The Akbash

 The Akbash dog is a unique and remarkable breed renowned for its exceptional abilities as a livestock guardian. Here's an overview of the Akbash breed, its origins, and the qualities that make it an excellent choice for protecting livestock.

Origins: The Akbash dog hails from Turkey, particularly the western region known as Anatolia. The breed's name, "Akbash," translates to "white head" in Turkish, which aptly describes their characteristic white coat. These dogs have a rich history dating back several centuries and were selectively bred by Turkish shepherds to protect livestock from predators in the rugged and challenging terrain of Anatolia. 

 The Akbash is an ancient dog breed that dates back to between 750 BC and 300 BC. It is so old that scholars say it aided in the creation of mastiffs and sighthounds. It was first seen in what is now known as Turkey. When the ancient people of this land started domesticating cattle, they even started breeding dogs to protect their animals from native predators including wolves. The Akbash is the oldest of the Turkish guardian dogs, along with the Anatolian Shepherd and the Kangal.

The Anatolian Shepherd is similar to the Akbash and the Kangal. Some say Akbash's and Kangal's were used in the Anatolian Shepherd breed. When they are all lined up, the Akbash's can be identified due to their lighter and more slender appearance.

 The Akbash is a tall, alert dog with a large white head and a strong jaw. It has a white, weather-resistant double coat that helps it survive in cold weather. The hair is coarse but does not mat, and it lacks the unpleasant doggy odor that water dogs have.

It is a beautiful large dog with a friendly muzzle like a retriever but a much larger frame and higher stature like a Mastiff.

The Akbash dog breed combines characteristics from both the Sighthound and the Mastiff breeds, which are thought to have added to its bloodline It tends to inherit the Sighthound’s long legs, agility, and pace, as well as the stamina, weight, and height from a Mastiff.

The double coat is white, medium, or long. It may have grey or biscuit colorings on the head around the ears.

 Though more slender and lighter than the Kangal Dog, and a few other east European Shepherd breeds, the Akbash is a large dog.

• Males height is 28–32 inches (71–81cm)
• Females height is 27–30 inches (69–76cm)
• Males weight is 90–140 lbs (41–64kg)
• Females weight is 75–105 lbs (34–48kg)

Akbash puppies weigh 13 pounds on average at 7 weeks of age and reach full maturity between the ages of 24 and 36 months.

 The Akbash Dog is a cool, peaceful, independent, and steady home companion and guard dog. With his human family, cats, and other pets, he can be devoted, gentle, and affectionate. He is instinctively wary of them. They aren’t particularly fond of other same-gender dogs and may choose to be the only pet in the household. They are obedient, but they are also strong and determined, so it is not intended for inexperienced dog owners. It’s not a first dog breed, if not only for its size and strength.

To maintain a well-behaved family dog and guardian, the Akbash Dog should be appropriately and regularly socialized and conditioned from an early age. He should also be exercised, not excessively but enough to not get him bored. A bored Akbash Dog can become aggressive and destructive.

They are intelligent and relatively easy to train as long as they have a goal and are willing to please their owner,

 Provided early socialization, the Akbash is as submissive to and defensive of children as it is of livestock. In reality, it regards children as part of its flock. It is affectionate and loyal to its kin, but it is shy and wary of outsiders. This breed is mildly playful, it doesn’t have much of a hunting instinct and it doesn’t care for games such as fetch the stick or similar. It is also not overly energetic.

But it bonds well with all family members, and it’s friendly, gentle, and protective.

It is a big dog though, and it can be stubborn. That makes it more of a dog for the countryside than a dog for the city… More of a dog for the open country than for an apartment.

The low energy level can make it gain weight if not exercised enough. It should have space to move around and tasks assigned to it to be motivated. And it can be hostile towards other dogs of the same sex.

It can be a perfect family dog, but it needs space and a firm hand.