Unless we look at the whole picture from multiple angles we are sure to make mistakes. There is no point in lumping all Turkish livestock guardian dogs together as the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Breeders choose to do. Observing an Anatolian Shepherd Dog ring in an AKC or FCI show will clarify my point. Although they think they solved the problem of the Turkish Dogs by breeding them in all colours it is today obvious to the expert eye that the differences between different breeds of the Turkish livestock guardian dogs are far more than just colours. Most Anatolian Shepherd Dog seem to match the quasi-standard of the random population of dogs I mentioned above. Being able to produce fawn dogs with black masks seems to substantiate the claim that a Kangal Dog and a fawn Anatolian are just the same breed.
This has fooled no one in Turkey so far though. While it is almost impossible to distinguish an Anatolian from an ordinary street dog in Turkey, it is very clear to us that the Turkish livestock guardian dog breeds are clearly distinguishable and warrant their own breed status. If there were any justification for lumping all the Turkish sheep breeds together, then there might be some purpose in saying that all livestock guardian dogs in Turkey represent the same breed. The very existence of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog as a breed is an assertion that the Turks do not know what they are talking about. The opinion of a mere western breed club has presumed to dictate to the world how these dogs should be classified. The Turkish Kennel Club “KIF” is determined to protect these dogs as they are.
As well as their geographical surroundings, the character of these canine protectors is a determining factor. Traditionally thousands of years of shepherding have taught a simple fact to the shepherds: how to make best use these Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. They are required to have a certain style of working. They are expected to be loyal and protective of their premises while discriminating in their use of aggression towards people, especially children and women. A Anatolian Shepherd Dog with an aggressive nature in the village will serve a little purpose. No one would tolerate a dog attacking their neighbour’s children. But the very same dogs are expected to be fearless against predators such as wolves and bears. They should be strong enough to fend for themselves, providing life of service and expecting very little in return.
Appearance also matters in a livestock guardian. This is where a group of livestock protectors appears in distinctive physical characteristics which call for different standards. Compared to small to medium sized herding breeds such as Border Collies, Australian Kelpies, Belgian, Dutch and German Shepherd Dogs, livestock guardian dogs have different characteristics to enable them function to the fullest. Herding breeds with semi- or fully pricked ears and coat colours that contrast with the sheep do their job by keeping the livestock on their toes in order to direct them from one place to another. They are expected to be distinct from the herd so that they can stand out, moving the livestock around by agitating them under close supervision of their masters. They run around the flock barking and nipping at their heels. Their pricked ears and contrasting colours mimic those of a predator.
In attempting to reveal the truth about the Turkish livestock guardian dogs, we have to tackle the problem of arguing against some wellestablished misconceptions. Only then, can we freely celebrate these wonderful dogs. According to the widely accepted but totally fabricated theory about our dogs, Turkey is the homeland of only one breed of livestock guardian dog. And today this breed is known in the international dog world as the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. On the other hand, Turkey claims that she has more than one breed of livestock guardian dog, working with flocks in different regions of the country. Different dogs shaped by different terrains and different type of livestock animals have been bred for generations.
Anyone who has been to Turkey will confirm the striking diversity of the country. The range of climates and geographical features, and the predators they harbour, mould the livestock and their canine protectors found there. The north of Turkey has a mountainous geography with lush vegetation surrounded with forests, while central Turkey is more a steppe-like region with rolling treeless hills and sharp climatic differences between summer and winter. The further east you go, the higher the altitude, with colder and longer winters. In the mild Aegean region there seem to be no winter months at all except in the inland areas closer to Central Anatolian Shepherd Dog. The climate of southern Turkey has much in common with the Aegean; the Toros mountains roll along the northern line of the region and provide perfect high pastures for windling population of nomadic flock herders.
These different regions have developed their own livestock animals with differing characteristics such as size, colour, texture of wool etc. As for the Anatolian Shepherd dogs that protect them, we can clearly state that in accordance with the local people’s taste these dogs have been bred to work harmoniously with the livestock in the particular region where they are expected to survive. In the mountains where tall trees and bushes predominate, a large dog like the ones you can find in central and eastern Turkey will not function properly. Basically, the northern, western and southern regions have dogs of moderate size that would do well in the wellforested mountains or rocky hills with thick scrub.
In Central Anatolian Shepherd Dog the very hard conditions of the steppes require strongly built dogs. This is the region where the climate and geographical features are very much like Central Asia, from where it is widely thought that a substantial proportion of these dogs were brought into Turkey by the Turkic tribes at least 1000 years ago. These Anatolian Shepherd Dogs tend to have much heavier bone compared with those from the north, west and south. Long, ruthless winters allow only the fittest and strongest dogs to survive. The quality of the dogs improves in the regions where animal husbandry is the main economy.
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