Akbash Dog Photos

The Akbash Dog (Turkish: Akbaş) is native to western Turkey in the region known as the Akbaş, and it is primarily used as a Livestock guardian dog. The name comes from the Turkish word meaning white head. [wikipedia]

Akbash Dog Photo

It is a large dog, weighing between 90 to 130 pounds (40 to 60 kg), averaging 90 pounds for the female and 120 lb (55 kg) for the male, but it is leaner than other Turkish guard dog breeds, and has a distinct white coat, long legs, and feathered curved tail.

Akbash Dog Picture

The Akbash is not shy. When used as a guard dog, it is not extremely personable with humans, although the breed is not by nature hostile. The Akbash can be used as a companion dog as well as a working breed, and if trained appropriately can be extremely personable with any creature no matter the size or age.

The origins of the breed are not well understood but it is believed by some to be an ancient pure breed. The Akbash Dog is thought to be the Turkish equivalent of other white guardian breeds found in and around the northern Mediterranean Basin. Unlike those breeds, only the Akbash Dog has its unique combination of molosser and sighthound qualities.