Anatolian Shepherd Dog

History

He originated in Turkey probably 6000 years ago
His job was to protect the flocks of Turkish shepherds from predators such as bears and wolves

He's protective and loyal to his family
He'll protect other animals in the home like they're his "flock"
He's intelligent, alert and observant
His independent nature means he can be slow to respond to your commands or may choose to ignore you altogether
A giant of a dog: he's very powerful, sturdy, swift on his feet and has lots of endurance
He's highly territorial and a natural guard dog
He's reserved around strangers
He can endure extreme hot and cold weather
He likes to wander outside and do his own thing; when bored he may become destructive

He's not easy to train. You will need patience as he is slower than most to learn obedience commands.

He sheds profusely! You will find a lot of hair in your home - stuck to your couch, carpets and clothes - and to just about everything else. You will be vacuuming regularly.

His short coat only needs to be brushed occasionally. However, because it sheds profusely you may find yourself brushing it a couple of times a week, or even daily, to reduce the hair in your home (what you remove with a brush doesn't end up on the couch!).