Do Anatolian Shepherds shed?

Yes, Anatolian Shepherds shed. They’re seasonal shedders, which means they shed their thick undercoat twice a year, in the spring and fall. They’ll need to be brushed more often then to manage the extra hair.

How big do Anatolian Shepherds get?

The Anatolian Shepherd size is impressive. Their height starts at 27 inches for females and 29 inches for males at the shoulder. They weigh between 80 and 150 pounds, so they’re officially giant dogs.

Are Anatolian Shepherds good family dogs?

Anatolian Shepherds are great family dogs when properly socialized (and kids must also know how to play well with canines). These pups are dedicated to their family and are loyal, intelligent dogs.

Anatolian Shepherd vs. Kangal: What’s the difference?

They’re both Turkish dogs with an ancient lineage, and both are known for their patience, independence, and loyalty. They’re physically similar, and there’s actually some debate over whether they’re the same breed or distinct—if that tells you anything, it suggests that these pups are pretty alike either way.

Anatolian Shepherd

Updated August 21, 2025

The elegant and dignified Anatolian Shepherd probably won’t show you much affection if you’re just an acquaintance; it’s nothing personal. But with their family, these serious-seeming pups chill out and become their happiest, most charming selves. Bonus points if you love the calm of the great outdoors as much as they do.

Temperament

Graceful, Introverted, Loyal

Weight

80–150 pounds

Height

27–29 inches

Life Expectancy

11–13 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color

Biscuit and White, Brindle, Blue Fawn, Brindle, Fawn, Gray Fawn, Red Fawn, Liver, White

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If Anatolian Shepherds could text, they’d probably use proper punctuation. Smiley emojis? Absolutely not. Sending a meme just for fun? Undignified.

But that’s just their public persona. These graceful pups are very serious with strangers—who can blame them for being wary of the world, really? But when it comes to time with family, they’ll unleash their playful side and be a totally different dog; if you take them on a fun outdoor adventure, you might even get some heart emojis sent your way.

Anatolian Shepherd Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Training Needs

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Good for Apartments and Small Homes

Sensitive to Cold Weather

Sensitive to Warm Weather

Good for First-Time Pet Parents

Anatolian Shepherd Appearance

Anatolian Shepherds move gracefully in the world, and they have a calm, reassuring gaze. Most have a beige coat, and they have darker masking on their face. A giant breed, they can weigh as much as 150 pounds.

Ears
Their droopy ears sit on the sides of their head and are around 6 inches long.
Eyes
Their almond-shaped eyes are hues from amber to brown.
Nose
They have a solid brown or black nose on a square muzzle.
Coat Length
Anatolian Shepherds have a dense undercoat as well as an overcoat that’s either short (about 1 inch) or long and rough (approximately 4 inches). They may have slightly longer fur around their neck, as well as feathering on their ear ends, legs, and tails.
Coat Color
Anatolian Shepherd colors include white, fawn (a pale yellow-tan), and a biscuit-and-white combo. You’ll also see Anatolian Shepherds whose coats are brindle (subtle tiger stripes), liver (brown), or blue, red, or gray shades of fawn. They usually have a darker mask pattern on their face.
Tail
Their long, high-set tail is carried low with a curl at the end or in a circle over their back.

Anatolian Shepherd Temperament

Giant yet graceful, the Anatolian Shepherd is a smart pup who loves to keep busy.

The Anatolian Shepherd personality is calm and reserved; this pup finds peace in the outdoors, and they’ll appreciate a pet parent who does too. They’re intelligent canines who are up for a hike or adventure, and they’ll wow you with their impressive speed (they can run up to 30 mph, so make sure you’re somewhere fenced—if these dogs get away from you, you won’t be able to keep up).

Anatolian Shepherds, just like some people, may come off a bit aloof (and they generally are with strangers), but they’re a whole other dog to their family: loving, loyal, and kind. If well-socialized, they’ll learn it’s OK (and even healthy!) to have friends, and they may learn to love the company of others too.

But if they prefer to be their introverted selves, don’t push them to go outside their social comfort zone. Either way, they’ll probably save the truly lavish displays of affection (hello, sloppy kisses) for the family.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Anatolian Shepherd

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How to Care for a Anatolian Shepherd

An Anatolian Shepherd needs solid training, regular grooming, and exercises that stimulate both their body and mind. Even though they tend to be reserved, they’ll love bonding time with their favorite person.

Bathing: Give your dog a bath least once a month. Use a good-quality dog shampoo.
Brushing: Brush your pup with a pin brush at least once a week to keep them tangle-free. When they’re shedding heavily in the spring and fall, you’ll need to brush them every could of days with the pin brush as well as a steel comb. A shedding rake can also help prevent matting.
Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy, so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year.
Nail care: Trim your Anatolian Shepherd’s nails once a month or whenever you hear them clacking on hard surfaces. They’re unlikely to appreciate nail clippers but will do better with a nail grinder.

Start obedience training and socializing your pup as soon as possible (if you bring them home as a puppy, that’s great, but if you adopt them when they’re older, do it then). Talk to your vet about their vaccination status first.

An Anatolian Shepherd puppy needs a confident pup parent to show them the way. If you’d like help, a dog trainer can teach you to communicate with your dog and school them in the basics—such as sit, stay, and how to walk on a leash and come when called. They’ll also advise you on proper socialization to ensure your dog grows into a well-adjusted pup who remains calm, cool, and collected.

Always use positive reinforcement—praise, special treats, and toys—and make sure your trainer does too.

Anatolian Shepherds are very smart dogs, so if it takes them a while to get the hang of things, it’s not for lack of intelligence, but more so because they can be a bit aloof and independent-minded. They learn best from confident pet parents who are consistent and patient with their lessons. Once you understand what works for them, training becomes much easier.

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Anatolian Shepherd, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).

Make sure to choose a kibble that’s especially formulated for large- or giant-breed dogs. This is especially important when they’re puppies to ensure that they don’t grow too quickly. Their food will need just the right balance of calcium and phosphorus.

These pups may also benefit from a high-protein diet, but your vet can advise on the right combo for your individual dog.

Treat calories count, too, and they’re important for motivating your dog during training. But know when to say when. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.

The Anatolian Shepherd finds delight in the outdoors, and as their pet parent, you’ll also need to be a calm, Walden-esque nature lover.

One difference is that they’ll be able to outrun you, but don’t let that stop you from taking these gentle giants out into the woods. They’ll slow down to thank you, and they’ll appreciate the new sights and smells they encounter on hikes.

At home, they need at least two 30-minute walks around the neighborhood each day (pick a sturdy leash), and they’ll also embrace spending significant time in a fenced yard. Remember that your deserving pup is a giant, after all, so the fence needs to be less white picket and more tall and strong.

Regular games of fetch will keep them entertained, and they need mental stimulation too. Try interactive toys and games as well as scent work to get their imaginations flowing.

If your Anatolian Shepherd could choose to live anywhere, it’d probably be a big, dreamy farmhouse in the countryside where they could run for miles. This pup really needs space to stretch their legs, after all.

But even if you’re in the suburbs, your pup will be fine if they have a fenced yard. Even though they love the outdoors, they shouldn’t be left outside alone for long periods of time—their affectionate side will come out indoors (once no one else is looking, of course) and they’ll appreciate being able to snuggle up on the sofa too.

If you’re the kind of pet parent who’s constantly having guests over for dinner parties, your Anatolian Shepherd might not love all the extra company; they’re an introvert, after all. However, socialization can go a long way to helping them tolerate your guests and being a polite member of the party. Like almost every single host ever, the Anatolian Shepherd is also delightfully relieved once the last guest leaves.

Anatolian Shepherd Health

The Anatolian Shepherd lifespan is 11–13 years—an impressive stretch for such a giant breed. Here are some health issues to be aware of.

Anesthesia sensitivity: Anatolian Shepherds absorb drugs more slowly, which means that they’re slower to recover from general anesthesia or heavy sedation. Discuss any concerns with your vet.
Bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV): Anatolian Shepherds, like all deep-chested breeds, are prone to a life-threatening condition called bloat. It occurs when the stomach gets distended with air and/or food. A serious complication of bloat is when the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood supply to the organs. This is called GDV, and symptoms include abdominal distension, restlessness, and dry heaving. If you notice these signs, go to the vet immediately. To avoid bloat, use a slow feeder and feed your dog smaller meals throughout the day. Keep their food bowls on the ground (don’t elevate them) and don’t exercise one hour before or after meals.
Entropion: In this eye condition, the eyelid grows inward and causes the eyelashes to rub against the eye’s surface. Eye infections and corneal ulcers can occur as a result of this condition, which is often treated with surgery.
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket of the hip and thigh bones doesn’t properly fit. It’s an inherited condition that can be made worse if a pup is overweight. It eventually leads to arthritis and pain. More severe cases may require surgery, but the condition is often treated with medications, joint supplements, special diets, weight management, and/or physical therapy.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs that results in decreased production of thyroid hormones. It can be diagnosed with a blood test, so thyroid levels should be a normal part of screening bloodwork as your dog ages. Hypothyroidism commonly causes skin and ear infections as well as weight gain and sluggishness. It can be managed with oral meds.

Anatolian Shepherd History

The Anatolian Shepherd comes from (surprise) the Anatolian region of Turkey. Ancient artifacts show the breed’s origins may date back as early as 2000 BCE.

Modern Anatolian Shepherds descended from the Coban Kopegi (“shepherd’s dog”) that took care of sheep and goats. Unlike the herding dogs who moved the flock from location to location, the Coban Kopegi was a guardian dog, patiently watching over their charges.

Those ancient dogs were likely bred from the Roman Molossus and the Tibetan Mastiff. They were known for their independence and loyalty, traits the Anatolians and other Turkish shepherds of today still possess—like the Turkish Kangal, also known as the Kangal Shepherd Dog.

Their reputation as a guardian dog led to their inclusion in the “Sheepdog Project,” in which the federal government hoped to find pups best intended to be guardian dogs to protect the U.S. sheep population.

They did a phenomenal job of keeping wolves and other dangers away—just by their sly, intense stare.

The American Kennel Club officially recognized Anatolian Shepherds as an established breed in 1996.

Most of these pups are now far from their working dog days and living a lush life in their adopted homes (as they should be). Remarkably, though, there are some who still work as guardian dogs—and they’re helping to restore cheetah populations in Africa.

Anatolian Shepherds warn cheetahs off property in Namibia. As a result, communities no longer see the cheetahs as a threat, and fewer are killed or harmed—all because of one very smart dog breed.

Anatolian Shepherd puppies tend to be anywhere from $800 to $1,500. If you choose this route, pick a responsible breeder.

Ideally, though, you can adopt an Anatolian Shepherd. Check out a rescue organization like the National Anatolian Shepherd Rescue Network, keep an eye out at your local shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Barri Morrison, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Anatolian Shepherd

Anatolian Shepherd