ANATOLIAN
SHEPHERD | FCI
Standard nº 331 Official U.K.C. Breed Standard Revised April 1, 1998 |
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| Origin: Turkey Origin name: Anatolian Sheepdog; Utilization: sheepdog |
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| FCI Classification | - group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer Type, Molossian and Swiss
Mountain and Cattledogs; - section 2.2.2. - Molossian, Mountain Type - without working trial. |
| * Updated at august, 18 - 2004 | |
| GENERAL APPEARANCE | - a
large, upstanding, powerfully built livestock guarding dog that is capable
of great speed. The head is broad and strong, and the double coat is dense
in cooler climates. Size and stamina are imperative. A sound, structurally
correct dog demonstrating efficiency of movement always takes precedence.
Serious faults: Low to the ground. Heavy and slow. Too massive. Too light in
build, whippety. Characteristics: The Anatolian Shepherd is an active, hard-working breed thats original function was as a flock-guarding dog for sheep. It is capable of enduring extremes of heat and cold. |
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| PROPORTIONS | - (standard does not comment). | |
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| SIZE | - Height at the withers: males, 29 to 32 inches; bitches, 27.5 to 31 inches. | |
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length: (standard
does not comment).
- weight: males, 110 to 143 pounds (50 to 65 kg); bitches, 88 to 120 pounds (40 to 55 kg). |
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| TEMPERAMENT | - They are always steady and bold, without aggression. The breed is naturally independent, very intelligent and tractable. In manner, they are proud and confident, although reserved and unenthusiastic about show ring exhibition. They are loyal and affectionate to their owners, but are wary of strangers when mature. | |
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| SKIN | - (standard does not comment). | |
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| COAT | - double-coated. The outer coat is short or half-long and dense. The undercoat is thick. The coat is longer and thicker at the neck, shoulders and thighs. It tends to be longer in winter. There are great variations in length, influenced by climate. However, a very short, smooth coat and/or one that is totally devoid of undercoat is a disqualification. Serious fault: Coat too long and hanging. | |
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| COLOUR | - All colours are acceptable. | |
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| HEAD | - | |
| - | Skull | - The large skull is in proportion to the body. It is broad between the ears and slightly domed; mature males have a broader head than females. |
| - | Stop | - slight |
| - | Muzzle | - The foreface (muzzle) is always slightly shorter than the skull. When seen from above, it is almost rectangular. Its profile is blunt, tapering very slightly to the end. |
| - | Nose | - The nose is black, except in liver-colored dogs, where it is brown. |
| - | Lips | - The black-edged lips are very slightly pendulous. The lip corners are tight. The edge of the upper lip is not lower than the profile of the underjaw. |
| - | Jaw/Teeth | - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a perfect scissors bite, with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw. |
| - | Eyes | - rather small in proportion to the size of the skull. They are set well apart and deep set, showing no haw. They are golden to brown in color, according to coat color. Eye rims are black, except in liver-colored dogs, where they are brown. |
| - | Ears | - The medium size ears are triangular in shape and rounded at the tips. They are dropped (pendant) in type, with the front edge held close to the cheek. They are held higher when the dog is alert. Dogs imported from Turkey often have ears almost completely removed by cropping. |
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| NECK | - The muscular, powerful neck is rather thick. It is slightly arched and moderate in length. There is a slight dewlap. | |
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| BODY | - The well-muscled, powerful body is never fat. It is rather short in proportion to leg length. | |
| - | Top Line | - relatively level, with a slight arch over the loin. |
| - | Withers | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Back | - level. |
| - | Chest | - deep, descending to the point of the elbow. The rib cage is sufficiently long. |
| - | Ribs | - well-sprung. |
| - | Belly | - well-tucked-up. |
| - | Loin | - slight arch. |
| - | Under Line | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Croup | - of moderate length and slope. |
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| LIMBS | ||
| Forequarters - straight, well-boned forelegs are of good length and set well apart. | ||
| - | Shoulder | - sloping (oblique), well-muscled. |
| - | Upperarms | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Elbows | - free-moving are close to the sides. |
| - | Forearms | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Carpus | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Pasterns | - strong, slope slightly when viewed from the side. |
| - | Forefeet | - strong, thick pads and well-arched toes. The nails are short. |
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Hindquarters - powerful,
but are not overloaded with muscles. HIND LEGS - Viewed from the rear, the hind legs are vertical. |
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| - | Thighs | - long |
| - | Stifles | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Lowerthighs | - long |
| - | Metatarsus | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Hocks | - (standard does not comment). |
| - | Hindfeet | - strong, thick pads and well-arched toes. The nails are short. |
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| Tail | - set on rather high. It is long, reaching to the hock. When the dog is relaxed, it is carried low with a slight curl. When the dog is on alert, it is carried high and over the back, especially in males. | |
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| Gait/Movement | - At
a walk, the topline (from the point where the neck joins the head to the
set-on of the tail), is noticeably level; movement is even, supple and
long-reaching, with great power-giving the impression of stalking. Pacing is
acceptable at slow speed. Serious faults: Mincing gait. Hackney action.
Stiffness. |
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| Faults | - should be regarded in exact proportion to its degree. | |
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| Serious Faults | - (standard does not comment). | |
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| DISQUALIFICATIONS - as gerais. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness. A too short muzzle; one-third or less of the total length of the head. A very short, smooth coat. A coat totally devoid of undercoat. Overshot bite. Undershot bite. A dog incapable of guarding livestock. Albinism. |
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| NOTE: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. | ||