|
FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE
SECRETARIAT GENERAL 13 Place Albert I - B6530 THUIN (Belg.)
FCI Standard
ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD
Country of Origin: Turkey
CHARACTERISTICS
Active breed originally used as a guard dog for sheep: hardworking; capable of enduring extremes of heat and cold.
SHOW HISTORICAL SURVEY:
The Anatolian Shepherd is a shepherd's guard dog of ancient lineage, probably descended from the large hunting dogs existing in Mesopotamia The breed has evoked over the ages to suit a specific set of circumstances. Of these the most formative are the climate-hot and very dry summers, very cold winters-the people's lifestyle-settled, semi and wholly nomadic-and the work assigned to the dogs. They guard flocks travailing great distances on the Central
Anatolian Plateau. They stay out whatever the weather may be.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Large, upstanding, tall, powerfully built, livestock guarding dog with broad strong head and dense double coat Must have size and stamina Capable of great speed.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
Foreface slightly shorter than skull
TEMPERAMENT
Steady and bold without aggression, naturally independent, very intelligent and tractable. Proud and confident. Loyal and affectionate to owners, but wary of strangers when mature.
SKULL
Large, but in proportion to body, broad between ears, slightly domed, with slight stop. Mature males have broader head than females.
FOREFACE
Seen from above almost rectangular. Profile blunt, tapering very slightly to end.
NOSE
Black, except in livers, where it is brown.
LIPS
Very slightly pendulous, black edged. Edge of upper lip not lower than the profile of the underjaw. light lip corners.
MOUTH
Teeth strong with a perfect scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Complete dentition.
EYES
Rather small in proportion to size of skull set well apart, deep set, showing no hew. Golden to brown in color according to coat color. Eye rims black except in livers.
EARS
Medium sized, triangular in shape, rounded at tip, pendant with Font edge close to cheek, higher when alert
NECK
Slightly arched, powerful muscular, moderate in length, rather thick Slight dewlap.
BODY
PowerfuL well muscled, never fat.
TOPLINE
Rather short in proportion to leg length, horizontal slights arched over loins.
UNDERLINE
With the belly well tucked up.
CHEST
Deep to point of elbow, ribs well sprung, ribcage sufficiently long
TAIL
Long, reaching to hock set on rather high, when relaxed carried low with slight curl; when alert carried high and curled over back, especially males.
SHOULDERS
Well muscled, oblique.
FORELEGS
Set well apart, straight and well boned; of good length
ELBOWS
Close to sides, free moving.
PASTERNS
Strong, slightly sloping when viewed from side.
FEET
Strong, with thick pads and well arched toes. Nails short.
HINDQUARTERS
Powerful, not overloaded with muscles. Hindlegs vertical when seen from rear.
THIGH
Long.
STIFLE
Good turn of stifle.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Very noticeable level line of body, head and neck when walking, movement even, supple and long reaching, giving impression of stalking, with great power. Pacing acceptable at slow speed. Mincing or hackney action highly undesirable.
HAIR
Short or hair-long, dense, with thick undercoat. Great variations in length according to climate. Longer and thicker at neck shoulders and thighs. The coat tends to be longer in winter.
COLOR
All colors acceptable.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
At Maturity.
SIZE
Dogs 29-32 in. (74-81 cm) at shoulder. Bitches 27.5-31 in. (71-79 cm) at shoulder
WEIGHT
Dogs 110-133 lbs. (50-65 kg) Bitches 88120 lbs. (40-55 kg)
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault.
SERIOUS SPECIFIC FAULTS
Low to ground, heavy and slow, too massive, too light in build, whippety; flat skull; hackney action, mincing gait, stress. Coat too long and hanging.
DISQUALIFICATION
Muzzle too short (one third of total length of head; coat very short and smooth, devoid of undercoat; overshot or undershot; incapable of guarding livestock.
NOTE
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
As accepted by F.C.I. and Anatolian Shepherd Dogs International, Inc.
Printed with permission of the FCI |
