Anatolian Shepherd Dogs

Protecting livestock from wild animals is one of the most ancient uses man has had for domestic dogs. 

However, not every breed of dog can fill the role of livestock protector.  Specific breeds of livestock guarding dogs are more instinctively adapted for effective protection than other breeds such as herding dogs. Livestock guarding dogs bond with the herd and instinctively protect and guard against any threats, whereas the herding dog’s instinctive behaviour involves moving the herd and keeping it together.  One dog can not fill the role of both herder and protector. Ideally, a farmer should have a separate dog for each role.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog has been selectively bred for thousands of years to perform a particular function, that of guarding livestock. This specialized breed has proven to effectively guard sheep, goats, llamas, cows, pigs and turkeys against bears, wolves, coyotes, lynx, jackal, cheetah, caracal and baboons.  As such the behaviour patterns of the dogs are well documented and are made available to potential and current owners.