to do when you are not around. Otherwise, your backyard may begin to resemble a golf course (with much larger holes)! Think boredom-busting techniques and puzzles and rotate toys daily. If intelligence is a critical trait for you, here’s some more info on the most intelligent dog breeds.
Family Friendly
With the correct training, socialisation and breeding, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog makes a great family friend. Care does need to be taken with tiny children as the breed is gigantic and can get into trouble for accidentally knocking over little ones. They can also be fiercely protective of the ones they love, so it’s essential to be extra diligent around strangers or friends who pop over to play with their ‘flock’. Like with all breeds, it’s important to teach your dog how to correctly interact with children and teach your children how to play/interact with your dog correctly. When socialised correctly from a young the Anatolian Shepherd Dog makes friends with all furry family members. If you’re specifically looking for family friendly breeds, check out our other recommendations here.
Indoor/outdoor?
This breed does cope with the great outdoors. However, like with all breeds – he will pine to be alongside his ‘flock’ and will thrive in the company of his humans. Like all dogs – they do not take well to endless hours outside alone or chained to a kennel area. They are free-thinking dogs who love a good space to run and play and decent fencing. Fences must be high and secure, as your dog will be fiercely protective, particularly when their leaders are not home.
Responsible Breeding
It is imperative to only source your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment to ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and ask to see Mum and dad. Contact your local breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick purchase, but it can save you and your family from unimaginable heartache and pain in dealing with a sick puppy.
Contact PIA for Anatolian Shepherd Dog Pet Insurance
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
