The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a large and powerful dog, and as such is not suited for everyone. They were bred for hundreds, if not thousands of years in their native Turkey as Livestock Guardians for the flocks of semi-nomadic shepherds. Their natural foes included wolves, bears, and wild boar.

Livestock guarding dogs, in all parts of the Old World where they were bred, needed to be able to think and act quickly and independently to protect their flocks. This ability was highly valuable to the shepherds and therefore selected for. That same ability, coupled with his strength and size, can make the Anatolian more challenging to own than the average breed of dog.

It takes dedication and commitment to work with this independent breed. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Please be sure to read all about ASDs before considering adopting one!
These large dogs need a large yard and/or long, multiple walks each day to keep them happy, healthy, and out of trouble!

Other Livesock Guardian Breeds

Livestock or flock guardians are usually large, muscular and swift--capable of tremendous bursts of energy. Often working in desolate areas under minimal human direction, good flock guardians have the ability to quickly assess situations and make intelligent decisions on their own. This independence can be disconcerting to an owner who expects the flock guardian to be submissive and act only upon command. In order to develop a good working relationship with a flock guardian dog, an owner must understand this instinctive behavior. Although domesticated for centuries in their native habitats, these dogs are not very far removed from their feral ancestry. They protect those within their flock and within their territory. Their flock may be human and/or animal, and their territory may be as far as they can control. In some countries, livestock guardians breeds nearly were decimated by invaders who found they had to kill the flock guardian dogs before they could control a country. While livestock guardian breeds have some characteristics in common, these dogs differ from breed to breed, within breeds, and even among littermates.

There are approximately 26 different breeds of flock guardian dogs:

A great deal of research and evaluation should precede the decision to obtain a flock guardian dog. It is just as important to make an honest assessment of personal compatibility and the suitability of home environment for these working dogs as it is to research the individual breeds, breeders, genetic problems, temperament in lines and individual puppies.

Maremma Sheepdog at work.