Akbash Dog — A Complete Guide
The Akbash Dog, get to know him
The Akbash, a Turkish native breed, is a larger breed that was originally bred to guard livestock. While this allows them to be self-sufficient, their cool, independent, and vigilant temperament, outstanding sight, and strong body make them a formidable predator deterrent and an excellent guard dog. Because of their devotion and sense of guardianship, they are also a common breed for organizations that educate service dogs for the disabled.
It’s all-white, slim, leggy, and muscular, and it has a sort of regal look that conveys dominance, determination, and bravery. It also transmits speed and agility needed to challenge and pursue predators. It has long legs, a deep belly, and a tucked flank. The breed’s Mastiff presence can be seen in his height, weight, large head, and strong appearance
Because of its lack of inherent aggression, it makes an excellent companion pet.
The History of the breed
The Akbash is an ancient dog breed that dates back to between 750 BC and 300 BC. It is so old that scholars say it aided in the creation of mastiffs and sighthounds. It was first seen in what is now known as Turkey. When the ancient people of this land started domesticating cattle, they even started breeding dogs to protect their animals from native predators including wolves. The Akbash is the oldest of the Turkish guardian dogs, along with the Anatolian Shepherd and the Kangal.
The Anatolian Shepherd is similar to the Akbash and the Kangal. Some say Akbashs and Kangals were used in the Anatolian Shepherd breed. When they are all lined up, the Akbashs can be identified due to their lighter and more slender appearance.
The Akbash arrived in the United States in the 1970s. Owners can now exhibit their dogs in American Rare Breed Association (ABRA) and International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA) shows even if they are not yet accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Physical characteristics
The Akbash is a tall, alert dog with a large white head and a strong jaw. It has a white, weather-resistant double coat that helps it survive in cold weather. The hair is coarse but does not matt, and it lacks the unpleasant doggy odor that water dogs have.
It is a beautiful large dog with a friendly muzzle like a retriever but a much larger frame and higher stature like a Mastiff.
The Akbash dog breed combines characteristics from both the Sighthound and the Mastiff breeds, which are thought to have added to its bloodline It tends to inherit the Sighthound’s long legs, agility, and pace, as well as the stamina, weight, and height from a Mastiff.
The double coat is white, medium, or long. It may have grey or biscuit colorings on the head around the ears.
Weight and Size of the Akbash Dog
Though more slender and lighter than the Kangal Dog, and a few other east European Shepherd breeds, the Akbash is still a large dog.
- Males height is 28–32 inches (71–81cm)
- Females height is 27–30 inches (69–76cm)
- Males weight is 90–140 lbs (41–64kg)
- Females weight is 75–105 lbs (34–48kg)
Akbash puppies weigh 13 pounds on average at 7 weeks of age and reach full maturity between the ages of 24 and 36 months.
Grooming the big Akbash Dog
The Akbash has a double coat that can be medium, or long. It necessitates weekly brushing. During seasonal shedding times when the coat switches it needs more regular brushing. During the shedding season, you should invest in a powerful vacuum cleaner, as it can lose quite a lot of hair. On the plus side, the fur does not mat and has no odor, and since it does not have a smelly coat, this dog only needs to be bathed when necessary. Over-bathing will remove its natural coat oil, and should always be avoided.
Apart from the weekly brushing, it does not require any special grooming, keeping its upkeep relatively low.
Temperament and Character
The Akbash Dog is a cool, peaceful, independent, and steady home companion and guard dog. With his human family, cats, and other pets, he can be devoted, gentle, and affectionate. He is instinctively wary of them. They aren’t particularly fond of other same-gender dogs and may choose to be the only pet in the household. They are obedient, but they are also strong and determined, so it is not intended for inexperienced dog owners. It’s not a first dog breed, if not only for its size and strength.
To maintain a well-behaved family dog and guardian, the Akbash Dog should be appropriately and regularly socialized and conditioned from an early age. He should also be exercised, not excessively but enough to not get him bored. A bored Akbash Dog can become aggressive and destructive.
They are intelligent and relatively easy to train as long as they have a goal and are willing to please their owner,
Health issues
The Akbash might inherit some genetic health issues that are close to those of its Mastiff ancestor. These are:
- Hip dysplasia. A condition in which the ball and socket of the hip joint do not match together properly. Excessive movement can cause more limb injury, intense discomfort, and bone disease such as arthritis. Dogs with Hip Dysplasia should not be used for breeding.
- Hypothyroidism. It’s a thyroid hormone condition characterized by under-activity of the thyroid gland. It is fairly normal in dogs and allows their body processes to slow down. Lethargy, weight gain, and a difference in the skin and hair are also symptoms.
- Gastric torsion (bloat). It’s a condition that occurs in big dog breeds who feed too much or too fast, resulting in a buildup of gas that affects other organs in the body. This is a severe illness that necessitates medical treatment.
- Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. It’s a heart condition in which the cardiac muscle in the heart does not provide adequate pressure to pump blood into the vascular system. This will necessitate medical intervention.
Is the Akbash Dog a good companion for my family?
Provided early socialization, the Akbash is as submissive to and defensive of children as it is of livestock. In reality, it regards children as part of its flock. It is affectionate and loyal to its kin, but it is shy and wary of outsiders. This breed is mildly playful, it doesn’t have much of a hunting instinct and it doesn’t care for games such as fetch the stick or similar. It is also not overly energetic.
But it bonds well with all family members, and it’s friendly, gentle, and protective.
It is a big dog though, and it can be stubborn. That makes it more of a dog for the countryside than a dog for the city… More of a dog for the open country than for an apartment.
The low energy level can make it gain weight if not exercised enough. It should have space to move around and tasks assigned to it to be motivated. And it can be hostile towards other dogs of the same sex.
It can be a perfect family dog, but it needs space and a firm hand.
