Akbash Dog – The White Livestock Guardian Dog

The Akbash Dog or simply Akbash is one of the well-known herding dog breeds from the mountains of central Anatolia to the Mediterranean region. It grows huge and is easily distinguished from the Kangal by its white color. The breed is not officially recognized but is bred as a purebred outside of Turkey, especially in the USA.

The “Whitehead” Among the Anatolian Livestock Guardian Dogs

Turkish Molossians can weigh as much as an adult human (up to 64kg is considered the standard for male dogs) and can reach a height at the withers of up to 81cm or greater – animals taller than the standard will not be considered excluded from breeding. On average, dogs of the breed living in Turkey measure just over 75 cm at the withers. To the untrained eye, they can be distinguished from their close relatives in Turkey primarily by their pale yellow to white coat color.

Features of the Akbash: The not-so-typical Molosser

• The Akbash is a typical Molossian in many ways. The shape of his head with the loosely hanging flews is strongly reminiscent of that of retrievers such as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The frontal furrow is pronounced and the stop is very shallow.
• Triangular ears are set far back on the head and fall down to the cheeks, the tips are rounded.
• The eyelids, lips, and nose are colored black. Dark eye colors are preferred.
• The skin on the neck lies loosely and forms a small dewlap. Females have a much slimmer and slightly longer bodies than males, but all representatives of the breed are very athletic.
• The legs are very long and the trunk just barely reaches the elbow. Some animals have double dewclaws that are not considered faults.
• The tail reaches to the hock and is carried curled up. She is well feathered.

Fur and colors

• The fur is solid white or pale yellow. Some dogs have a slight biscuit coloration on their ears.
• The hair is longer on the body than on the head. The tail and legs are well feathered at the back. In the UKC, a distinction is made between medium coat and long coat.
• The hair on the face is very short and smooth.
• The dogs wear soft stick hair in two layers. The undercoat is dense and water-repellent.

Differences from other Turkish Shepherd Dogs

• The Kangal is slightly smaller and has short, cream-colored hair with a black mask.
• The black mask is also very pronounced in the Karabaş.
• The Kars Hound wears its dark shaggy coat a little longer than the other breeds.
• The Italian Maremma-Abruzzo Sheepdog looks very similar to the Akbash but is slightly smaller and slimmer in build.

The White Shepherd: History and Origin of the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs

Four breeds are grouped under the collective term Anatolian Shepherd Dogs: the Kangal, the Akbash, the Karabas, and the Kars Dog. Breeders still argue today about whether the four breeds should be considered separate breeds. They are listed as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club (UKC).

Origins of the Molossians

• The Akbash is genetically distinct from other Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. He combines features of the mastiff and the high physique of greyhounds.
• The shepherd dogs from Turkey are increasingly bred in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands.
• Molossians were already used as arena dogs in the Roman Empire.

The Protection Dog with the Gentle Disposition

The Akbash has been bred as a purebred without an official studbook for centuries. In his homeland, he still takes on the same tasks today as he did hundreds of years ago. All year round, he independently looks after flocks of sheep whose green areas are far from the farms. Heat, rain, and cold can hardly harm the dogs. They fight fearlessly against wolves and keep the flock together with loving severity.

Properties

• The Akbash have a strong protective instinct. He behaves lovingly towards family members, and he especially takes children to his heart.
• He wants to do his job as a guard dog and doesn’t let strangers into the house. It can still be socialized with conspecifics.
• He is intelligent and thinks for himself. As a family dog, he, therefore, behaves like a real herding dog and is sometimes dominant.
• Adaptability is one of his strengths, getting along well in both town and country. However, he needs a lot of exercises and meaningful employment in every environment.

The white nature boy

Shepherd dogs enjoy spending time outdoors and are often kept in kennels in their homeland. Because of their size, they should be kept on the ground floor and are not suitable for keeping in apartments. Your four-legged friend feels most comfortable when he has free access to the garden. The fence must be built so that it cannot be climbed, since the sporty animals can easily climb walls that are as high as a man.

• Dogs of the breed need a lot of exercise and exercise.
• Due to their nature, they should be kept as herding dogs.
• As a family and companion dog, the Akbash needs to be kept busy with professional dog sports and obedience training.

Training Large Dog Breeds: Only for Experienced Dog Owners

There are a few things to consider when keeping and training shepherd dogs with Anatolian roots. Keeping it as a companion dog is only possible if a large garden is available and the dog is actively occupied for several hours a day. As a shepherd dog in Turkey, he is kept free and does his work independently.

The Akbash as a family watchdog

In dogs of the breed, when standing, the head reaches over a meter high in males. They are ready to defend themselves and their families and exude dominance. When there is no herd to protect and they are under-challenged, they can exhibit aggressive behaviors. Visits to the dog school are absolutely necessary for puppies of the breed.