How much will my Anatolian Eat?

• Puppy Anatolians should be fed a regular diet of puppy chow, while gradually mixing in adult low protein chow after 1 year.
• Adult Anatolians do not eat a lot for their size, and thrive on low protein foods, especially lamb and rice. They should not be fed high protein meals. Do not be alarmed if they go on a self proposed "fast" for a day or two, if the dog is otherwise acting normal, then you shouldn't seek care until after around 3 days.

How much will my Anatolian Weigh / How tall will they be?

Weight: Dogs 100-150lbs (45-68kg) Bitches 90-130lbs (41-59kg)

Height Dogs 28-30" (71-76cm) Tall Bitches 26-28" (66-71cm) Tall

How long will my Anatolian live?

• Life expectancy is 12-15 years

Are there common health problems I should worry about?

Some are prone to eyelid entropion (inward turning of the eyelid, causing irritation) or to hypothyroidism, which is an abnormality in the thyroid gland that can cause massive weight gain. . Hip dysphasia does occur, but is not as common as some other large breeds. The Anatolian Shepherd's immunity often takes longer to develop than with many other breeds and therefore young Anatolians should be given 4 distemper vaccinations in 3-4 week increments starting at 8 weeks. This vaccine is very important for preventing parvo-virus, a hearty virus that can live up to 6 months in the soil, and can lead to bloody diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, heart conditions, kidney problems and death. It is very important to not take your new puppy to any places where unvaccinated animals could have defecated, ESPECIALLY dog parks and pet stores, until they are fully vaccinated. Always have a qualified veterinarian, hopefully one accustomed with large breeds, help you with any possible health problems.  Ear infections are fairly common because of the floppy ears. Regular cleaning can help prevent these problems.

Where should I keep my Anatolian?

A large, fenced (5-6ft tall) yard is the ideal living environment for the Anatolian. Placement with his flock (whether it be your family or your livestock) is very important and should be done as soon as you get your new puppy. This helps them to know their job, and to understand who belongs to them and who should not be there.

Is the dog a 'barker'?

Adult Anatolians usually only bark when necessary as an alarm, some will bark more than others though, puppies will test their owners, and may bark at any noise or intruder.

What about Grooming my Anatolian?

The Anatolian requires little care, except with molting twice a year (they are a seasonal heavy shedder), when a thorough brushing is required.  Standard care for eyes, coat, pads, and nails is required.  They do tend to 'smell like dogs', but do not drool.

Does my Dog need a lot of Exercise?

• Yes, This breed needs a lot of exercise. If they are out with livestock, they will maintain their own exercise regime and need little other stimulation. For pets and companion animals, they need plenty of room to run and stimulation. Anatolians are used to having a job, so be sure to take them on plenty of walks, and wear them out with ball throwing, and other "no contact" activities.
• "No contact" activities means DO NOT wrestle with your Anatolian puppy, allow them to put their mouth on you, play tug of war, or chase. The reason I say this is for yours and your families safety. It's one thing to play rough with your 20 lb, 8 week old puppy that you can over power fairly easily. What's the harm? How about in two years where your 150lb adult dog rolls the next door neighbors 3 year old child, or knocks over your 85 year old grandma with a bad hip. It is always important that your dog learns to play "gently" with a game of fetch, or some other engaging activity that does not lead to bad habits.

Is the Anatolian Recognized by any organizations in the United States?
Yes, currently recognized by the: FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, NKC, SKC, NZKC, CKC, and APRI.

Currently, there are over 3000 Anatolian Shepherds registered in the United States. Anatolians can be registered with the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America and Anatolian Shepherd International.