Breed Specific: Anatolian Shepherd

Pikes Peak Vet wants you to know all about this protective and bright herding breed.

Personality: Anatolians are smart, devoted, responsive, and adaptable. Bred to protect their flock, which now often includes children and other family pets as opposed to livestock, they thrive when they have a job to do. Anatolian owners must be strong leaders as this breed is intelligent and independent-thinking and may not always respond to commands. Their calm and loving nature is one of the breed’s strongest attractors.

Males              Height: 29 inches         Weight: 110-150 pounds        

Females          Height: 27 inches         Weight: 80-120 pounds

Feeding/Treats/Weight: Discuss a diet for your Anatolian with your veterinarian. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can lead to obesity. Supplementation with joint protective products is commonly recommended.

Grooming: Bred to work outdoors, Anatolians have a thick undercoat that protects them from the elements. Some Anatolians have a long outer coat, but on most it is quite short and a quick brushing once a week will keep it looking good. Keep in mind, though, the Anatolian sheds his undercoat twice a year. During shedding season, he will need to be given a thorough brushing every few days to remove dead hair. A short-bristle brush and possibly a comb are appropriate. As with all breeds, Anatolians’ nails should be trimmed regularly.

Exercise: Anatolians do well with a yard they can patrol that includes a tall fence and a locked gate. A long walk once or twice a day will help them stay healthy. Your Anatolian must be kept on a leash outside of home and yard as a false sense of security can lead to disaster!

Training: Socialization and obedience training are a must for Anatolian puppies. Because they are independent thinkers, teaching them to respond to commands can be a challenge, so be prepared to stick with training for longer than just as puppies. “Under no circumstances should an Anatolian receive protection or guard-dog training.”

Thank you to the AKC’s Anatolian webpage for much of this information.

BASIC FACTS

Over the Anatolian’s 11-13 expected years, you and your vet will create a health evaluation plan to catch any conditions that may arise.

MEDICAL CONCERNS

• Hip and elbow problems
• Inversion of eyelids
• Ear infection
• Dental disease

Pikes Peak Vet has the goal of healthy longevity for your Anatolian.

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months, as advised by your veterinarian, until age 6, including a full physical exam and routine bloodwork
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings

• Knee and hip x-rays
• Eye exams to determine if surgery is needed
• Ear exams
• Routine dentistry as needed

Reach out for more information by phone or text at 719-475-1747, or through our Pikes Peak Vet app!