INTRODUCTION - The
physical and temperamental attributes of the Akbash
Dog (pronounced Ah-k-bah-sh) reflect both mastiff and
gazehound origins. They have the size, power and
protective nature of the former; the long legs, fleet
appearance and keen eyesight of the latter. Unlike
many recognized western breeds, there is a decided
phenotypic variation expressed by the modern gene
pool; yet the breed is distinct and identifiable.
Great care should be taken that the breed standard
not be used to develop any extreme. The Akbash Dog is
the result of centuries of natural selection as a
guardian of livestock. In addition to its numerous
physical attributes and stable temperament, the breed
displays an exceptionally well developed maternal
instinct. Maternal instinct is demonstrated by
sensitivity and submissiveness to livestock,
nurturing of young animals and fierce protectiveness
when those animals are threatened. The qualities that
have enabled the Akbash Dog to excel as livestock
guardian should be uppermost in the minds of all who
select breeding stock and affect the future health
and survival of this breed.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The all white Akbash Dog is a large and ancient
guard dog breed from Turkey. The body is muscular,
long-legged and slightly longer than tall. They are
capable of running at great speed, have stamina, and
a gazelle-like grace. In addition, Akbash Dogs have
acute senses of sight and hearing. Males and females
can look strikingly different; males grow faster and
larger and take longer to mature, whereas females are
more refined in appearance.
TEMPERAMENT
The Akbash Dog is completely dedicated and
devoted to its owners and any animals in its charge.
These dogs possess intelligence and courage, making
them natural guardians. Their independent nature
allows them to respond swiftly and without guidance
in an emergency. Their loyalty and protective
instinct make them ideal home and estate guardians in
addition to their more traditional role of guarding
livestock. There is no difference in guarding ability
between the male and female.
Due to their strong maternal
instinct, Akbash Dogs begin to bond to other living
creatures at a very early age. They have been known to
form strong attachments to sheep, goats, cattle,
horses and other livestock; to poultry or exotic
birds; to deer, alpacas, llamas and other animals; to people. Once bonded, even without specialized
training, the dogs will not hesitate to come to the
rescue of their charges if they think they are in
danger, even at the risk of their own lives.
Protected animals often show great trust and loyalty
to their canine guardians - sheep allow the dogs to
sniff and clean their newborn lambs; often they will
flock behind their guardian when threatened. This
symbiotic relationship, practiced for centuries in
the Old World, is just recently being demonstrated
and understood in the New World.
Temperaments to be avoided include
cowardliness and inappropriate aggression. A timid or
cowardly dog tucks its tail, cringes, shrinks away or
trembles when approached by a stranger or startled.
Dogs should be able to discern between neutral and
unfriendly strangers; they should never attack
non-threatening people away from their territory. On
their own turf, territorial aggression against
intruders is normal, especially when their owners are
not present. They may also be belligerent toward
strange dogs on or off their home property. Handlers
are always responsible for controlling the ir Akbash
Dogs in public. The typical Akbash Dog does not have
a high activity level and is not overly playful as an
adult. Such individuals exist, but they should not be
used as breeding stock, since the development of such
traits would be contradictory to the breed's
attributes as a livestock guardian.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Mature dogs generally measure 28 to 31 inches (71
to 79 cm) at the withers; females 27 to 29 inches (69
to 74 cm). Weight should be in proportion to size and
bone structure, and results in proper symmetry and
balance. Mature dogs in trim condition weigh 90 to
130 pounds (41 to 59 Kg); females weigh from 75 to
100 pounds (34 to 45 Kg). Any significant deviation
from the above measurements is considered a fault.
COLOR
Coat color is all over white. Light biscuit on the
ears or on the ridge line, or coloration in the
undercoat is acceptable. Defined spotting or a large
amount of coloration is considered a fault when the
color is biscuit. Any other color in the outer coat
is a disqualification. The skin is usually pigmented
in a piebald pattern. A large degree of pigmentation
is considered desirable.
HEAD
Males have more massive heads than females. The
head seen from above forms a blunt wedge, broad
across the skull. It is slightly rounded as seen from
the front and in profile. A narrow skull, or a round,
domed skull are considered faults. The muzzle has
great strength at the base, is barely chiselled under
the eyes and should be slightly less than half the
total length of the head. The top of the muzzle
should have some breadth with a slight to moderately
defined stop. No discernible stop or an extreme stop
are considered faults. The muzzle tapers to a broad
nose with wide-open nostrils. Tight flews barely
cover the lower teeth. Powerful jaws, without fleshy
cheeks, end in strong underjaws. A snipy muzzle with
shallow underjaw is a fault. A scissor bite is
preferred, but a level bite is acceptable. A distinct
over or under bite is a disqualification. Dark
pigmentation should be present on the eyelids, nose
and mouth. Black is preferred but dark brown is
acceptable. Complete dark pigmentation is preferred
to any missing color on eyelids, nose and mouth.
Absence of pigmentation to a sizable degree on any of
these areas is considered a fault. Complete absence
is a disqualification. During cold weather the nose
and lips may lighten; this is considered normal.
EARS
Set high, V-shaped, tips slightly rounded, flat
to the skull, carried pendant. When pulled forward,
the tips of the ears should cover the eyes. When the
dog is alert, the ears are raised and brought
forward. Imported Turkish dogs may have cropped ears.
EYES
Almond shaped eyes are set well apart and
distinctly oblique. Eye color varies from light
golden brown to very dark brown. Yellow eyes are
considered a fault, blue eyes a disqualification. Eye
lids should be tight enough to prevent sagging.
NECK
A strong muscular neck, medium in length, arches
at the crest. Most dogs have at least a slight ruff
of longer hair, beginning under the ears on the back
of the jaws and extending along the neck and chest to
the front of the shoulders. There may be a slight to
moderate dewlap, although minimal dewlap is
preferred.
BODY
A long chest extends in depth to the elbows. Ribs
are well-sprung but not rounded. The back appears
long, is straight up to the loin where it arches
slightly. The croup is well- muscled and slopes down
to a low set tail. The loin and croup appear narrow
relative to the size of the dog. The long brisket
forms an underline parallel with the ground. The
underline rises to a belly with long flanks and a
slight to moderate tuck up. When the dog stands
relaxed or in an awkward position the back may sag
between the shoulders and the croup. This should not
be confused with a swayed back which is a serious
fault, as is a roached back.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders are muscular and well angulated. The upper
arm and shoulder are approximately equal in length
and form a distinct angle. The straight forearm is
longer than the combined length of the shoulder and
upper arm. This makes the front pasterns appear
short. The strong front pasterns slope slightly when
viewed from the side. Front legs are set moderately
well apart, elbows close to the sides, allowing for a
moderately wide chest. The front legs and feet stand
parallel with each other and perpendicular to the
ground. Overly long front pasterns, collapsed or weak
pasterns, pasterns and feet that turn in or out
noticeably when standing and moving, are all
considered serious faults.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters are long and powerful, with the
musculature and angulation to balance that of the
forequarters. The long hind legs contribute to the
graceful arch of the loins and to the speed and
agility of the breed. Stifles are moderately bent,
hocks well defined, and rear pasterns are vertical,
and parallel to each other when standing. Cowhocks,
under and over angulation are all faults. Hind legs
may have single or double dewclaws. Front and rear
dewclaws may be removed.
FEET
Strong, large, well arched toes. Nails blunt and
either gray, brown or white. Pads thick, hard,
elastic and normally dark.
TAIL
Long, reaching to the hocks. Carried low with slight
curl when relaxed, never tucked between the legs.
While moving, the tail is usually carried up over the
back, the height depends on the degree of excitement
and confidence. Tails may have a hook at the end, a
moderate to tight curl, or a double curl. The tail
may be slightly to heavily feathered in proportion to
the coat length of the dog. Imported Turkish dogs may
have docked tails.
MOVEMENT
The Akbash Dog moves with boldness and
confidence, taking long strides. There is an elastic,
springy nature to the gait. Feet and legs move along
a line central to the body, single tracking at higher
speeds. Fluid movement contributes to stamina during
sustained exercise. The dogs are also capable of
great speed. Sound feet, legs and joints are
essential to good movement. Restricted, choppy, or
other poor movement such as paddling or crabbing is a
fault.
COAT
A double coat is formed by coarse guard hairs and
a fine undercoat. Thickness of the undercoat will
vary with the climate and exposure of the dog to the
weather. Coats are shed seasonally. There are two
varieties of coat length; both are equally
acceptable.
LONG COAT
The outer coat grows quite long and may vary from
straight to slightly wavy. The hair should never be
curled or matted. Short smooth hair covers the head,
ears, paws, front of the forearms up to the elbow,
and on the lower hind legs. Most long haired dogs
have a moderate to fairly prominent ruff. The back of
the forelegs, thighs, and the entire tail are
feathered. Most of the long coat is lost during hot
weather.
MEDIUM COAT
The outer coat is medium in length and usually lies
flat, giving the dog a sleek, racy appearance. In
some specimens the coat is bushier, but still shorter
than the long coat. Actual length of guard hair
varies between individuals. There may be a light to
moderate ruff which is generally larger on males.
They may have little to moderate feathering on the
legs, thighs and tail.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Lack of any pigmentation on the nose, eyes and
lips.
Defined spotting or marked coloration of outer coat.
Blue eyes.
Severe cowhocks, turned out feet and pasterns or
other serious structural defects.
Pronounced overshot or undershot bite.
Swayed or roached back.
Cowardliness.
Inappropriate aggression.
Restricted movement.