story , Care Tips , and Helpful Information for Pet Owners
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The akbash is a largeguardian dog breedfrom Turkey with a white-hot pelage that comes in medium and long lengths . The breed intimately resembles the more common Great Pyrenees . It features a wedge - shaped head with dark middle and triangular driblet pinna . And its long tail often curls up and over the dog ’s back . Plus , the strain ’s long wooden leg allow it to move swiftly , and it has loose skin around its neck that avail to protect it from fire . That serves the akbash well in its role represent livestock from wolves and other predators .
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Breed Overview
grouping : Guardian Dog ( United Kennel Club )
Height:28 to 32 inch ( female ) , 30 to 34 inches ( male )
Weight:90 pounds ( female ) , 120 pounds ( male )
pelage : sensitive to long double pelage
Coat Color : ashen , light biscuit or grey-haired shading acceptable
Life Span:10 to 12 years
Temperament : Alert , independent , courageous
Hypoallergenic : No
Origin : Turkey
Characteristics of the Akbash
The akbash generally has an independent and insomniac temperament . Even though it ’s quite well-informed , it can be hard to discipline due to its ego - governing personality . The stock also has strong protective inherent aptitude and will skin at — and potentially become fast-growing with — perceive threat .
History of the Akbash
The akbash ’s blood line is indecipherable , as its ancestors date back thousands of years in Turkey . It ’s possible that it has some mastiff and sighthound breeds in its mix .
The breed long has been used as a livestock guardian in part because its snowy coat reserve it to blend in with tidy sum of sheep and other brute , give it the element of surprisal if a predator were to draw nigh . However , it is not a crowd dog . The breed tends to be territorial and wary of alien , and it will sedately rest among its muckle scan for risk .
The akbash set out to bring in a foothold in the United States in the 1970s , though it ’s still a very rarefied breed . The American Kennel Club does not yet agnise it . But the United Kennel Club does classify it as part of its Guardian Dog Group .
Akbash Care
The akbash does n’t require a great deal of use , and its grooming is fair straightforward , though it can shed a heap . But you will have to put some time and effort into grooming and socialization to control that you have a well - mannered dog .
Exercise
Because the akbash is a guardian dog and not a herding dog , it does n’t have extreme exercise requirements . These dogs do n’t have to lam around gathering and moving stock , but rather they watch over their ruck from a comfortable advantage point . Aim for at least an 60 minutes per day of recitation to keep your akbash healthy . walk , jogging , and hike all are ideal ways to get some energy out . Puzzle toyscan take exception your akbash ’s mind as well , though this is n’t an to a fault playful breed .
Grooming
Brush your akbash at least weekly to move out loose pelt and prevent tangles and mats . Pay special attention to area of the coating with feathering , which can tangle easy . bear full stop of in high spirits desquamation twice a class in the saltation and fall . You might have to brush day by day to keep up with the lax fur during those time .
bath your akbash about once a calendar month , depending on how unsportsmanlike it gets . Check your dog ’s ear weekly for soil , wax buildup , and other abnormality . In addition , check its nails monthly to see whether they want a trim . shoot for to sweep its tooth day by day .
Training
Begin breeding and socializing your akbash when it ’s a puppy to instill good behaviors and foreclose bad habits from forming . The breed ’s sovereign and refractory nature can make education hard , even though it is quite impudent and can understand mastery . Always usepositive - reinforcement training method acting , such as treats and praise . And be consistent in the behaviour you carry when you give a command .
Give your akbash lots of prescribed experiences around new multitude and other click , as well as in various locations from an early years . This can help to curb its protective and territorial nature . However , that inherent aptitude is difficult to fully squelch , so you ’ll likely have to practice carefulness when your akbash is meeting strangers and even other pawl .
Common Health Problems
The akbash is overall a levelheaded dog , though it is prostrate to some ancestral health upshot , admit :
Diet and Nutrition
Always verify your akbash has accession to fresh water . You might want to get a expectant urine arena for this big breed . Feed it a quality , nutritionally balanced canine dieting . A food give voice especially for large breeds might be good . But you should always discuss both the diet eccentric and the amount with your vet .
It ’s typical to feed two measured meal per day . But the akbash is a breed that ’s prone to bloat and potentially life - threatening stomach twisting , which can arise from eating too speedily . feed smaller , more frequent meals can help to prevent this , along with keeping your bounder calm around mealtimes .
Where to Adopt or Buy an Akbash
The akbash is a rare frankfurter breed . It ’s not easily rule at animal shelters and rescue , though it ’s still deserving checking . You also might have worry locate a breeder , depending on where you live . A puppy from a reputable stock breeder can cost around $ 600 to $ 2,000 on average .
For further entropy to avail you find an akbash , check out :
Akbash Overview
adept watchdog
Does n’t demand lots of exercise
Typically fast and devoted to family
Can be stubborn about training
Territorial and often wary of stranger
die through periods of in high spirits shedding
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
Before bringing home an akbash , do thorough inquiry to ensure that the strain is correct for your life style . Talk to akbash possessor , delivery radical , responsible breeders , and veterinary professional . hear to spend some time around the stock , too , if you may .
If you ’re concerned in interchangeable breeds , check out :
There ’s a whole world of potentialdog breedsout there — with a little enquiry , you’re able to find the right one to institute base !
The akbash and Great Pyrenees appear quite similar at first glance , thanks to their shaggy white coat and magnanimous stature . They both are watchful protector as well . But the akbash is broadly less societal and alive than the Great Pyrenees , and it has a more or less leaner soma .
Even when well trained and socialised , the akbash has a strong protective instinct . It will aspire to intimidate perceive threats by posturing and barking , and this might precede to aggression if the scourge persists .
The akbash is a rarified dog-iron breed , specially in North America . It is n’t recognise by the American Kennel Club , though the United Kennel Club does name it as a strain .
engender Description . Akbash Dogs International .
Akbash Puppies and frankfurter . dramatise a Pet .
