Large, powerful, and unexpectedly fast, the Anatolian Shepherd is a hard-working breed used as a Livestock Guardian Dog.  A well muscled dog, its topline is strong and appears level when gaiting, but there is a gentle curve downward behind the withers and a slight, but gradual arch over the loin that slopes slightly downward at the croup. These days, we didn’t think the slang term for this topline was used much anymore, and had we not first seen it in an old book about dogs, we might have supposed it referred to a cattle ranch.

The term is “Lazy S.”

We got curious to see if “Lazy S” appeared anywhere on the internet in reference to this breed, and as it turns out, we found several instances. There was the website of a breeder who used the term when describing this dog’s correct topline;  we also found it used in a written critique of the Regular Classes at the 2004 National Specialty. Judge, Richard “Rick” Beauchamp said of his Open Dog: “…he maintained the correct silhouette both standing and in motion. Slightly longer than tall, with what I call the “lazy-s” topline (a very gentle curve downward behind the withers then arching slightly up over the loin area). The correct and matching front and rear angles allowed him to move easily along.” 

We found it, as well, in an article written by Erick Conrad entitled, “Anatolian Structure: “Moderate in All Areas” in which he described the Anatolian spine looking like “a “lazy-s” as it curves across the Anatolian’s topline.”

Our suspicion is that the more we dig, the more apt we are to find that the term is used more often than we initially thought even though it doesn’t appear in the breed standards of the AKC, United Kennel Club, FCI, Canadian KC or the Kennel Club in the UK.

Image: Young Anatolian Shepherd Dog by ©Jpra03/Dreamstime stock photo