The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a native of Turkey, where he was developed as a shepherd's companion and livestock guardian. He was bred to resemble the size and color of the livestock he defended so predators would not detect him among the flock. Sometimes called the Anatolian Karabash Dog, he's a fiercely loyal guard dog and a large, impressive dog breed, weighing 120 to 150 pounds at maturity

Size

Males stand 29 inches tall and weigh 110 to 150 pounds. Females stand 27 inches tall and weigh 80 to 120 pounds.

Personality

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is highly intelligent, independent, and dominant. He thinks for himself — a necessary characteristic for a livestock guardian. He's very protective of his family and flock, and he considers himself to be constantly on duty.

Though protective, the Anatolian Shepherd is calm, friendly, and affectionate with his immediate family. He is not friendly with strangers and is very reserved with those outside his family, even if they're friends or relatives of yours.

Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner.

Always meet at least one of the parents — usually the mother is the one who's available — to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you're comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up.

Like every dog, the Anatolian Shepherd needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Anatolian Shepherd puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills.

Care

The Anatolian Shepherd is a hardy dog and can adapt to living outdoors, indoors, or both. He does not do well living in a kennel or at the end of a chain, however. He should be kept in a securely fenced yard — a fence at least six feet tall is required for this big breed — not only for his protection but also for the protection of dogs or people who might inadvertently enter his turf, which he will defend with all his might.

Because he is naturally wary of new people, animals, and situations, the Anatolian Shepherd must be socialized right from puppyhood. Obedience training and consistent leadership are also essential, because the Anatolian is so strong-willed. This dog has his own ideas, and he won't cater to his owner's every whim.

The Anatolian Shepherd will guard and protect without any protection training; in fact, attack training is not recommended for this breed. His protective nature grows as he matures; by the time he's about 18 months old, he usually voluntarily takes on the role of guardian.

Feeding

Recommended daily amount: 4 to 6 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl.

Keep your Anatolian Shepherd in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight, give him the eye test and the hands-on test.

First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise.

For more on feeding your Anatolian Shepherd, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog