Akbash Dog
USD $500-$700 Price Avg.
Guard Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Large
Size
10-12 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Guard Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 192 |
| Origin | Turkey |
| Other Names | Akbash dog, Akbaş Çoban Köpeği, Coban Kopegi,,Turkish Shepherd |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $500-$700
How much does a Akbash Dog cost? According to a rough estimate, you will spend between $500 to $700 on your Akbash Dog if you purchase it from a reputable breeder. If you select a dog with exceptional bloodlines, the price may be higher. The price might even be higher if the dog has already been trained. You'll usually pay less if you get a Akbash Dog from a shelter. |
| Size | Large |
| Weight |
Male: 90–140 pounds (41–64 kg),
Female: 75–105 pounds (34–48 kg) |
| Height |
Male: 28–32 inches (71–81 cm),
Female: 27–30 inches (69–76 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Recognized by |
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And Not recognized by FCI. |
| Purpose | Protection |
| Date of Origin | 1977 |
| Ancestry | Turkish |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Smooth, Thick |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | White |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Hazel, Amber, Brown, Blue, Green |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black, Brown, Liver, Pink, Blue |
| Coat Color Possibilities | White, Cream, Gray, Brown, Black, Red, Fawn, Sable |
| Coat Length | Medium-Long |
| Coat Density | Medium |
| Coat Texture | Wavy |
| Recommended Brushes | Slicker brush, Pin brush, Undercoat rake, Shedding blade, Grooming mitt, Nail clippers |
| Brushing Frequency | 2-3 times per week |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Affectionate, Alert, Brave, Caring, Courageous, Daring, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Vigilant |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | Yes |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Yes |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Health Problems | Bloat, Epilepsy, Heart Problems, Hip Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Luxating Patella, Umbilical Hernias |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Prefers average to cold weather conditions |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Low |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 30 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 3-4 cup high-quality commercial dog food (that is formulated for large-breed dogs), divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 3-4 cups |
| Daily Cost | $10-$20 |
| Monthly Cost | $50-$100 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Akbash Dog have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 6-8 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Akbash Dog is a large, white-coated breed of livestock guardian dog that originated in Turkey. The Akbash Dog is known for its loyalty and protective nature, making it an ideal companion for those looking for a loyal and devoted pet.
Appearance: The Akbash Dog has a strong, muscular body with a broad chest and long legs. Its coat is usually white or cream-colored, although some may have light brown markings on their face or legs. The ears are erect and the tail is long and bushy.
Lifespan, Size, Weight & Colors: The average lifespan of an Akbash Dog is between 10 to 12 years. They typically weigh between 80 to 120 pounds (36 to 54 kg) and stand at 24 to 28 inches (61 to 71 cm) tall at the shoulder. Their coats come in shades of white or cream with light brown markings on their face or legs being common.
Personality: The Akbash Dog has a calm yet alert personality that makes them great guardians of livestock as well as family pets. They are loyal and devoted companions who will protect their owners from any perceived danger without hesitation. They are also intelligent dogs who can be trained easily if given proper guidance from an early age.
Friendliness: The Akbash Dog is friendly towards other dogs, children, strangers, and other animals when properly socialized from an early age. However they can be wary of strangers if not properly socialized so it’s important to introduce them slowly into new situations in order to ensure they feel comfortable around new people or animals before allowing them off leash in public places such as parks or beaches where there may be unfamiliar people present.
Temperament: The temperament of the Akbash Dog can vary depending on how they were raised but generally speaking they are gentle giants who love spending time with their families but also enjoy having some alone time too! They tend to be independent thinkers which means they need consistent training throughout their lives in order for them to understand what behavior is expected from them at all times – this includes basic obedience commands such as sit/stay/come etc., but also more complex commands such as herding livestock if needed!
Health: Generally speaking the health of the Akbash Dog is good however like all breeds there are certain health issues that can affect this breed including hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma, skin allergies and ear infections due to its floppy ears trapping moisture inside them which can lead to bacterial growth over time if not treated promptly by a vet! It’s important that you keep up with regular vet checkups for your dog so any potential health issues can be caught early on before becoming more serious problems down the line!
Adaptability Level & Benefits As Pets: The adaptability level of the Akbash Dog is high meaning they do well living both indoors and outdoors depending on your lifestyle – however it’s important that you provide plenty of mental stimulation through activities such as walks/runs/playtime etc., otherwise boredom could set in leading your dog into destructive behaviors like chewing furniture etc., which nobody wants! As far as benefits go these dogs make great family pets due to their loyal nature – plus they make excellent guard dogs too thanks to their protective instincts when it comes defending those closest too them!
History
The Akbash Dog is a large, white, Turkish livestock guardian dog. The Akbash Dog is thought to be descended from the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, which is one of the oldest and most versatile breeds of livestock guardian dogs. The Akbash Dog was used in Turkey for centuries to protect sheep and goats from predators such as wolves and bears. The Akbash Dog is still used for this purpose in Turkey today.
The Akbash Dog almost became extinct in the early 1900s due to cross-breeding with other breeds of dogs. However, a few dedicated breeders in Turkey worked to preserve the purity of the breed. In the 1970s, the Akbash Dog was brought to the United States by Dr. David Turkheimer, who had been working with the breed in Turkey.
The Akbash Dog has become popular in recent years as a companion dog and guard dog. The breed is known for its loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature. The Akbash Dog is still relatively rare, but its popularity is growing.
The ancestry of the Akbash Dog is unknown, but it is thought to be descended from the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a ancient breed that originated in Turkey. The breed was used for centuries to protect sheep and goats from predators such as wolves and bears.
The Akbash Dog was recognized as a separate breed by the Turkish Kennel Club in 1955. The breed was first introduced to the United States in the 1970s by Dr. David Turkheimer.
