The Breed
Are Anatolian Shepherds easy to train?
No. They are intelligent, but they were bred to make their own decisions out with the flock, not to wait for orders.
The national breed club says these dogs were bred to use independent judgment, and it calls obedience training ‘an absolute necessity.’ It also stresses socialization starting in puppyhood and says the dog needs a strong, consistent, positive leader.
The AKC standard notes that eager, animated responsiveness is not typical of the breed. An Anatolian will learn what you teach it and then decide whether the situation calls for it.
That independence is the same trait that makes them good at the job. Our dogs sort a threat from a non-threat on their own, without being told.
The club’s practical rules reflect that: substantial fencing, and never off leash away from its own property. The one possible exception the club gives is a completely fenced space where you and your dog can play in private.
The information on this page is general information about the breed, drawn from the sources listed and from our own experience. Individual dogs vary. Nothing here is a guarantee about the health, size, temperament or working ability of any particular puppy. The terms of any sale are those in our written contract.