Today, we have another big, white, livestock guardian dog to talk about – the Akbash! Many thanks to Emily Musgrove for the information and Amanda Kaiser for the pictures 🙂
If you currently have an Akbash, please list the name, age, and gender.
I have fostered 14 Akbash mixes and 1 purebred mom. Ages ranging from 2 days old to 2 years old.
Are there any names/nicknames for the Akbash?
I only know them as Akbash, many mistake them for pyrs, or lab/pyr/golden mixes. They only come in white and are descents of the Anatolian Shepherd which comes from the Turkish Kangal. Akbash are basically white Anatolian’s but are now considered their own breed like the white GSD.
What are three words you would use to describe the Akbash?
Aloof, watchful, and loyal once they trust you.
What is the Akbash’s average size?
Breed size is 90-150lbs
What is the average lifespan?
10-12 years
What are
Joint issues
How much grooming does the Akbash require?
Grooming, lots of brushing, lots of shedding. Tend to have double dew claws watch for rear dews too.
What was the Akbash originally bred to do?
Originally bred for guarding livestock mostly sheep and goats. They have less coat than a pyr so they do better in warmer climates.
What do you wish people knew about the Akbash?
This breed is aloof unless they trust you. If they choose to work you must still feed and take care of them or they will get up and leave. They can be difficult to motivate so they are not the dog for dog sports. They tend to be very quiet unlike the pyr and they also tend not to have prey drive problems. Mine have always loved cats.
Pin It!
With the face you can see why they’d be mistaken for a cross. Beautiful dogs.
Great info!
“Rescued” ours from a craigslist ad. Would you believe he was living in a second floor apartment? ! The first few weeks he was with us his feet were so tender he could hardly walk he had only really been on carpet! He’s the biggest goofball! So big, so gentile, so happy! Love this guy!
I have never met any Akbash and also heard about the breed 😮 Thank you for the info. They looks so cute!
We adopted Beau (male 4 yr old) in March and can’t believe someone gave him up. So lovable and sweet, he’s a big hit anywhere we take him. Barks a little, sheds a lot, but he’s worth the work.
I have noticed you don’t monetize your page, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn extra cash every month.
You can use the best adsense alternative for
any type of website (they approve all websites), for more info simply search in gooogle: boorfe’s
tips monetize your website
We adopted Louie at the end of 2018. 1 year old and 125 lbs., just a big gentle giant. Extremely well behaved as a house dog. Loves kids, other dogs etc. just doesn’t know how large and strong he is sometimes. Dog lovers often ask to take photos with him. Very few have ever heard of an Akbash.
We adopted our girl, Snow, from a shelter after she had been returned twice by previous owners..She was 15 months at the time. We have had her for 3 years now. She and my husband bonded instantly..Like love at first sight for both!!
She has settled in very well, even has 3 cats to play with. She is very gentle with them. This breed is very intelligent and can be quite headstrong.
I adopted Cooper from a local shelter when he was about 18 months old. He was a stray and had one failed aboption (they returned him less then 24 hrs. after bringing him home…their loss, my gain). He is brilliant, sweet, loving, and loyal. He barks a lot and is not fond of dogs his size, but other than that he is perfect. His yard is on the small size, but we walk Every day for about an hour, with lots of longer weekend hikes and he seems contented and in good shape.
We just put down money on 2 sisters, 9 weeks old. A combo of Anatolian and Akbash. Both parents are a mix also. The parents are huge! The mom is more yellow and the dad snow White. The dad is more wary. They look like huge yellow labs! I miss my old yellow lab, Brandy but I know I’m gonna love these 2 ladies: Grace and Mercy!
Since Sept 20 we obtained our Akbash Beyaz (Turkish for whity) at 14 weeks of age. He was kept outside in a rural area. He was too much of a guard dog and kept the neighbour’s awake. He came originaly from Turkey, his dad guards a herd of 400 sheep. Beyaz broke his leg so was allowed to leave. We keep him indoors at night and want him as our home companion. He is great but a handful. Strong and testing us and the limits. He is independent and self conscious.
I have a 15 month old Anatolian Shepard/ Kbash. I got her when she was 4 months old. She is very loving. She loves going in the truck. Her job is to protect the older dogs from coyotes. She lives in the house and loves pillows!