Anatolian Pyrenees puppy

[Nicci0110]

In my opinion, if you have to ask how to care or train an Anatolian Shepherd, you should not own one. They need to have an experienced owner. They are a large working dog that can weigh more than 120lbs. An Anatolia wants to be outside, they are independent, very protective and loyal, but they can be aggressive.

When we had our Meat Goat herd we used 4 Great Pyrenees as LGDs. They stayed out with the Goats 24/7, rain, shine, freezing temperatures, heat and humidity it didn't matter. They are 100% easier to handle than an Anatolia Shepherd would be.View attachment 4046828

I've owned large dogs. I actually had an argentine dogo. They are bred to hunt mountain lion and wild boar. He was not a working dog. I have never owned a dog with a purpose and I can't learn without doing it. I cannot take credit but my husband does an excellent job training our dogs. They have all listened well and I've had no issues out of any. I just didn't want to hinder his abilities in the future. Luckily he is already proving to be a smart dog with an excellent personality and a gentle touch when needed.

 

[Nicci0110]

In my opinion, if you have to ask how to care or train an Anatolian Shepherd, you should not own one. They need to have an experienced owner. They are a large working dog that can weigh more than 120lbs. An Anatolia wants to be outside, they are independent, very protective and loyal, but they can be aggressive.

When we had our Meat Goat herd we used 4 Great Pyrenees as LGDs. They stayed out with the Goats 24/7, rain, shine, freezing temperatures, heat and humidity it didn't matter. They are 100% easier to handle than an Anatolia Shepherd would be.View attachment 4046828

In addition to that everyone gave me trouble when adopting an large bird. Because of my lack of experience but here I am killing it with my umbrella cockatoo who had 6 homes before me however she's doing great in mine. I think its a matter of what you put in it. I put a lot in all my birds and he is to protect them so he will receive the best care possible.

 

[StacyT]

I know a few people that own Anatolian Pyrenees and the dogs have a great temperament better than my Great Pyrenees. My Great Pyrenees are standoffish towards new people were my Anatolian is friendly towards everyone. The only aggression my Anatolian has shown is towards predators. He’s basically my big baby. They do enjoy spending time outside but mine were raised spending some time indoors so they appreciate coming inside as much as they enjoy being outside. They do need a lot of room as they get large. Mine weighed 105lbs. on the last vet visit a few months back. I think you’ll be fine just make sure to socialize him as much as possible when he’s a puppy. Mine will play gently with my smaller dogs under 20 lbs. and all my cats love him.

 

[Finnie]

@Nicci0110 I don’t know if you are a member on our sister site Backyard Herds, but there is a LGD section there. It has a lot of threads about managing them and people’s experience with them.

https://www.backyardherds.com/forums/livestock-guardians.75/

You can learn a lot reading through that section, and if you want to post a question, the people there are encouraging and will want to help you succeed with your puppy.

It’s a smaller forum than BYC, so the responses are likely to be fewer but more focused on what you need to know. And from people who live their lives with their flocks/herds and their working guardians.

 

[Nicci0110]

I know a few people that own Anatolian Pyrenees and the dogs have a great temperament better than my Great Pyrenees. My Great Pyrenees are standoffish towards new people were my Anatolian is friendly towards everyone. The only aggression my Anatolian has shown is towards predators. He’s basically my big baby. They do enjoy spending time outside but mine were raised spending some time indoors so they appreciate coming inside as much as they enjoy being outside. They do need a lot of room as they get large. Mine weighed 105lbs. on the last vet visit a few months back. I think you’ll be fine just make sure to socialize him as much as possible when he’s a puppy. Mine will play gently with my smaller dogs under 20 lbs. and all my cats love him.

Hes doing great with my old beagle but she's very unimpressed by him. Yours is beautiful. We have 5 acres. I am trying to keep him in the living area bathroom and kitchen only to avoid him going in bedrooms. Im super impressed hiw well he's doing. Wesley a whiner in the kennel at night though for sure.

 

[Nicci0110]

@Nicci0110 I don’t know if you are a member on our sister site Backyard Herds, but there is a LGD section there. It has a lot of threads about managing them and people’s experience with them.

https://www.backyardherds.com/forums/livestock-guardians.75/

You can learn a lot reading through that section, and if you want to post a question, the people there are encouraging and will want to help you succeed with your puppy.

It’s a smaller forum than BYC, so the responses are likely to be fewer but more focused on what you need to know. And from people who live their lives with their flocks/herds and their working guardians.

Thank you so much! I didn't know it existed!

 

[paintedChix]

It is important that the puppy be around people, not necessarily you. Even grown dogs, elderly dogs, bond with the new people they live with as long as they are around people and are handled. The 13 year old foster dog I have now needed two weeks, which is typical.

I have not read this thread all the way through yet.

But, having worked at a Spay Neuter Clinic since 2013, I've seen quite a few purebreds of both breeds as well as other LGD breeds & mixes there of. An after hours & Holiday Emergency Vet Clinic is next door. I have friends & their family members who work there & we've taken a few of our dogs there as well, so I've heard a little about some & seen things while I've either had my dogs there or been there to retrieve info on a pet we are to spay/neuter.

Please !! take the time to socialize and at least do basic training w/ your new puppy. I've bumped, 1st hand, into breeders who state that a socialized/basic obedience training "ruins" the dog. I don't believe that to be true.

In too many instances, when the dog is in pain (coyote or Bobcat attack, hit by car) or stressed (new place & people - vet clinic), they become either extremely aggressive or they shut down. If aggressive, it makes treatment extremely difficult & dangerous. Not only for the staff but also for the patient. This both takes time in treatment away from the patient which could be critical, but also severely limits other patients's time. If patient shuts down, it often affects the immune response as well, lowering chances of an easy or fast recovery. I'm not talking just about actual shock to the system, which is common after an actual injury. That type of shock is planned for & accepted by Vet staff.

Yes, there are breeders out there that both "lightly" socialize their LGDs & do basic training. This includes accepting collar & leash, learning to walk on the leash, accepting touch to it's body (mouth, legs, tail - even private areas - belly & genitalia area of both sexes) & recall. Even some basic crate trying is good. I have "met" some of these dogs & it does not "ruin them" but enhances their lives & in several instances has allowed Vets & staff to save their lives.

You need to find those breeders for advice - either in person, by YouTube, books or the many forums now available.

I have been told that Anatolian Shepherds, by owners & breeders, can become human aggressive. This can be good for protection of their flocks & herds but bad if turned on actual owner or Os family, a legit visitor to the farm or homestead or to Vet & staff. Ive experienced one case of a Great Pyrenees becoming so aggressive & upset (was not rabid), that it made injuries much worse. He eventually succombed to those injuries. YES, people bring injured &/or sick dogs in to be neutered or spayed...

If become too aggressive, some states/counties can have them euthanized. That's a terrible way to lose a very large investment. That investment is not just financial (well bred LGDs, properly handled & started on livestock are EXPENSIVE) but also time studying/learning your breed & then getting to know you & your family. Even minimal handling does something w/ a human's heart...

 

[paintedChix]

& your pup is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Does said pup have a name? Or did I miss it?

 

[Ajp23]

What an absolutely adorable pup! I hope things will go well with him as he integrates into your family and life

I have an Anatolian Pyrenees also, he just turned three. Mine happened to turn out all white. He’s 120 pounds and well behaved, does well with all of our animals (chickens, goats, another dog) but he is as stubborn as they come. I think this is something to prepare for in his training, it’s in their nature after all. They are good at their “job” because they are independent decision makers. This makes it difficult when you just want them to listen, dang it!

He went through a really rough patch around a year old when his hormones started kicking in but then things settled down and he matured.

When he wants to obey, he does. If not, there is no way to convince him and that’s even with a ton of training . BUT they are smart and know how to do their jobs well. Good luck to you!