Origin: Anatolia
Patron: Federation Cynologique Internationale
Characterisitcs: Active breed originally used as a guard dog for sheep: hard-working; capable of enduring extremes of heat and cold.
Classification: Group 2 (Molossian Type) Section 2.2 (Mountain Type).
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 people's lifestyle - 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.
Temperament: Steady and bold, without aggression, naturally independant, very intelligent and tractable. Proud and confident. Loyal and affectionate to their owners, but wary of strangers when mature.
Skull: Large, but in proportion to the body, broad between the ears, slightly domed, with a slight stop. Mature males have a 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.
Mouth: Teeth strong with a perfect scissors bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Complete dentition.
Eyes: Rather small in proportion to the size of the skull, set well apart, deep set, showing no haw. Golden to brown in color according to coat color. Eye rims black except in livers.
Ears: Medium sized, triangular in shape, rounded at tip, pendant with front edge held close to the cheek, higher when alert.
Neck: Slightly arched, powerful, muscular, moderate in length, rather thick. Slight dewlap.
Body: Powerful, well muscled, never fat.
Topline: Rather short in proportion to leg length, horizontal, slightly arched over loins.
Underline: With the belly is well tucked up.
Chest: Deep to point of elbow, ribs well sprung, ribcage sufficiently long.
Tail: Long, reaching to hock, set on rather high, when relaxed carried with slight curl; when alert carried high and curled over back, especially males.
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.
Feet: Strong, with thick pads and well arched toes. Nails short.
Hindquarters: Powerful, not overloaded with muscles. Hindlegs vertical when seen from rear.
Thigh: Long.
Stifle: Good turn of stifle.
Gait/Movement: Very noticable level line of body, head and neck when walking, movement even, supple and long reaching, giving the impression of stalking, with great power. Pacing is acceptable at slow speed. Mincing or hackney action highly undesirable.
Hair: Short or half-long, dense, with thick undercoat. Great variations in lenght according to climate. Longer and thicker at neck, shoulders and thighs. The coat tends to be longer in winter.
Color: All colors acceptable.

Size and Weight at maturity:
Height: Dogs: 29 - 32 in. (74 - 81 cm) at shoulder.
Bitches: 28 - 31 in. (71 - 79 cm) at shoulder.
Weight: Dogs: 110 - 143 lbs. (50 - 65 kg)
Bitches: 88 - 120 lbs. (40 - 55 kg)

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault. Serious Specific Faults: Low to the ground, heavy and slow, too massive, too light in build, whippety; flat skull; hackney action, mincing gait, stiffness. Coat too long and hanging.
Disqualifications: Muzzle too short (one third or less of total length of head); Coat: very short and smooth, devoid of undercoat; overshot or undershot; incapable of guarding livestock.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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