The Akbash is a large sheep guardian dog that originated in western Turkey. Standing up to 34 inches at the withers and weighing as much as 140 pounds, these athletically built guards fall somewhere between a mastiff and a sighthound. That is to say, they possess the sleek athleticism of the latter, combined with the inherent power of the former, making them formidable guard dogs.

The Akbash coat is smooth, short to medium in length and is always white, although there may be light biscuit coloration on the ears. The coat has a distinctive mane around the neck, to protect the dog from predators.

An ancient breed, the Akbash is thought to be at least 3000 years old, and possibly much older than that. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that dogs similar to the Akbash may have been used as sheep guardians by the civilizations that occupied Turkey as long as 10,000 years ago.

Like the Kuvasz, the Kommondor and other giant livestock guardians from around the world, the Akbash is quite capable of carrying out its duties without human supervision. The are strongly protective with the natural intelligence and independence needed for this job.

Currently, the breed is not recognized by the AKC, but is accredited by the United Kennel Club (UKC).

These are, of course, excellent guard dogs. They are brave, loyal and intelligent and are devoted to their human family, with a particular love of children. They have a very sweet temperament and provided they’ve been properly trained and socialized, make excellent companions.

Training an Akbash will at times try your patience, because although they are highly intelligent they are also independent thinkers. Thousands of years of breeding have taught them to make their own decisions, so they won’t obey a command just because you say so. Leadership and positive training will get results, but they do require an experienced handler.

Finding a name for your Akbash can be a challenge. If you’re stuck, my recommendation is Puppy Names HQ, a site with a huge database of dog names, including lots of boy dog names, to choose from.

The Akbash coat is quite easy to maintain, although they do shed quite a bit, so regular brushing will be required. The coat has no “doggy odor”, so bathing is neither required, nor recommended.

This is a very healthy dog breed that suffers from few of the typical health problems found in purebred dogs. Like many large breeds however, they are affected by hip dyslasia. Median lifespan is 10 years to 11 years, which is typical for a dog of this size.

It should be obvious that a dog this large is not suited to apartment living. The Akbash needs at least a large garden to roam around in and is actually better suited to country living. These dogs will enjoy a leashed walk but much prefer an area where they can move around on their own.