Living With an Anatolian
Should I get one Anatolian Shepherd or two?
It depends on the job. For guarding livestock, university sources lean toward more than one dog. Several of them caution about raising two puppies at the same time.
Texas A&M AgriLife says two dogs are generally preferable, except for small flocks near the house, so the flock is still covered if one dog is lost. Where wolves, bears or mountain lions are present, it says producers may need more, such as one to two dogs per 50 ewes or nannies. South Dakota State Extension goes further and advises against running a single dog with a flock.
How you get to two matters. South Dakota State Extension reports that many producers avoid starting two puppies at once, because two pups together tend to play too roughly with sheep. Ontario’s agriculture ministry advises against buying several puppies of a similar age. University of California Extension warns that a pup bonded alongside a littermate or an older dog may attach to dogs more than to livestock. Texas A&M suggests starting with one or two, judging them at maturity, then adding young dogs to a proven adult. A pup needs 18 to 24 months to become effective.
We do not place two puppies from the same litter in one home. Our five Anatolians live and work together as a pack. Bailey runs it.
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.
Sources
- Texas A&M AgriLife, “Livestock Guardian Dogs: An Overview,” ANSC-PU-468
- South Dakota State University Extension, “Livestock Guardian Dogs That Work,” P-00400
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, “Livestock guardian dogs: selection and training”
- UC Cooperative Extension, “Bonding and Training your Livestock Guardian Dog Puppy,” Fact Sheet 6