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WELL SOCIALIZED PUPPIES AVAILABLE AKC / OFA / WRITTEN HEALTH GUARANTEE WORKING / SHOW / COMPANION |
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| One of our litters. See the latest litter and older pups available for sale. E-mail for pricing and availabity. | |||||
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| A
LITTLE HISTORY
- The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is the
primary working dog of Asia Minor and is used for its
ability to protect livestock. The original Turkish name
for the breed is "Comar" (chomar).
The more commonly used Turkish expression, "Coban
Kopegi" (choban kopeyi)
literally means "shepherd dog." Instinctively
protective, they are extremely courageous and highly
adaptable to specialized training. Turkish shepherd dogs are large. They are regarded more as workers than as pets. A farmer cannot afford to feed many. Dogs must justify the expense they represent. Since fences are uncommon, dogs must be intelligent enough to learn early that harassing livestock is wrong. Also, livestock at large must be guarded by something capable of overtaking a predator. |
 Our son Christian with Rudder's last litter |
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Since the Turk is prohibited from owning a rifle, the proven dog becomes his twenty-four-hour security system. To detect enemies, keen hearing, smell, and sight are basic requirements. The Anatolian's days are spent with the livestock, and if the livestock are corralled for the night, the dog then watches agricultural areas to deter bears and pigs from feeding there. |
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| In 1968 , Lt. R. C. Ballard, USN, was sent to Turkey where he settled his family in the city of Ankara. Friends told him that a dog would be the best deterrent against thieves. Turkish acquaintances suggested buying a pup from a locally famous guard breed called the Anatolian Shepherd. From farmers of an ancient village, which had been in existence since the days of Alexander the Great, they purchased a six-week-old male puppy, a brown and white muff of fur. The puppy was the whelp of semiwild parents, who lived alone for months at a time in the rugged country surrounding the village, with only the sheep they were protecting as comrades. The Ballards named the puppy Zorba. The Ballards also purchased a second Anatolian, a puppy bitch named Peki. Thus the Anatolian's entrance into the United States began. In 1970 Zorba and Peki were parents. |
One of Cheyenne's boys |
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| At Flat
Creek Farm we acquired our
first Anatolian Shepherd from Pilot's Peak Farm in 1999.
We had just moved onto 100 acres and by a round about way
ended up with two Saanen Does that I had sold to a family
friend back in 1994. Since we were always hearing coyotes
close to the house we thought it best to research
livestock guardian dogs. I had owned a Great Pyrenese
when we had goats in the past but she would always find a
way through the fence to our front porch. I decided to
search for another breed. Instead of getting a puppy, I was able to get an eleven month old bitch. She was beautiful! She was already 85 lbs. Her name was Rudder. She was raised with Boer Goats, just perfect! |
 Rudder's kisses always welcome |
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| So in
Rudder went with my Saanen Does. The goats have several
acres on which to roam but I kept them closed in the goat
shelter for two weeks so they could bond. . |
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| I walked
Rudder twice daily around her territory to get her
familiar with her boundries. We fenced the goats in with
four strands of electric fence. I won't say it was a
breeze for her to adjust to us or us to adjust to her.
It's a matter of being constant and having patience. She
still had a lot of puppy in her. . |
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| We then decided to get another bitch, Cheyenne. She was four when we brought her into our family. Being four she was more set in her ways. She also let Rudder know who was higher up on the food chain. Rudder behaved with submission to Cheyenne, eventhough Rudder was larger, she was younger. Both dogs settled into their new home after time, enjoying each others companionship, their goats, and us. Rudder gleaning from Cheyenne's character to be alert, intelligent, calm and observant, instinctively protective. We noticed a pronounced change in Rudder when she whelped her first litter. The step from puppy to adulthood. We are very pleased with our girls and Rudder's puppies are showing the same character traits as sets the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs apart from other guardian dogs. My Anatolian Shepherds are all working dogs, with dairy goats, and my Foxtrotter horses. You would not want to enter their territory without one of us with you. They know their job and they perform it well. God blessed us with this magnificent dog and although the Anatolian is not the dog for the impatient or intolerant, as Lt. Ballard says: "With proper guidance and consistent discipline while he is growing up, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog will be a source of pleasure and confidence to owner and family." |
My girls: Pilotspeak Rudder (front) and Sleepy-D-Acres Cheyenne |
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| Working Group Breed Standard By The American Kennel Club General Appearance |
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| Size,
Proportion, Substance General balance is more important than absolute size. Dogs should be from 29 inches and weighing from 110 to 150 pounds proportionate to size and structure. Bitches should be from 27 inches, weighing from 80 to 120 pounds, proportionate to size and structure. Neither dog nor bitch appear fat. Both dog and bitch should be rectangular, in direct proportion to height. Measurements and weights apply at age 2 or older. |
Rudder's sibling: CH Pilotspeak Gunner owned by Sherry Baker, Pilot's Peak Farm #3 in Anatolian Rankings for Anatolian Shepherds who competed in AKC shows during 2001 |
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| Head Expression should be intelligent. Eyes are medium size, set apart, almond shaped and dark brown to light amber in color. Blue eyes or eyes of two different colors are a disqualification. Eye rims will be black or brown and without sag or looseness of haw. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. Ears should be set on no higher than the plane of the head. V-shaped, rounded apex, measuring about four inches at the base to six inches in length. The tip should be just long enough to reach the outside corner of the eyelid. Ears dropped to sides. Erect ears are a disqualification. Skull is large but in proportion to the body. There is a slight centerline furrow, fore and aft, from apparent stop to moderate occiput. Broader in dogs than in bitches. Muzzle is blockier and stronger for the dog, but neither dog nor bitch would have a snipey head or muzzle. Nose and flews must be solid black or brown. Seasonal fading is not to be penalized. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. Flews are normally dry but pronounced enough to contribute to "squaring" the overall muzzle appearance. Teeth and gums strong and healthy. Scissors bite preferred, level bite acceptable. Broken teeth are not to be faulted. Overshot, undershot or wry bite are disqualifications. |
 Rudder's sibling, Alexa. Read their story in USA TODAY |
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| Neck,
Topline, Body Neck slightly arched, powerful, and muscular, moderate in length with more skin and fur than elsewhere on the body, forming a protective ruff. The dewlap should not be pendulous and excessive. Topline will appear level when gaiting. Back will be powerful, muscular, and level, with drop behind withers and gradual arch over loin, sloping slightly downward at the croup. Body well proportioned, functional, without exaggeration. Never fat or soft. Chest is deep (to the elbow) and well-sprung with a distinct tuck up at the loin. Tail should be long and reaching to the hocks. Set on rather high. When relaxed, it is carried low with the end curled upwards. When alert, the tail is carried high, making a "wheel." Both low and wheel carriage are acceptable, when gaiting. "Wheel" carriage preferred. The tail will not necessarily uncurl totally. Forequarters Shoulders should be muscular and well developed, blades long, broad and sloping. Elbows should be neither in nor out. Forelegs should be relatively long, well-boned and set straight with strong pasterns. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, oval in shape. They should have stout nails with pads thick and tough. Dewclaws may be removed. Hindquarters Strong, with broad thighs and heavily muscled. Angulation at the stifle and hock are in proportion to the forequarters. As seen from behind, the legs are parallel. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, oval in shape. Double dewclaws may exist. Dewclaws may be removed. |
 Two of Rudder's girls |
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| Coat Short (one inch minimum, not tight) to Rough (approximately 4 inches in length) with neck hair slightly longer. Somewhat longer and thicker at the neck and mane. A thick undercoat is common to all. Feathering may occur on the ear fringes, legs, breeching, and tail. Color All color patterns and markings are equally acceptable. |
 Christian with Cheyenne's latest litter |
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| Gait At the trot, the gait is powerful yet fluid. When viewed from the front or rear, the legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. With increased speed, footfall converges toward the center line of gravity. When viewed from the side, the front legs should reach out smoothly with no obvious pounding. The withers and backline should stay nearly level with little rise or fall. The rear assembly should push out smoothly with hocks doing their share of the work and flexing well. |
 Check out the gait on this puppy |
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| Temperament Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive. Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged. Disqualifications Blue eyes or eyes of two different colors. Erect ears. Overshot, undershot, or wry bite. |
Guarding the new arrivals |
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