Akbash Dog
History
Originating over 2,000 years ago in Turkey, the Akbash Dog today is a rare breed. Used for herding farm animals and protecting livestock, it is believed that people used selective breeding with primarily white Shepherd and other herding type dogs, to create an all white coat on this breed, helping farmers differentiate between predators and livestock from far away. Loving, hard working and genuine are how owners of this breed today describe their Akbash Dogs.
Appearance
A large breed dog, with males and females measuring 27-32 inches in height, and weighing 95-130 pounds in weight. Available only in solid white, this breed has a thick, double layer coat that is actually weather-resistant, due to this breed being bred to be outdoors with livestock. Their large head is slightly square, with their two triangular ears folded down along side of their face. Their larger, almond shaped eyes are generally a light hazel to a darker brown in color. Built lean and tall, their legs appear to be thin and very long. Their tail is feathered with their double layer coat, and can be seen laying relaxed when the dog is comfortable.
Temperament
This breed is NOT recommended for apartments and specifically needs land to roam freely on that is properly fenced in and safe. This breed does best on farm land or at least 1 full acre of land to exercise on. The Akbash Dog requires at least 1 long daily walk, accompanied by some play time and mental stimulation daily in order to be calm indoors. Working breeds such as this breed, need more attention and communication when living in a home with a family and not working on a farm with livestock and herding, as it is in their genes. For this same very reason, herding and other farm working dogs, tend to "herd" or watch over smaller children within the home. This can be bothersome to some families. In general, this breed is very instinctive, protective of its family, and means nothing but good intentions. This breed does very well with babies in the home. When not receiving enough mental and physical exercise, this breed will become anxious. This breed tends to be suspicious of strangers, but will welcome those you welcome with happiness, into your home happily.
Grooming
This breed does shed. Due to their thicker coat, is is important to brush daily and pay close attention to after coming in from outdoors. Bathe when needed.
Special Notes
Please fully educate yourself about the Akbash Dog prior to adding one to your home to ensure you are able to properly care physically and financially for your new pup. This breed is not for everyone.
All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”.
The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.