Anatolian Livestock Protection Dogs Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a misleading name. The Anatolian is not a herding dog, but rather a livestock protection or guardian dog. These dogs have a history that appear to go back to areas in and around Turkey thousands of years ago. Nomadic herders are believed to have selectively bred these dogs to independently guard their livestock. Characteristics of Today's Anatolian The Anatolian of today seems to have the capacity to endure severely hot and cold weather conditions. Whether they adopt human or livestock family circles, they are extremely loyal to that family while maintaining an air of independence. They carry the speed necessary to deter threats and the size to take on large predators such as coyotes, bears, wolves, and mountain lions. While having this edge, the Anatolian seldom seems to use these tools to fight off predators. From outr observations at Shear Perfection Ranch, the Anatolians establish a protective area toward the center of the property with an outer defensive sector surrounding it. They pick a vantage point from which they can see the entire property. Their defensive posturing is slowly progressive. The initial barking is a mild yet confident warning to observed predators or intruders that there are better places for them to be. If that warning is not sufficient, the next is a more rapid, aggressive alarm bark which serves a dual purpose. Initially, it tells the intruder that the Anatolians mean business and it tells the sheep to retreat to the central protective zone. If there is more than one Anatolian on duty, one dog generally takes command of the outer perimeter while the other is stationed just outside the central protective area with the livestock. Actual confrontations with intruders occur rarely and only after warnings go unheeded. Anatolians Not for Everyone If you tend to spoil your dogs and let them run the show, then Anatolians are not for you. Anatolian owners must establish their position as pack leader, otherwise you will not be able to socialize your Anatolian to be obedient in unaccustomed surroundings and around unknown people. If you are unfamiliar with the techniques of establishing pack leadership, we recommend introducing yourself to The Dog Whisperer and Leader of the Pack. Anatolian Stats Males average 29-32 inches tall and 100-145 pounds. Females average 27-31 inches tall and 88-120 pounds. The dogs shown above are Shear Perfection Ranch dogs. The ones below are puppies we have raised and who have gone on to be employed at other ranches.