Akbash: Temperament, Exercise, Health

Group: Flock Guard Dogs

Also known as: Coban Kopegi, Akbas

About Akbash

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A General Description of the Breed

The dog derives its name from the Abkash region of western Turkey, which is its native place. The word Abkash is derived from the Turkish word for ‘white head’ and indicates the white heads of the dogs belonging to this breed. The dogs are white bodied too.

Over the years these dogs have mainly been used for guarding livestock. These are white headed and white-bodied strong dogs that have a keen sense of hearing. Akbash dogs have coarse and non-matting weather-resistant white colored short to medium length double coats. One will not find too much of doggy odor with them.

The dogs have massive heads and powerful jaws. They have long legs and feathered curved tails that reach to the hocks. They bear characteristics of both mastiffs and sight hounds.

Akbash dogs have v- shaped ears set high. Their eye color varies between different shades of brown- light golden brown to very dark brown. They have a strong and muscular neck of medium length that arches at the crest. The dog’s toes are strong and well arched. The pads are thick and hard, elastic and dark in color and the nails are gray, brown or white and blunt.

Height

Heights of adult dogs range from 28 to 34 inches.

Weight

Weights of adult females average at 90 pounds while those of males average at 130 pounds.

Personality

Temperament of the Breed

Abakash Dogs are intelligent, courageous and loyal animals. They have a primitive guarding dog breed temperament. Hence it is important that the owner of Akbash dogs has some prior understanding of canine behavior. While on the one hand they show a ‘submissive disposition’ towards livestock on the other hand they also display ‘dominance aggression’ against predators of livestock.

A constant socialization on the part of their owner(s) is what these dogs ask for. It is advisable for first time dog owners or owners of pets who may not have too much time to devote for their dogs to avoid choosing an Akbash as a pet. By becoming the owner of an Akbash one needs to give it a lot of attention.

It must be remembered that Akbash Dogs are serious working breeds. Hence they would always love to be at places where they get some engaged in some work.

Better suited to outdoor or indoor lifestyle?

It may be noted that the Akbash dogs are not recommended as pets to be kept in apartments even though they may get lot of exercise daily. These dogs stay pretty inactive indoors and it is best to set for them a quarter acre plot for them together with a 5 inches tall fence in some semi-rural or rural setting. These are quiet dogs and stay clean at home.

Are they suited to homes with children?

They are well suited for taking care of children over 8 years of age wherein the children can participate in submission exercises holding the dog as an adult. The Akbash has strong maternal instincts and it takes good care of the young of humans and other species of animals that are placed under its supervision. It has also got an independent nature and ability to swiftly respond in case of some emergency. Both the males and the females of the breed are equally good at guarding and caring.

Owners of Abkash dogs need be careful to ensure that someone known to the dogs always accompanies visitors to their homes. The dogs perceive unsupervised new people coming in as suspicious.

How active is the breed?

Akbash dogs are very athletic types and a long walk is essential for them everyday. However, their overall activity level is low though it requires a lot of space to run around.

Grooming

As mentioned above the hard coat of the Akbash is pretty clean, non-matting and does not emit any doggy smell. However, it does require brushing so as to facilitate the shedding process.

These dogs rank as above average shedders.

Health and Care

Being a large and rapidly growing breed of dogs there have been some cases of hip dysplasia and OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) reported with these dogs. However, these are few compared to many other large breeds.

Life Expectancy

The Akbash has a life expectancy of about 10-11 years.