Criteria for Akbash's appearance, temperament and health characteristics of the dog, grooming for hair, ears, teeth, diet, walking, physical activity. Puppy price. The Akbash Dog, or Akbash Dog, is considered a Turkish breed and is similar to other large white herding species found on the Mediterranean islands. This variety was bred at least 3000 years ago. Akbash combines a unique combination of qualities of mastiffs and greyhounds. The translation of their name from Turkish has a literal meaning - "white head".
Akbash's appearance criteria
Akbash dog is a large muscular animal. On average, males weigh 54, 43 kg, and females 40 kg. And the average height at the withers of males is 76, 2–86, 36 cm and of females 72–82 cm. These dogs are more compact than other Turkish shepherd breeds. This is a genetic trait that must be passed on to ancestors. Having long enough legs, animals are very mobile for their size.
- Head with a large, broad skull, slightly domed. Longer than wider, with a moderately pointed tip. Looking from above, it gradually becomes narrower towards the nose, forming the shape of a blunt wedge. The cheeks are flat and smooth.
- Muzzle gradually narrows. Akbash has a relatively small lower jaw. The lips are dense, black or dark brown. Large white teeth form a scissor bite.
- Nose - developed, dark brown or black.
- Eyes - Almond-shaped, of medium size, well positioned on the skull, giving the dog an intelligent, helpful and courteous appearance. Eye color ranges from lighter to darker brown.
- Ears - V-shaped, slightly rounded at the tips, set high.
- Neck - of medium length, muscular, smoothly curved, without dewlap.
- Frame Akbash is compact. The chest is deep, but not too broad. The ribs are well bent, reaching low towards the elbows, giving depth to the body. There is a slight slope from the withers towards a straight, strong back and an arched loin that connects to a long, muscular sloping croup.
- Tail - thicker at the base, gradually tapering towards the tip, set low, forming a hook when the dog relaxes and curls high over the back when active.
- Limbs - very muscular. Powerful hind legs balance the front legs. The thighs are deep, muscular and long, leading to well bent knees and well formed hocks. The dog's well-muscled shoulders are nearly equal in length with long, straight, well-fitting forearms that are in proportion to the rest of the dog. Seen from the front, the legs should be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other, without turning or exiting. In Akbash dogs, two types of paws appear: feline and hare-like in greyhounds. Moreover, both buildings are acceptable. They prefer cat paws - large and strong, with well-curved toes. Light or dark pads should be thick, firm and elastic.
- Coat Akbash is of two types - long and medium. Both coatings are acceptable, as the type of coat depends on the area in which the dog is working and the environment in which it is exposed. Long-coated individuals have a double layer of long, coarse, outer protective hair and a thick, dense undercoat of softer, finer hair. The structure of the undercoat can vary depending on the climate and the dog's response to the weather. There are slightly wavy "coats" that should never be curled or matted. The long-haired breed appears to be heavier and fuller than the medium-coated variety. In such Akbashs, it is slightly longer and rougher on the chest and shoulders and part of the head. Perforation of the forelimbs, thighs and tail, distinct in dogs with a medium coat. This cover lies flat on the body and gives the dog a smoother and more compact appearance. Feathers on the thighs, limbs and tail should be kept to a minimum. In any type of coat, the hair on the face, paws and ears is always shorter than on the body.
- Coloration Akbash Dog is available in white. Slight shading of light beige or gray in the undercoat or around the ears is not considered a defect if the overall appearance of the dog is white. The pigmentation of the skin is gray or blue-blue, solid or mottled, which is a desirable trait, but requires that the eyelids, nose, and lips are sufficiently black or dark brown.
Akbash dog temperament
Akbash is usually called a shepherd dog, but this is inappropriate, since, unlike shepherd dogs, these dogs live among the herd as its guardians. This working breed has been used for centuries to guard its owner's herds and estates from both predators and humans. Sharp eyesight and hearing, combined with virility and an exceptionally strong protective instinct, make Akbash an excellent guardian and one of the livestock protectors.
The dog has low energy, as it lives with the herd and spends a lot of time on it. The intelligent guard Akbash is used to doing well without human intervention. In the performance of its duties, this allows the dog to think "on the fly" and quickly and at its own discretion to respond to any dangers associated with its flock. At home, this makes the dog strong-willed and stubborn.
There is a striking characteristic for Akbash among thoroughbred shepherds - a strong maternal instinct and a connection with the herd as a whole. This process of communication with other animals begins at a very young age. When dogs, for example, are attached to goats, sheep, cattle, horses, other animals or people, they will not hesitate to give their lives for them, protecting them in times of danger. The bond with animals as their guardian is very valuable. Some species of sheep follow the dog when threatened and even allow the dog to sniff and lick their newborn lambs. The symbiotic nature of this relationship has been practiced for centuries in the Old World, while it is just beginning to be understood in the New World.
Akbash are smart and also develop knowledge superior to predators. This helps reduce their level of exhaustion and makes them less likely to be a bear or wolf's meal. Akbash doesn't need to be challenged if he feels his flock is under threat. The loyalty of the Akbash dog also makes it an excellent human companion who is gentle and affectionate with his family, and if the dog is trained properly, it can be attached to almost any animal. They are natural guardians, so Akbashi must be aggressive towards strangers or suspicious animals.
Based on this, socialization is necessary if you intend to have such a dog solely as a companion. The protective instinct of the breed makes it natural and territorial. They will react aggressively to strange dogs that fall into their "possession", especially if they feel that there is a danger to their charges. Often these canines work together with other herding dogs.
Health features of the Akbash breed
The Akbash Dog is a healthy breed that generally has a low incidence of genetically transmitted diseases, especially when compared to other large canines. The most common health problems known to affect Akbasha are hip dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joints), which is common in many large breed dogs, and OCD (objective compulsive disorder). More recently, some members of the breed have shown symptoms associated with a condition called Luxating Patella. The knees of the hind legs can move and pop out. It is a recessive gene condition known to be associated with inbreeding.
Akbash, like many types of greyhounds, has a relatively low body temperature compared to its size. Therefore, a problem can arise when general anesthetics based on barbiturate fail to penetrate the adipose tissue properly, creating an exaggerated effect that can lead to death. It is recommended to use inhalation anesthesia such as isoflurane or an intramuscular injection combination of Xylazine & Ketamine HCL for medical procedures requiring anesthesia. It has been noted that the Akbash dog will metabolize Xylazine and Ketamine HCL more slowly than most other breeds, and the time it takes for the dog to be fully awake and stable on its feet is increased.
Requirements for keeping and caring for Akbash dog
- Wool Akbasha is formed in such a way that it requires little maintenance. He is classified as a herding breed and is designed to spend most of his time outdoors with the herd. The outer covering or protective hair usually does not tangle, but brushing the dog weekly can prevent any tangles and tangles. The long-coated Akbash has a thick double coat of fur, consisting of a dense, soft undercoat and a longer top coat. Some seasonal cleaning will be required if you plan on keeping them in your home. The undercoat will shed annually during shedding; in bitches this may occur twice a year and last three weeks or more. Dogs living in warmer climates tend to molt all year round. When combing the long-haired dog "Akbash" in the apartment, the wool will fly through the air, settling on furniture, carpet and floor, so do it outside. You can speed up shedding with regular brushing sessions. The regular coated Akbash Dog will also shed regularly, but not as much as its long-haired brother. With a coat similar to that of a Labrador Retriever, you should brush your dog at least once a week with a slicker. The rigid structure of the breed's coat allows the animal to be always clean. Therefore, such pets are rarely bathed.
- Teeth keep the dog clean, so you will prevent various diseases. These "shepherds", who are always at work, often fail to clean their dentition. Therefore, for prophylaxis, let's use pressed bones, tendons, and cartilage.
- Ears Akbash have no particular problems. But, nevertheless, once a week, inspect and clean them. To remove the accumulated sulfur and prevent inflammation, a therapeutic lotion will help, which is applied to the auricle and after some time all that has come out is wiped off.
- Eyes Check your pet after walking or grazing. If there are motes or plant particles there, then rub the mucous membrane of the eye with pharmaceutical sedatives.
- ClawsAs a rule, Akbash dogs grind down naturally, but if they strongly branch, they are shortened. You can cut off the excess length with claws, but it is safer to cut it off with a file.
- Feeding this breed must be correlated with its physical activity. If a dog works in a field with a herd, then it needs a larger energy supply, and, accordingly, the portion of food should be slightly larger and more caloric. A balanced composition of food is provided in ready-made professional feeds, which are selected according to the weight of the pet. And it will be more problematic to support all the needs of the body with natural food.
- Walking. Although they are not high-energy dogs, these athletic dogs must be kept behind an extremely safe fence as they are adept at making virtuoso escapes. Patrolling vast expanses of land with their flock is natural for them. Long terms of restriction of freedom run counter to this need.
The nature of Akbash is found during most of the day with the herds that they guard. As such, they are not considered to be dogs with high energy levels and enormous stamina. This does not mean that they will live well in a small house or apartment, because such a dog is happy when he does work.
Despite the fact that the dog is not aggressive towards the owners, it becomes an ardent guard of the herd from everyone else. This can lead to aggressive behavior towards neighbors or strangers who walk near the pasture. Trying to answer the question of how dangerous herding dogs can be to people in the vicinity of the herd, the University of Idaho, in 1986, surveyed 763 owners.
Much depends on where the dog spends his time, as well as on the differences in the breed. Some dogs are more protective and aggressive than others, and it is the owner's responsibility to protect people who may be at risk. Neighbors and guests should be warned. The guard dog is likely to include peripheral areas on its patrols. It is in the interests of the owner of the dog to teach the pet to stay in the area designated for him.
Raising the breed of dogs Akbash
Owners need to start teaching this breed as early as possible, since Akbash dogs are born with an inherent suspicion of strangers. For some of them, this behavior manifests itself with age. There is a lot to teach them, as modern herding dogs live in artificially created worlds of domesticated herds, fences, neighbors and life-threatening situations such as traps, weapons and poisons.
These dogs are known for their intelligence, courage, independence and loyalty, however, such qualities of the breed can cause problems for the Akbash pet at home.
The most common ones are the following:
- Dogs tend to be wary of people they don't know and can act aggressively to protect a house or herd.
- Redirected aggression - if they find themselves confined by a fence and see people or animals on the other side that they cannot reach.
- Akabash's protective functions are natural, so patrolling the perimeter and barking at unfamiliar things should also be expected.
- Usually these dogs are aggressive towards brethren they do not know, especially other large individuals.
- Dominance manifestation. Inexperienced owners should avoid this breed as Akbash will naturally take on the Alpha role in the absence of a human leader.
Dogs want people to reckon with them respecting, looking closely at the intricacies of animals and communicating with them accordingly.
Akbash dog puppy price
Potential owners interested in the breed as a pet should be aware that a strong will and perseverance will work well during training, as Akbash always focuses on a strong leader. Dogs are not recommended for passive people, and are better suited for a person who adheres to a primacy and solid training tactics.
Dominant individuals pose a particular threat to people they consider lower in the hierarchy when they are under pressure. This behavior is caused by breeders who have failed to maintain their leadership position over the dog. In most cases, this is common for many Akbash, as they will instinctively move to the top of the hierarchy if the leader is absent. It also suggests that leadership is an innate genetic component to this breed. It is for this reason that Akbash dogs are not a smart choice for beginners or people who lack discipline.
The price for a puppy is from $ 300 to $ 500. How Akbash looks like, see the video below:
