How Much Does An Anatolian Shepherd Cost, And Is It Worth It?

Are you looking for a new guard dog and are wondering what an Anatolian Shepherd costs? I’ve got you covered!

Let’s face it: it’s important how much a dog costs. I’m not just talking about the initial price. You need to know if you’ll be able to afford to own such a large breed as an Anatolian – also known as the Karabash dog.  

Many people forget that their beloved pets cost money to keep. This leads to many problems further on. Understanding the price of owning a canine is essential before one can become a dog owner. 

Without further ado, here is everything you need to know about the Anatolian Shepherd cost:

How Much Does An Anatolian Shepherd Cost?

It is challenging to outright determine how much do Anatolian Shepherds cost. Both the initial price, as well as further costs, depend on so many factors that it’s nearly impossible to give you a straight number. 

In general, owning an Anatolian Shepherd will cost you between $700 and $3,000 per year. This, however, excludes the purchase price. Also, the first year will typically be more expensive than the subsequent ones.

Also, you need to know about the conditions you need to have in order to provide your dog with everything he or she needs. 

For example, Anatolian Shepherds are large dogs bred for herding large flocks of sheep. Due to their size and activity levels, they need a large yard to live comfortably. While owning a yard isn’t exactly a cost you’ll have because of the dog, you also have to count it in the necessary expenses.

Anatolian Shepherd Price Chart

Puppy price	$50 – $5000
Dog food	$240 – $720 per year
Treats	$100 – $750
Food and water bowls	$10 – $50
Dog leash	$5 – $50
Dog collar	$5 – $50
Dog bed	$30 – $100
Dog crate	$50 – $200
ID tag	$5 – $20
Pooper scooper	$10 – $30
Poop bags	$15 – $100
Odor removal spray	$5 – $20
Dog toys	$20 – $150
House training pads	$15 – $45
Dog brush	$5 – $30
Dog shampoo	$5 – $25
Tooth-brushing kit	$5 – $15
Toenail clippers	$5 – $30
First-aid kit	$15 – $50
Medical cost	$500 – $3,000
Total price	$1,095 – $10,135

What Affects A Puppy Price?

There are several factors that affect the price of an Anatolian Shepherd puppy. 

The first and foremost is where you’re buying your new guard dog from.

For example, if you choose to adopt from a local Anatolian Shepherd rescue, you can expect to pay only the adoption fee, which is typically between $50 and $150. 

Buying a dog from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder – which is something I would never recommend – will usually cost just a few hundred. Just keep in mind that you might end up with a Turkish Kangal dog or some Anatolian Shepherd mix instead. 

Getting your new dog from a reputable breeder in your area is usually going to cost you more. A good working dog will usually cost between $700 and $2,000. These dogs will usually be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and free from most health issues. 

The dog’s bloodline also affects the price. Getting a pup from a champion bloodline or an ancient lineage will be much more expensive. These dogs can cost $5,000 or more!

Anatolian Shepherd appearance and coat color can also increase the cost. While these dogs typically come in tan or brown with black masks, some rarer colors, such as agouti wolf gray or fawn, might be more pricey.

Other factors that can make your dog cost more are:

• A dog’s age. Adult and older dogs will almost always cost more than puppies, with the exception of dogs that have already gone through some specialized training. 
• Breeder’s geographic location. Anatolian Shepherds and Kangal dogs are more popular in certain areas, and, as a result, they’ll be more popular there.
• Registration papers and other documents.

Cost Of Owning An Anatolian Shepherd 

As mentioned before, purchasing an Anatolian Shepherd is not the only price you need to be mindful of. You also need to consider how much money you’ll need for these huge dogs.

Yes, one of the most important things you need to give to your dog is your unconditional love. Sadly, you also need to be able to afford some essentials, such as food and medical costs. 

Here’s what you can expect if you own this large dog breed:

First Year Costs

The first year is always the most expensive one. This is when you need to purchase your puppy, as well as provide him with all the essentials. 

This includes puppy food, then adult dog food, food bowls, dog beds, crates, leashes, collars, toys, and many other items. 

As these are rather strong and serious dogs, you also need to provide them with proper training and early socialization, and most people recommend hiring a professional trainer for this job. 

You need to get them sturdy leashes and collars, as well as hardy toys, as these dogs have high energy levels and can easily tear apart many items. Unfortunately, many high-quality items are not cheap. 

Finally, while your pup should come up-to-date with vaccinations and deworming, you still need to take him to complete his rounds of shots. Also, this is the time to think about spaying and neutering. 

All of these will not be cheap, and without counting the initial purchase cost, you can expect to pay around $2,000 during this time.

Keep in mind that this price highly depends on the brand of food and items you purchase.

Recurring Costs

There are some expenses you’ll have to continue purchasing for various reasons. Supplies are one of them.

Predicting prices for supplies is challenging. Some items you’ll need to purchase quite regularly, such as dog toys. Others, such as dog beds, you might need to purchase only once every few years.

However, due to the Anatolian Shepherd’s size, many items will cost you more than if you were buying for a smaller breed. They’ll need a larger sleeping area, a larger crate, and bigger toys. 

The same goes for food, as bigger dogs need more food. You can expect to spend up to $60 per month on dog food if you opt for more expensive brands.

However, it’s a good start even if you stick to some lesser-known brands, as long as the ingredients are good for your Anatolian Shepherd’s health. 

Don’t remember treats! Your Anatolian Shepherd will love a good bone (store-bought one!) for chewing every now and then. 

There will also be some annual veterinary expenses, but more on that in a bit.

Medical Expenses

Unfortunately, medical expenses can be the most unpredictable ones. 

When it comes to regular veterinary expenses, these typically include necessary vaccinations, routine check-ups, and some preventative medications he might need to take from time to time. 

These costs can range from $200 to $600 per year. However, if your dog ends up with some health problems, these costs can skyrocket.

Fortunately, Anatolians are healthy dogs with very few health issues. Some health conditions they are prone to include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or bloat, and eye and skin problems. 

All of these illnesses can be treated, but some might require surgeries, which can end up costly. Certain surgeries for hip dysplasia can cost up to $10,000!

Fortunately, many of these illnesses can be prevented with a proper diet and a lot of exercise. These rugged dogs have high energy needs, which helps them run great distances while herding. 

This also means you need to provide them with enough training and long walks to make sure their bones and joints are healthy.

Additional Costs

Finally, there are some optional costs that can also affect the cost of owning the Anatolian Shepherd. 

These expenses include:

• Pet insurance
• Dog walking services
• Additional dog training
• Boarding services
• Microchipping
• Owner’s permits

Some of these costs are non-essential. Others, such as permits, might be a necessity in your state. 

Finally, the costs of certain medical treatments are always a good reason to buy insurance. Sure, you might never need it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Is An Anatolian Shepherd Worth It?

After learning all about the Anatolian Shepherd cost, you might be wondering if these dogs are worth it.

They absolutely are! You’ll find no better livestock guardian than an Anatolian Shepherd. With some proper training, they also make good family dogs.

However, they are not a suitable breed for inexperienced owners who have never handled an LGD dog such as Anatolian. These rugged dogs can be challenging to train, and if you allow them to misbehave, you might be in a lot of trouble.

When it comes to all of the expenses, keep in mind that the average lifespan of an Anatolian Shepherd is between 10 and 13 years. You’ll be responsible for your dog for a very long time.