Akbash Dog

Classification and breed standards
UKC: Guard Dogs

The Akbash is a breed of dog that originated in Turkey, where it was developed from ancient times for the care of livestock, especially sheep.

Two of the names used to refer to this dog are Akbash and Akkush. Both names have a specific meaning in Turkish. Akbash means “white head” and Akkush “white bird”.

Breed
Occupying the Turkish territory are three distinct breeds indigenous to the country. Along with the Akbash breed are Kagal and Kars.

The Americans and Europeans originally designated the same name for the three breeds, (the Anatolian shepherd dog), because the three only varied in color and in small details that were not distinguishable. Then in 1996, an international symposium was sponsored at the Konya University that distinguished between the three Turkish dog breeds of cattle guards.

Now considered separate breeds, there is an international association of the Akbash, headquartered in the United States. The association promotes the popularity of the breed worldwide, especially in the U.S. where it is used to protect livestock from coyotes.

General Characteristics
There are two varieties of Akbash dogs, one with long hair and one with short hair. Both have the characteristic white color that makes this breed perfect for the care of livestock, since it allows differentiating the dog from the wolf with only the dim light of the moon.

The Akbash dog is quiet when not working. It also presents a majestic, transmitting calm. It is extremely loyal to its sheep, and is even said to create such strong emotional ties with them as to make their mating impossible.