Anatolian Shepherd Rescue Information: The Anatolian Shepherd is a large breed with strong herding instincts. Anatolian Shepherds need strong leadership from their masters and are matched best with owners who have experience training dogs. An Anatolian Shepherd is a very loyal dog with strong protective instincts towards its loved ones. Anatolian Shepherds are wary of strangers and need to be introduced to new people. An Anatolian Shepherd is very friendly towards people he knows well. Anatolian Shepherds are caring towards children, but may not know their own strength and therefore need to be supervised around younger kids. A large fenced yard or farm environment is best for Anatolian Shepherds. Its ability to herd animals and protect the perimeter of a property makes the Anatolian Shepherd an excellent working dog.

Anatolian Shepherd Trivia: Anatolian Shepherds have long been valued by herdsmen for their ability to best wolves in a fight. Anatolian Shepherds are very closely related, some say identical, to the Kangal, which is the national dog of Turkey. Exporting Kangal dogs from Turkey involves so many restrictions that it is effectively outlawed. Dogs similar to the Anatolian Shepherd existed over 6,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Anatolian Shepherds have such strong herding instincts that they will treat other household pets as their flock and become very protective of them. Anatolian Shepherds are very independent and will take personal responsibility for guarding a flock.