that demands a high level of discipline and direction. This may sound like a moot point, but wanting a dog and wanting to care for him properly do not necessarily go hand in hand.
Children are often wildly enthusiastic about having a dog and, undeniably, pets are a wonderful method of teaching children responsibility. It should be remembered, however, that childhood enthusiasm can inspire a youngster to promise anything to get what he wants, but that same enthusiasm may wane very quickly. Further, today’s children have extremely busy schedules with homework, extra-curricular activities and social events. Who will take care of the puppy once the novelty wears off? Again—does that person want a dog?
When there are children in the home, it must be understood that they are most likely to be considered the Anatolian’s special responsibility. While he will protect them with his life if necessary, also understand that the Anatolian may not be able to distinguish a serious threat from the play-acting that your children’s neighborhood friends may participate in while in your home. Your Anatolian does not want his children harmed by anyone!
Anatolians are born shepherds. The flock animals accept and respect these dogs and take direction from them.
It will be entirely unfair to ask your children to govern their playtime with their friends to accommodate your Anatolian. Common sense indicates that your Anatolian is put away when visiting children are present. And that does not mean in the next room with the door ajar or on the other side of some flimsy partition. If an Anatolian believes his wards are being threatened, there are no lengths too great for him to go to rescue them.
Desire to own a dog aside, does the lifestyle of the family actually provide for responsible dog ownership? If the entire family is away from early morning to late at night, who will provide for all of a puppy’s needs? Feeding, exercise time, outdoor access and the like cannot be provided if no one is at home to do it.
That the Anatolian was forced to endure the extreme climatic conditions of Turkey with no provisions for shelter made by the shepherds does not mean that the dog should be subjected to the same treatment as a pet. The breed’s double coat serves to protect the Anatolian from all kinds of weather, but there should always be a place for the dog to retreat from rain and snow, and a shady place to rest in the heat of a summer’s day.
We’re just having fun! Anatolian pups grow quickly and seem unaware of their great size…these 18-week-old pups can easily (and playfully!) overtake their owner.
The Anatolian requires no more than the standard care one would give any dog of its size in respect of brushing and care of the eyes, ears, foot pads and nails. The coat requires little other care except during its twice-a-year shedding periods. Vigorous daily brushing at that time will save hours of house cleaning. However, while grooming of an adult Anatolian doesn’t require as much time and patience as that for the luxuriously coated breeds, that does not mean that the breed needs no grooming—on the contrary! Lacking regular brushing, an Anatolian’s coat can deposit layers of loose hair on every surface in your home.
As great as claims are for an Anatolian’s adaptability and intelligence, remember that there is no new dog, no matter what breed, that doesn’t need to be taught every household rule that must be observed. Some dogs catch on more quickly than others, and puppies are just as inclined to forget or disregard lessons as young human children.
The requirements for Anatolian Shepherd ownership are high. Prospective owners must be willing to give the Anatolian Shepherd all the time and patience he requires to achieve his full potential. An absolutely secure environment is needed and the need for socialization must continue on through the dog’s early life. If an individual can meet the requirements of the breed, there are few breeds in the world today that can offer as much companionship and protection as Turkey’s gentle guardian of the flocks.
WHY A PURE-BRED?
Many people ask why they should get a pure-bred dog in the first place if there are so many special consideration involved. Probably the major reason, outside of the esthetic considerations, is the predictability of a pure-bred dog, a trait that is absent in mixed-breed dogs.
A GENTLER GIANT
The behavior and temperament of the Anatolian are usually much different out of his own domain than it is at home. Having no territory to protect, even the staunchest guardians when well socialized have proven to be excellent Therapy Dogs and have earned their Canine Good Citizenship certificates easily.
It is almost impossible to determine what a mixed-breed puppy will look like as an adult. More important, it is impossible to determine what the temperament of a puppy of mixed parentage is going to be like. Will he be suitable for the person or family who wishes to own him? If the puppy grows up to become too big, too hairy or too active for the owner, what then will happen to him?
Size and temperament can vary to a degree even within purebred dogs. Still, as stated, controlled breeding over many generations has produced dogs give us reasonable assurance of what the pure-bred puppy will look and act like when he reaches maturity. This predictability is more important than you might think.
Just about any dog whose background is made up of sound and sane individuals has the potential to become a loving companion. However, the predictability of a pure-bred dog offers reasonable insurance that the dog will suit not only the person’s esthetic demands but also the owner’s lifestyle.
Before you bring an Anatolian puppy into your household, visit breeders and spend as much time with both puppies and adults as you can. Be sure that the adult Anatolian is the dog that appeals to you esthetically and temperamentally, and, above all, that you will be a suitable owner for the breed.
TRUE TO HIS ANCESTRY
The characteristics of present-day Anatolians are not significantly different from those of the dogs that are working livestock guardians nor do those who cherish the breed want changes to occur. The breed remains protective and territorial, and adult Anatolians of the same sex may not always tolerate one another. The Anatolian needs a large area of confined space to exercise off-lead and is really not recommended or suited for life in the city.
CHARACTER OF THE BREED
By this time you should be pretty well convinced of the Anatolian’s ability and desire to protect. That is all well and good, but it is up to you to channel the dog’s desire so that this breed that has been required to make decisions on its own for thousands of years doesn’t protect you and yours from that which you need no protection.
The Anatolian is never far from his background…and never far from the flock when the opportunity arises.
A sound Anatolian that has been well trained is entirely capable of understanding “this person is OK.” Note that I said “capable of understanding.” He doesn’t come equipped with the ability to discern between the postman and a robber. That part is up to you.
The first Anatolian I met was “Toby,” a 120-pound cream-colored male, owned by a good friend of mine. The two met me at the door and Toby looked
