All registered breeders should be striving to breed a dog that conforms as closely as possible to the Breed Standard for your particular country (some dog breed standards do vary slightly from country to country).

I can do no better than quote the ANKC’s definition of a breed standard:

“A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. ”

A breed standard is not a bit of nonsense for only Show People to be concerned with.  Whether the breeder chooses to show or not, the breed standard affects not only the appearance but also the long term health and soundness of the various dog breeds.

A copy of the Australian National Kennel Club’s Breed Standard for the Anatolian Shepherd dog can be found here.

If you are thinking of buying an Anatolian, it is worth reading carefully.

One of my particular concerns is that the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is defined as one of the Giant Breeds of dogs in world.   The minimum size in Australia for a bitch is 28 inches and the minimum size for a dog is 29 inches.   This is measured at the point of the shoulder, not halfway up the neck, on top of the skull or while the dog is standing on its hind legs.

I strongly suggest that if your circumstances allow and if the breeder you are dealing with allows it, that you visit the breeder and make sure you are happy with the parents.   If the dog or bitch does not meet the required minimum height, then not only does it simply NOT meet the breed standard but it’s highly unlikely that their offspring will also not grow to correct size.

I have seen some tragically small Anatolians in Australia in recent years that resemble misshappen Labradors in size.  

My advice to would be puppy buyers is this – take a measurement to 29 inches on the side of your leg and check that the parents make this height at the point of their shoulder.   Physically check the parents.   Make sure you like the look and temperament of both parents because your puppies will not be miraculously different looking or behaving than their parents.

Also Anatolians live for  a LONG time and they are not easy to rehome as adults so make sure you buy a pup that you will be proud to own for the next 14 years or so.

It’s worth a cheap flight to go and check the breeder’s dogs before you buy a long term member of your family.