Akbash FAQ: Quick Answers To The Most Common Questions

These are short answers to the questions people ask most about the Akbash, drawn from the United Kennel Club breed standard, the breed’s parent clubs, Texas A&M AgriLife’s research on working guardian dogs, and veterinary references.

If you are new to the breed, start with the breed overview.

What is an Akbash?

A white livestock guardian dog from western Turkey, bred to live with flocks and protect them from predators without human direction. The name means “white head” in Turkish. The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1998 in its Guardian Dog Group.

How big do Akbash dogs get?

Males stand 30 to 34 inches at the shoulder and average about 120 pounds. Females stand 28 to 32 inches and average about 90 pounds. The build is lean and long-legged for a dog that size. See size and appearance.

Are Akbash dogs always white?

Yes. The standard allows white only, with light biscuit or gray shading around the ears. Any other color, defined spots, black whiskers, black eyelashes, and blue eyes are disqualifications, so there are no rare colors.

Is the Akbash recognized by the AKC?

No. The American Kennel Club registers Turkish guardian dogs as Anatolian Shepherd Dogs and has no Akbash standard. The United Kennel Club is the breed’s registry. See Akbash versus Anatolian Shepherd.

Do Akbash dogs shed?

Heavily. The double coat sheds all year and blows its undercoat seasonally, and the breed is not hypoallergenic. Plan on brushing once or twice a week and daily during the coat blow. See grooming and shedding.

Do Akbash dogs bark a lot?

Yes, mostly at night. Texas A&M AgriLife describes night barking as normal preventive behavior in livestock guardians. You can reduce the triggers, and you cannot train the barking out. See barking and night watch.

Are Akbash dogs good family dogs?

For the right family. The standard describes them as gentle and quietly affectionate with their own people and aloof and suspicious toward strangers. They suit rural homes with secure fencing and experienced owners. See are Akbash dogs good family dogs.

Are Akbash dogs good with other dogs?

The standard says they may react aggressively to strange dogs on their territory. Many live peacefully with dogs they were raised with. Dog parks and casual visits from other people’s dogs are a bad idea. See temperament.

Can an Akbash be trusted off leash?

No. The breed was selected to act on its own judgment, and recall fails when the dog has spotted something it considers a threat. Use a leash or a long line anywhere outside secure fencing. See training.

Will an invisible fence hold an Akbash?

No. A motivated guardian runs through the correction, and a buried wire does nothing to keep other animals out. The breed needs a tall, solid physical fence with no gaps at ground level. See fencing and roaming.

How much exercise does an Akbash need?

Less than its size suggests. Guardians patrol and rest, and many sleep through the day and become active at dusk. Secure ground to walk and a daily leashed walk cover it. See exercise needs.

Are Akbash dogs easy to train?

They learn quickly and obey selectively. Texas A&M’s list for working guardians is come, stay, and a firm no, taught in sessions of 15 to 20 minutes a few times a week. Aim for a dog you can handle and contain.

How long do Akbash dogs live?

Ten to 12 years is the figure usually given. Texas A&M found that only 52 percent of working guardian dogs reach age six, and that 57 percent of deaths happen after the dog has left its property, which makes fencing a health matter. See health.

What health problems do Akbash dogs have?

The Akbash Dog Association of America tracks entropion, epilepsy, and demodectic mange. The deep chest also puts the breed at risk of bloat, which is an emergency. No prevalence figures have been published for the breed, so ask breeders for hip, elbow, and eye results on both parents.

Will an Akbash protect my livestock?

It will if it was bonded to livestock as a puppy. Texas A&M’s protocol introduces pups to stock at four to eight weeks, requires bonding to be under way by 16 weeks, and expects effective guarding at 18 to 24 months. See working with livestock.

How many guardian dogs do I need?

Texas A&M recommends one to two dogs per 100 ewes or nanny goats, and one to two per 50 head where predators are numerous. It prefers two dogs to one, so the flock is still covered if a dog is lost.

Is an Akbash the same as a Kangal or a Great Pyrenees?

No. The Kangal is fawn with a black mask and heavier. The Great Pyrenees has a longer coat, a shorter frame, and double rear dewclaws. See the Kangal and Great Pyrenees comparisons.

Are Akbash dogs rare?

Yes. The breed reached the United States in 1978, and only the United Kennel Club registers it. It is more common as an unregistered working dog on western ranches than registry numbers suggest. See are Akbash dogs rare.

How much does an Akbash cost?

Breeders commonly charge $800 to $2,500, and adoption fees run $50 to $300. Texas A&M puts a working guardian at a minimum of $1,800 to start and about $900 a year afterward. Fencing is often the largest cost. See cost.

Can I adopt an Akbash?

Yes. Shelters usually label them Great Pyrenees or Anatolian mixes, so search broadly. An adult that never lived with livestock is unlikely to become a reliable stock guardian but can do well guarding a property. See rescue and adoption.

Is an Akbash a good first dog?

No. The size, the independence, the two to three years it takes to mature, and the fencing and barking all call for an owner who has lived with large independent dogs before. The breeders page explains what good breeders look for in a buyer.