SHORT HISTORICAL SURVEY - The Anatolian Shepherd is a shepherd's guard dog of ancient lineage, probably descended from the large hunting dogs existing in Mesopotamia. The breed has evolved over the ages to suit a specific set of circumstances. Of these the most formative are the climate (hot and very dry summers, very cold winters), the peoples' life-style (settled, semi- and wholly nomadic), and the work assigned to the dogs. They guard flocks travelling great distances on the Central Anatolian Plateau. They stay out whatever the weather may be.
GENERAL APPEARANCE - Large, upstanding, tall, powerfully built, livestock guarding dog with broad strong head and dense double coat. Must have size and stamina. Capable of great speed.
Important Proportions: Foreface slightly shorter than skull.
CHARACTERISTICS - An active breed originally used as a guard dog for sheep; hard working; capable of enduring extremes of heat and cold.
TEMPERAMENT - Steady and bold without aggression, naturally independent, very intelligent and tractable. Proud and confident. Loyal and affectionate to owners, but wary of strangers when mature.
HEAD AND SKULL
Skull: Large, but in proportion to body, broad between ears, slightly domed, with slight stop. Mature males have broader head than females.
Foreface: Seen from above almost rectangular. Profile blunt, tapering very slightly to end.
Nose: Black, except in livers, where it is brown.
Lips: Very slightly pendulous, black-edged. Edge of upper lip not lower than the profile of the underjaw. Tight lip-corners.
EYES - Rather small in proportion to size of skull, set well apart, deep set, showing no haw. Golden to brown in colour according to coat colour. Eye rims black except in livers.
EARS - Medium sized, triangular in shape, rounded at tip, pendant with front edge close to cheek, higher when alert.
MOUTH - Teeth strong, with a perfect scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Complete dentition.
NECK - Slightly arched, powerful, muscular, moderate in length, rather thick. Slight dewlap.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders: Well muscled, oblique.
Forelegs: Set well apart, straight and well boned; of good length.
Elbows: Close to sides, free moving.
Pasterns: Strong, slightly sloping when viewed from side.
BODY - Powerful, well muscled, never fat.
Topline: Rather short in proportion to leg length, horizontal, slightly arched over loins.
Underline: With the belly well tucked up.
Chest: Deep to point of elbow, ribs well sprung, ribcage sufficiently long.
HINDQUARTERS - Powerful, not overloaded with muscles. Hindlegs vertical when seen from rear.
Thighs: Long.
Stifle: Good turn of stifle.
FEET - Strong, with thick pads and well arched toes. Nails short.
TAIL - Long, reaching to hock, set on rather high, when relaxed carried low with slight curl; when alert carried high and curled over back, especially by males.
GAIT/MOVEMENT - Very noticeable level line of body, head and neck when walking; movement even, supple and long reaching, giving impression of stalking, with great power. Pacing acceptable at slow speed. Mincing or hackney action highly undesirable.
COAT - Hair: Short or mid-length, dense, with thick undercoat. Great variations in length according to climate. Longer and thicker at neck, shoulders and thighs. The coat tends to be longer in winter.
COLOUR - All colours acceptable.
SIZE -
Height: Dogs 74-81 cm (29-32 ins) at the shoulders
Bitches 71-79 cm (28-31 ins) at the shoulders
Weight: Mature dogs 50-65 kg (110-145 lbs)
Mature bitches 40-55 kg (85-120 lbs)
FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault.
NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.