Akbash Dog

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Akbash is an ancient dog breed that originated in western Turkey hence the name from Turkey 'Akbas' meaning 'white head'. This breed is traditionally used as live stock guardian. In Turkey, this dog is owned and bred by villagers to protect live stock from wolves and other predators.

The Akbash Dog is long legged, lean, muscular with an imposing size and strength. It has great courage and stamina along with keen sense of hearing. This large dog is around 75 to 140 pounds in weight and range from about 27 to 34 inches when fully matured. This breed has characteristics of both Molosser and Sighthound breeds as it is believed that its ancestry was influenced by both breeds. This is apparent in dogs' long legs, deep chest, arched loin, shallow lower tucked jaw, speed and agility which is characteristics of sighthounds while Molosser characteristics include height, weight, broader head and overall impression of power. It's water resistant double coat is short to medium in length with coarse and non-matting fur. It has massive head with V-shaped ears.

This large dog is very agile and can move very quickly for its size and weight. Gender difference plays an important role in height and weight of this dog as female dogs are shorter and lighter than males.

This dog is a fierce live stock guardian as well as a very loyal, gentle and affectionate pet for its human family.
It is NOT recognized by AKC but UKC, NKC, CKC etc recognized this dog.

Color

The Akbash Dog is found in white colour. The white coat can sometimes have light biscuit colouring at ears.

Coat

It has a short to medium length, water-resistant double coat that has coarse outer guard hair and dense under coat with soft and smooth fine hair. Thickness of the undercoat varies with climate and exposure of the dog to weather.

Personality

The Akbash Dog has both aggression and gentleness. It is very hostile and fierce with predators and suspicious persons yet very gentle and kind to its flock and family. Naturally it is non-aggressive and its usual first means of protection is barking and growling. It normally chases away the predator and only attacks it when it deems right. Apart from its excellent capabilities as livestock guardian, this breed is very loyal, gentle and affectionate to its family including children and other pets but is wary and suspicious of strangers. It is very alert and attentive to its surrounding, always on lookout for intruders. Despite its independent nature, it reacts to basic obedience training. Properly socialized dog will become very good family pets.

Care

This breed sheds more than normal. Though the coat is usually clean, non-matting and odorless, regular brushing will help in shedding.

Training

This breed is a fast learner and responds well to basic obedience training specially if trained from puppyhood. The owners should always remember that it is a working and independent dog breed and training this breed may require some extra hard work.

Activity

Like all working dog, the Akbash Dog will require long daily walks. It is best suited to semi-rural or rural area where it can run and play as wish. This breed is not suitable for apartment life no matter how much exercise is provided. It will require a large yard with fence to live happily.