Breed Priorities – Anatolian Shepherd Dog

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202 – February, 2026

By Nikki Riggsbee

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is an unusual working breed in that many of them still perform their original function. The majority of the Anatolians today, including those in the breed ring, work as flock guardians. The flocks may vary, and in at least some cases include guarding other dogs; but the Anatolians are still working at the jobs they have done for millennia. This breed may be the penultimate “dual dog.”

Twenty-five Anatolian Shepherd Dog experts were invited to take a survey on the breed’s priorities. Fifteen accepted the invitation. Twelve completed surveys were returned. The participating experts averaged over thirty years in the breed, which preceded full AKC acceptance.

The group emphasized multiple times that most important to this breed is their ability to do their job. This takes multiple physical and mental characteristics. Many breeds ask us to consider their original function. But for this breed, they are performing their job today.

Prioritizing Virtues

The Anatolian experts were asked to prioritize a list of virtues taken from their AKC breed standard. Below is the list in sequence by their average ranks, from most important to least important.

 Click here to read the complete article
202 – February, 2026

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=348719

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