Hi guys ... sounds like we have a lot of dog lovers here!! I am an owner / handler / breeder / lover of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs ... I started Alaturka Kennels in 1987. For those of you unfamiliar with the Anatolian ... they come from Turkey and have been around for thousands of years, making them one of the oldest of all the dog breeds. They were originally used as War Dogs, but eventually evolved into the best Livestock Guardians in the world!! This is a large to giant breed of dog with a calm, but serious temperment and the ability to do their job efficiently and precisely ... that being the protection of whatever they are living with. Anatolians have been known to protect goats, sheep, llama, alpaca, cattle, horses, cats and even other dogs. But, they are especially protective of their families. They do this without being overly agressive or vicious, but still manage to make sure nothing harms their charges. This is a very calm, stubborn, independent breed that can be the best or the worst dog you ever lived with depending on your ability to convince your dog that you are in charge.
I was once asked why I chose such a challenging breed of dog to live with. This was my answer ....
As a person who has lived with Anatolians since 1987, I can tell you that it has been a very educational journey for me. My first ASD taught me humilty and gave me a very refined sense of humor. My next several ASDs proved to me beyond any doubt that I never wanted to be without at least two of these really unique dogs. They are funny with a serious nature. They are calm, with spurts of hilarious energy. They are regal, with comic bouts of silliness, but never over the top. I love the gentleness of these dogs when they find abandoned kittens and lay for hours while these little fuzzies use them as a jungle gym. I love the way they look at a situation, figure it out, and then handle it in the most efficient way. I love the way people will actually stop what they are doing when I drive by with 2 or 3 of these guys in my van just to stare in awe at the absolute nobility of these dogs. I love the way they always seem to know when my spirits are down and how they are perfectly content to just lend me quiet support. And, most of all, I love the exquisite look of ecstasy that comes over my big male's face when a toddler runs over to him and throws its arms around his neck to hug him.
These are the most addictive dogs I have ever had and, over the last 50 years, I have lived with many different breeds of dogs .... none of which have ever made me feel so safe or so loved.
I was once asked why I chose such a challenging breed of dog to live with. This was my answer ....
As a person who has lived with Anatolians since 1987, I can tell you that it has been a very educational journey for me. My first ASD taught me humilty and gave me a very refined sense of humor. My next several ASDs proved to me beyond any doubt that I never wanted to be without at least two of these really unique dogs. They are funny with a serious nature. They are calm, with spurts of hilarious energy. They are regal, with comic bouts of silliness, but never over the top. I love the gentleness of these dogs when they find abandoned kittens and lay for hours while these little fuzzies use them as a jungle gym. I love the way they look at a situation, figure it out, and then handle it in the most efficient way. I love the way people will actually stop what they are doing when I drive by with 2 or 3 of these guys in my van just to stare in awe at the absolute nobility of these dogs. I love the way they always seem to know when my spirits are down and how they are perfectly content to just lend me quiet support. And, most of all, I love the exquisite look of ecstasy that comes over my big male's face when a toddler runs over to him and throws its arms around his neck to hug him.
These are the most addictive dogs I have ever had and, over the last 50 years, I have lived with many different breeds of dogs .... none of which have ever made me feel so safe or so loved.