10 things to know before getting an Akbash dog

The Akbash, a native of Turkey's western plains and mountainous regions, is a predominantly white dog with some discoloring, most notably on the top of their heads. It is also known as the Coban Kopegi, the Akbas, and the Aky. Its background is a mystery, but it is presumed to be quite ancient. It looked like a cross between a mastiff and a sighthound: tall and muscular. David and Judy Nelson, two Americans, got fascinated with the Akbash in the 1970s and brought a large number of the canines to the United States. In 1998, the Akbash was officially accepted into the United Kennel Club and belongs to the guard dog breed. Here are the things you need to consider before bringing these adorable, yet powerful pups home!

The Akbash breed is huge.

The Akbash is a massive, robust breed of dog. The height and weight range is from 28 to 34 inches and 80 to 140 pounds. Male Akbash tend to be larger than females.

These canines may be large, but they are surprisingly swift and nimble for their size. Their ability to run quickly can be gauged by the little arch on their back.

Akbash are strong against predators due to their calm, independent, and vigilant demeanor; outstanding eyesight, and lean, muscular frame. They are still commonly used as guard dogs in Turkey.

The Akbash dog sheds quite moderately.

Both the short and long coats of an Akbash are double-coated. Longer hair grows on the back sides of the legs and the tail, and the coats may be wavy on these parts. Moderate shedding occurs, due to its double coat. It requires more frequent care, especially during times of shedding or coat change.

Each year during its annual shedding season, it will explode in a spectacular fashion. When you brush your pet once a week, you can reduce the amount of fur they shed, prevent them from getting matted, and untangle any knots in their fur.

These dogs are very protective.

Always keep in mind that they are dogs that were bred to be wary and protective. While tending their flocks, Akbash dogs often had to make judgments independently, without human direction. It watches them from a high or elevated location so it can survey the region and protect them from potential threats.

Due to their protective nature, these dogs may exhibit alarm barking to an excessive degree. The Akbash dogs won't get along with other dogs if they weren't raised with them, seeing them as potential "predators" who could steal their sheep or family.

This dog breed is pretty easy to keep.

Akbash dogs are easy maintenance, meaning they don't require a lot of extra food to maintain their healthy weight. They need to be groomed at least once a week, and possibly more often during shedding, due to their thick coat.

Although they certainly need daily exercise, these dogs were not bred to run for long periods and would instead sit peacefully on a hillside observing their flock. Akbash puppies require greater physical activity than adult dogs.

Keep their skin and coat in good condition by brushing them once a week. You should give the Akbash a bath on the extremely infrequent instances when it becomes soiled.

As for the rest, it's just standard dog care. Nails should be trimmed as needed, often once every week.

For optimal oral health and breath, use a pet toothpaste recommended by your veterinarian. You may need to brush your pet regularly during certain periods if you want to keep up with the shedding fur.

Inspect your dog's ears once a week for irregularities including dirt, wax accumulation, and infection.

Akbash dogs are generally healthy.

Though Akbash dogs tend to be quite healthy, they still need regular checkups and preventative measures. As with humans, any dog can have a genetic health concern.

As a purebred, the Akbash is susceptible to several conditions more typical of working dogs. Most frequent is hip dysplasia, which limits motion at the hip's ball and socket joint and can lead to arthritis in old age.

Epilepsy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and hypothyroidism are all conditions that might affect Akbash's health. Gastric torsion or bloating and umbilical hernias are two other possible health issues for this large breed. Many, but not all, of these ailments are detectable by routine screening.

When you bring a new puppy into your house, it's important to keep in mind that you hold the power to prevent one of the most prevalent health problems it'll face: obesity. One of the simplest ways to increase Akbash's lifespan is to maintain a healthy weight.

They were bred as guard dogs.

In other words, it makes for an excellent protector. This canine is capable of fighting off coyotes, wolves, and even bears, but it works best when paired with another canine to defend livestock. It is territorial and protective, making it a useful watchdog for homes, farms, and young children.

In order to prevent their necks from being broken by predators, the dogs were often depicted in media as wearing spiky collars. They have excellent hearing and eyesight, making them highly perceptive of their environment. In the United States and worldwide, many of these dogs have dual careers as livestock guardians and as service and assistance animals.

They mature slowly.

It is typical for the Akbash breed to mature slowly. Let him mature at his own pace. It's a bit goofy, but it lacks the prey drive of smaller breeds and doesn't reach full maturity until much later. At the age of three, that is when he peaks his physical and cognitive potential.

The Akbash dogs need human companions to thrive.

Leaving an Akbash chained up in the yard with no human interaction is cruel and can provoke destructive behavior. Although Akbash's outdoor lifestyle is acceptable, it should be spending time at home with its loved ones.

The breed is known to develop a strong attachment to its human family, and as a result, they can be devoted friends. Socialization of the Akbash is essential to prevent it from perceiving all strangers as potentially harmful, and this process must begin at an early age and continue on an ongoing basis.

They are good with kids if raised and socialized with them.

They can be excellent with kids if raised with them from a young age, but an adult Akbash isn't preprogrammed to get along with kids. Puppies of the Akbash breed are rowdy and prone to biting during playtime.

Note that these puppies are huge and robust. They are so strong that they may easily knock over toddlers. Before an Akbash is to be with kids alone, they need to be socialized effectively with the youngsters. They may require between two and three years of rigorous, diligent supervision and training, particularly during the first year.

This breed needs to be socialized as early as possible.

To avoid an Akbash from being unduly suspicious or scared of anything new or strange, early and consistent socialization is crucial. You should start teaching your puppy as soon as you get him home. The eight-week-old puppy can already learn everything you can tell it.

When introduced to new animals while still young, Akbash tend to get along well with them. The Akbash can also demonstrate this quality at home, where it is known to get along well with other dogs and even cats.

The Akbash is quite a territorial breed.

While the average adult Akbash has a low level of activity, pups are quite active and require a large, secure, and traffic-free area in which to play. Its ideal environment would be a house with a sizable yard and a fence at least five or six feet high to keep it in.

You need to learn that this breed is very protective of its territory. Do not expect an electronic fence buried underground to confine it in one place. This hardy dog is unfazed by the shock, and will not be stopped from exiting the yard if he so chooses.

Akbash puppies are chewers.

Puppies of the Akbash breed, like those of any other breed, are notoriously destructive chewers. You shouldn't let these pups go free until they've proven themselves reliable. Also, make sure your Akbash puppy doesn't have too much downtime, as he or she will get into mischief if left unoccupied.

They need to be schooled out of this tendency so that it doesn't carry over into adulthood. This breed matures slowly, with the full physical and cognitive capability not appearing until around the age of three.

They are not hostile.

Generally, it doesn't attack people. It has been seen caring for newborn calves, showing that it has strong maternal instincts. The Akbash is a calm and confident dog, neither timid nor overbearing.

The Akbash is not known to be a particularly aggressive breed of dog due to its generally friendly demeanor. It is wary of strangers by nature, yet its high level of self-awareness and innate kindness make it an effective deterrent against predators without resorting to violence.

They need a well-balanced diet.

The food it eats must give it the nutrients it needs to keep its eyesight, brain, and bones strong, as well as give it the energy it needs to run and jump when it needs to.

As with most dogs, the Akbash benefits from a diet rich in vegetables or vegetable-based dog food to meet its fiber requirements. But don't overdo it or you can end up with issues like stomach torsion or becoming overweight.

If you feed your dog more than twice a day, you should take the food away after 10 to 15 minutes. Never take your dog out for a walk within an hour of feeding time. Maintain a constant supply of clean water for your Akbash.

Akbash has a low energy level.

While the Akbash may have low vitality, it reserves its strength for fighting off predators. Since it does not like playing inside and would rather have some alone time, it requires the daily exercise of 20–40 minutes and will enjoy having a yard to wander around in.

All three of these activities—walking, jogging, and hiking—are fantastic methods to release pent-up energy. Although not a particularly playful species, an Akbash can enjoy the mental challenge presented by puzzle toys.

These dogs are not suitable for novice dog owners.

The Akbash is a popular choice for a guard dog because of its many useful qualities. It's a big, intimidating dog that looks like a Mastiff. For this reason, it can physically defend itself from predators as large as wolves and bears.

The breed's job as a livestock protector has made it curious and watchful. It is wary of anyone it doesn't know, whether human or animal. The Akbash is a vigilant watchdog that may react defensively to outsiders by growling or barking.

While these are all desirable qualities in a guard dog, they don't exactly make for the finest companion animal. Those of Akbash culture is known to be wary of strangers and slow to trust them. Because of this, it is not a good choice for inexperienced pet owners.

Although Akbash's protective personality is appealing, he is not the greatest dog for someone who is just getting into dog ownership. It requires a trainer who will always use kindness, firmness, and consistency in their instruction.

You should think twice before bringing an Akbash into your home if you are a first-time dog owner, have young children, or have guests around frequently. The Akbash's role as a guardian causes them to be wary of new people. To ensure your dog behaves appropriately with strangers and in unfamiliar settings, you'll need to be a firm but fair trainer and set clear boundaries from an early age. If well-trained and socialized properly, this breed has the potential to be a devoted companion animal. It's a sturdy species that doesn't care for or require a lot of exercises, but does love spending time outside. One of the most common health issues with this breed is obesity, so be careful to maintain a healthy diet and give your dog regular exercise. Is this the right dog for you? We hope so!