GENERAL APPEARANCE
The all white Akbash Dog is a large and ancient guard dog breed from Turkey.
The body is muscular, long-legged and slightly longer than tall. They are
capable of running at great speed, have stamina, and a gazelle-like grace. In
addition, Akbash Dogs have acute senses of sight and hearing. Males and females
can look strikingly different; males grow faster and larger and take longer to
mature, whereas females are more refined in appearance.
TEMPERAMENT
The Akbash Dog is completely dedicated and devoted to its owners and any
animals in its charge. These dogs possess intelligence and courage, making them
natural guardians. Their independent nature allows them to respond swiftly and
without guidance in an emergency. Their loyalty and protective instinct make
them ideal home and estate guardians in addition to their more traditional role
of guarding livestock. There is no difference in guarding ability between the
male and female.
Due to their strong maternal instinct, Akbash
Dogs begin to bond to other living creatures at a very early age. They have been
known to form strong attachments to sheep, goats, cattle, horses and other
livestock; to poultry or exotic birds; to deer, alpacas, llamas and other
animals; to people. Once bonded, even without specialized training, the dogs
will not hesitate to come to the rescue of their charges if they think they are
in danger, even at the risk of their own lives. Protected animals often show
great trust and loyalty to their canine guardians - sheep allow the dogs to
sniff and clean their newborn lambs; often they will flock behind their guardian
when threatened. This symbiotic relationship, practised for centuries in the Old
World, is just recently being demonstrated and understood in the New World.
Temperaments to be avoided include cowardliness
and inappropriate aggression. A timid or cowardly dog tucks its tail, cringes,
shrinks away or trembles when approached by a stranger or startled. Dogs should
be able to discern between neutral and unfriendly strangers; they should never
attack non-threatening people away from their territory. On their own turf,
territorial aggression against intruders is normal, especially when their owners
are not present. They may also be belligerent toward strange dogs on or off
their home property. Handlers are always responsible for controlling the ir
Akbash Dogs in public. The typical Akbash Dog does not have a high activity
level and is not overly playful as an adult. Such individuals exist, but they
should not be used as breeding stock, since the development of such traits would
be contradictory to the breed's attributes as a livestock guardian.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Mature dogs generally measure 28 to 31 inches (71 to 79 cm) at the withers;
females 27 to 29 inches (69 to 74 cm). Weight should be in proportion to size
and bone structure, and results in proper symmetry and balance. Mature dogs in
trim condition weigh 90 to 130 pounds (41 to 59 Kg); females weigh from 75 to
100 pounds (34 to 45 Kg). Any significant deviation from the above measurements
is considered a fault.
COLOR
Coat color is all over white. Light biscuit on the ears or on the ridge
line, or coloration in the undercoat is acceptable. Defined spotting or a large
amount of coloration is considered a fault when the color is biscuit. Any other
color in the outer coat is a disqualification. The skin is usually pigmented in
a piebald pattern. A large degree of pigmentation is considered desirable.
HEAD
Males have more massive heads than females. The head seen from above forms a
blunt wedge, broad across the skull. It is slightly rounded as seen from the
front and in profile. A narrow skull, or a round, domed skull are considered
faults. The muzzle has great strength at the base, is barely chiselled under the
eyes and should be slightly less than half the total length of the head. The top
of the muzzle should have some breadth with a slight to moderately defined stop.
No discernible stop or an extreme stop are considered faults. The muzzle tapers
to a broad nose with wide-open nostrils. Tight flews barely cover the lower
teeth. Powerful jaws, without fleshy cheeks, end in strong underjaws. A snipy
muzzle with shallow underjaw is a fault. A scissor bite is preferred, but a
level bite is acceptable. A distinct over or under bite is a disqualification.
Dark pigmentation should be present on the eyelids, nose and mouth. Black is
preferred but dark brown is acceptable. Complete dark pigmentation is preferred
to any missing color on eyelids, nose and mouth. Absence of pigmentation to a
sizable degree on any of these areas is considered a fault. Complete absence is
a disqualification. During cold weather the nose and lips may lighten; this is
considered normal.
EARS
Set high, V-shaped, tips slightly rounded, flat to the skull, carried
pendant. When pulled forward, the tips of the ears should cover the eyes. When
the dog is alert, the ears are raised and brought forward. Imported Turkish dogs
may have cropped ears.
EYES
Almond shaped eyes are set well apart and distinctly oblique. Eye color
varies from light golden brown to very dark brown. Yellow eyes are considered a
fault, blue eyes a disqualification. Eye lids should be tight enough to prevent
sagging.
NECK
A strong muscular neck, medium in length, arches at the crest. Most dogs
have at least a slight ruff of longer hair, beginning under the ears on the back
of the jaws and extending along the neck and chest to the front of the
shoulders. There may be a slight to moderate dewlap, although minimal dewlap is
preferred.
BODY
A long chest extends in depth to the elbows. Ribs are well-sprung but not
rounded. The back appears long, is straight up to the loin where it arches
slightly. The croup is well- muscled and slopes down to a low set tail. The loin
and croup appear narrow relative to the size of the dog. The long brisket forms
an underline parallel with the ground. The underline rises to a belly with long
flanks and a slight to moderate tuck up. When the dog stands relaxed or in an
awkward position the back may sag between the shoulders and the croup. This
should not be confused with a swayed back which is a serious fault, as is a
roached back.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders are muscular and well angulated. The upper arm and shoulder are
approximately equal in length and form a distinct angle. The straight forearm is
longer than the combined length of the shoulder and upper arm. This makes the
front pasterns appear short. The strong front pasterns slope slightly when
viewed from the side. Front legs are set moderately well apart, elbows close to
the sides, allowing for a moderately wide chest. The front legs and feet stand
parallel with each other and perpendicular to the ground. Overly long front
pasterns, collapsed or weak pasterns, pasterns and feet that turn in or out
noticeably when standing and moving, are all considered serious faults.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters are long and powerful, with the musculature and angulation to
balance that of the forequarters. The long hind legs contribute to the graceful
arch of the loins and to the speed and agility of the breed. Stifles are
moderately bent, hocks well defined, and rear pasterns are vertical, and
parallel to each other when standing. Cowhocks, under and over angulation are
all faults. Hind legs may have single or double dewclaws. Front and rear
dewclaws may be removed.
FEET
Strong, large, well arched toes. Nails blunt and either gray, brown or
white. Pads thick, hard, elastic and normally dark.
TAIL
Long, reaching to the hocks. Carried low with slight curl when relaxed,
never tucked between the legs. While moving, the tail is usually carried up over
the back, the height depends on the degree of excitement and confidence. Tails
may have a hook at the end, a moderate to tight curl, or a double curl. The tail
may be slightly to heavily feathered in proportion to the coat length of the
dog. Imported Turkish dogs may have docked tails.
MOVEMENT
The Akbash Dog moves with boldness and confidence, taking long strides.
There is an elastic, springy nature to the gait. Feet and legs move along a line
central to the body, single tracking at higher speeds. Fluid movement
contributes to stamina during sustained exercise. The dogs are also capable of
great speed. Sound feet, legs and joints are essential to good movement.
Restricted, choppy, or other poor movement such as paddling or crabbing is a
fault.
COAT
A double coat is formed by coarse guard hairs and a fine undercoat.
Thickness of the undercoat will vary with the climate and exposure of the dog to
the weather. Coats are shed seasonally. There are two varieties of coat length;
both are equally acceptable.
LONG COAT
The outer coat grows quite long and may vary from straight to slightly wavy.
The hair should never be curled or matted. Short smooth hair covers the head,
ears, paws, front of the forearms up to the elbow, and on the lower hind legs.
Most long haired dogs have a moderate to fairly prominent ruff. The back of the
forelegs, thighs, and the entire tail are feathered. Most of the long coat is
lost during hot weather.
MEDIUM COAT
The outer coat is medium in length and usually lies flat, giving the dog a
sleek, racy appearance. In some specimens the coat is bushier, but still shorter
than the long coat. Actual length of guard hair varies between individuals.
There may be a light to moderate ruff which is generally larger on males. They
may have little to moderate feathering on the legs, thighs and tail.
DISQUALIFICATIONS