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Fierce New Guard Dog Fights Off Predators
If you've been fighting a losing battle with coyotes, stray dogs or other predators, you'll be interested in the Anatolian Shepherd, a little-known breed of dog with an uncanny ability to control predators, particularly coyotes.
They will protect any and all farm animals, including sheep, cattle, hogs, chick-ens
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Fierce new guard dog fights off predators AG WORLD Ag World 15-4-20 If you've been fighting a losing battle with coyotes, stray dogs or other predators, you'll be interested in the Anatolian Shepherd, a little-known breed of dog with an uncanny ability to control predators, particularly coyotes.
They will protect any and all farm animals, including sheep, cattle, hogs, chick-ens, geese, ducks, and even llamas, reports Nancy Feemster, Freedom, Calif., breeder and long-time member of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America.
The Anatolian is a large sturdy breed recently introduced to the U.S. from its native Turkey. The classic coloring of the dogs is tan with black ears and muzzle. Males stand over 30 in. high and normally weigh 100 to 150 lbs.
"Anatolians are natural-born guard dogs. They instinctively consider coyotes or stray dogs their enemies. Their protective instincts are so strong they need almost no training," says Feemster who owns several Anatolians to guard her large sheep flock. "They're also suspicious of strangers. In fact, range-patrolling dogs will not allow strangers to approach. However, Anatolians can be taught to guard homesteads."
Ranchers who've had Anatolians for years say they're quick to learn and loyal and faithful to their owners. To break an Matolian in as a guard dog, it's important to bond puppies as early as possible with live-stock under vigilant supervision to show them what's acceptable and what's not. Owners begin training puppies as early as 2 to 3 weeks of age, when they're introduced, one on one, to sheep and goats. They accompany owners to maternity pens and help to clean up baby goats as they're born. Even puppies will gently clean and nuzzle newborn lambs and kids.
Anatolian dogs are still widely used in their native Turkey. Since Babylonian times they've been used as war dogs and for hunting big game such as lions. In Turkey, as in the U.S., the dogs aren't used to herd sheep but only to protect them.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Nancy Feemster, P.O. Box 650, Freedom, Calif. 95019 (ph 408 728-3958).
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