Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was named after the region where they were said to have originated: Anatolia in central Turkey. The exact date of origin is unknown, but these majestic dogs are thought to date back to 2000 BCE. Experts believe this breed (or one closely related to it) is described in the Book of Job in the Bible.

For centuries, these dogs were virtually unknown outside of Turkey. This was no accident — Anatolians are so valuable to the Turkish that they were never exported to other countries. That changed in the 1930s, when a male and female Anatolian Shepherd Dog were brought to the US for a top-secret government program.

The Anatolian became more "pawpular" in the 1970s with the passing of the Endangered Species Act. This law protected animals that prey on livestock, like gray wolves, which meant that farmers were no longer allowed to kill them when defending their flocks. To fend off these predators without harming any endangered species, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs and other livestock guardians were deployed. The Anatolian Shepherd prefers not to fight predators but does have a fearlessness that allows them to face down a predator of any size and come away the victor.

Now, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are seen across the globe, protecting livestock and providing peace of mind for farmers and ranchers. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1999 and are becoming more popular in the United States. They are currently ranked 90th among the breeds registered with the American Kennel Club.