This is an ancient breed native to Asia Minor. It is also known as the Turkish Guard Dog that protects flocks and serves as a shepherd's companion. On the high Anatolian Plateau, where summers are hot and very dry and winters are cold, the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs live outside all year round. The first Anatolian Shepherd Dogs were imported to the United States in 1968, though the first successful breeding program did not get underway until 1970. Today it is still used as a sheep dog as well as a guard dog.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Karabash, is a large, noble and powerful livestock guardian. It’s capable of great speed and endurance. The skull is wide and slightly rounded, with a slight stop. The lips are edged in black and hang down slightly, however the upper lip should not hang down lower than the bottom jaw's lower edge. The triangular, pendant ears are often black and rather small with rounded tips. In Turkey, the ears are often cropped very short. The small, deep-set eyes range from gold to brown in color. Liver colored dogs have brown eye rims and a brown nose. Nose and eye rims for all other dogs should be black. The thick, muscular neck has a slight dewlap. The topline is mainly level; though slightly rounded at the loin. The chest reaches to the elbows. The back is short relative to leg length. When the dog is alert, the high-set tail is carried curled over the back; otherwise, it hangs low with a slightly upward curl reaching the hocks. The short or rough double coat is generally fawn with a black mask, though any color is acceptable. Other frequently seen colors include pinto, white and brindle. The outer coat is smooth and the length may vary greatly depending on the season and the dog's lineage - it is longer around the collar and tail. There are two basic coat types: medium length and medium long.