To borrow a phrase from the site, Sarah’s Dogs, “If the Great Pyrenees is for the French, the Maremma for the Italians and the Kuvasz for the Hungarians, the Akbash Dog is for the Turkish.”
Like the other breeds mentioned above, the Akbash was bred for centuries to protect sheep from predators. Like the other countries that produced these dogs, Turkey has its own native dogs that include a hunting breed and a guardian breed. The av kopegi is a hunting type, and the coban kopegi (of which the Akbash is one), a guardian type.
While all these mentioned breeds are white, large, and powerful, the Akbash is somewhat unique from other LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs) in that they are docile to the point of being submissive to livestock under their charge, but heaven help the predator on two or four legs. This is a breed accustomed to working with people as partners, not as subordinates, and not at all with four legged creatures that aren’t stock.
The breed has a huge white head (in fact, “Akbash” is the Turkish word that means white head) that houses strong jaws and well developed teeth. Akbash Dogs are special in other ways, as well: They have bursts of amazing speed; They’ve also developed the sense of knowing when they are overpowered and outmatched, and this means they’re less likely to become a meal for a wolf pack than some of the other LGDs. Put another way: They live to protect their flock another day.
The Akbash Dog was introduced by the US Department of Agriculture to the country’s Predator Control Program in 1980. The 40 Akbash Dogs imported to the United States became the foundation stock of the dogs now found in Canada and in United States. In 1998, the Akbash was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club, and as of 2015, they were accepted by the FCI. Akbash Dogs may be shown in American Rare Breed Association shows, as well as in International All Breed Canine Association shows.
Image: An Akbash dog guarding a flock of sheep in California by Jerry Kirkhart is shared from WikiMedia under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license
Thank you for showcasing the Akbash Dog. I’ve had seven (owned and fostered) in the last ten years. They are serious Predator Control!
Peggy, it’s our absolute pleasure! How luck you are to have known seven of these magnificent dogs! Got pictures?
My friend breeds these amazing dogs Their idea of a fun gift for mom? A dead coyote at the gate .
Ahhhh, the gift that keeps on giving. Cynthia, chuckles aside, we’d love to see a picture of your friend’s dogs!!