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Anatolian Shepherd Dog

General
Other Names		Karabash or Kangal Dog
Dog Group Kennel Club		Pastoral
Breed Classification		The Karabash belongs to the pastoral group. Today it is still used by the shepherds of Turkey to guard flocks of sheep and goats.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£7.50-10 per week
Feeding Requirements		As these dogs are so large they do need a lot of feeding, especially as young dogs, and this can be quite expensive. The adult dog will not eat a vast amount of food once it is fully grown.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		A puppy will cost between £350 to £500. This is a hardy breed, so veterinary costs should not be too high.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years Considering the Karabash is such a large dog, they can live for 12 to 13 years, some live even longer.
Average Litter Size		11 Litter sizes are large, between 8 to 14 puppies, but the normal is around 10 or 11.
General Physical Description		The Karabash is a large powerfully built mastiff type dog. They are best known for their distinctive facial markings, cream to fawn with a black mask and ears. They have a short dense coat which is relatively easy to keep. As a breed they are slow to mature, males can be 4 years old and females can be 3 before they are fully mature.
Height Min Max Bitch 71cm (28") 79cm (31") Dog 74cm (29") 81cm (32") Weight Min Max Bitch 41kg (90lbs) 59kg (130lbs) Dog 50kg (110lbs) 64kg (141lbs)
Size Category		Giant
Weight Height Range		Dogs measure between 74-81cms at the withers, bitches are between 71-79cms at the withers. Dogs weigh between 50-64kgs and bitches weigh between 41-59kgs.
Ailments		The Karabash has been bred over many centuries and because of this is virtually free from hereditary health problems. They can have wry mouths and bad temperaments. Owners should insist on screening for temperament and physical traits, including hips and eyes.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		The Anatolian was once used for hunting lions and horses, now they are used for guarding flocks of sheep and goats in Turkey. They are an ancient breed that is regarded as a national emblem in Turkey.
Intelligence		A very intelligent and strong willed dog. They have been bred to use their initiative, making training quite hard. They require a great deal of patience when training and, even then, success cannot be guaranteed.
Show Characteristics		The head is large with a strong muzzle, males have broader heads than the females. The muzzle has slightly pendulous lips and a black nose. The eyes should be set well apart and be golden to brown in colour and are quite small in comparison to the rest of the head. The ears should be triangular and carried flat to the head. The neck is powerful, thick and muscular. They should be deep chested with well sprung ribs. The forelegs are set well apart and are well boned, the hindlegs are powerful and lighter than the forelegs. The tail should be carried low when relaxed and carried high and curled over the back when alert. The coat should be flat and lying close to the body. It should be slightly longer and thicker at the neck, shoulders and tail with no feathering on the ears or legs. They should be cream to fawn in colour with a black mask and black ears.
Country Of Origin		Turkey
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		> 2 hours per day. The Karabash needs a lot of exercise, lots of long walks. This dog is very active and can endure extremes of heat and cold conditions. They need a large, enclosed and safe area for running around off the lead and so do not do well in cities and towns.
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		High
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Low
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		Low
Level of Aggression		High
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		Anatolian Shepherd dogs are territorial. They are natural guard dogs, independent and very intelligent. They must be socialised from a very early age as their guarding instinct is very strong. They are gentle with children, but must be watched due to their size. They can be aggressive (especially the males) to same sexed dogs in the same household and, because of their susceptibility to fleas, should not live with cats or other household pets. This is not a suitable breed for novice dog owners.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		The grooming of this dog is relatively easy. The coat is short and dense with a thick undercoat and will only need brushing once a week. They will shed heavily during the moulting seasons.
Colour		The Karabash comes in a variety of colours including fawn, brindle and white.
Shedding		Heavy
Suffers From Allergies		True
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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