Are you looking to purchase a new guard dog but cannot decide on the gender? Chances are you’re looking into male vs. female Anatolian Shepherds for this purpose.
Many of us have some strong preferences when it comes to choosing the gender of our new pets. If anything, we might not want to risk having unwanted puppies or having to deal with spraying and marking territory!
While all of these are valid points, there’s more to it when deciding on female or male Anatolian Shepherd puppies. If you make a mistake and buy the wrong one, you might find that you’ll be dealing with a lot more than you’ve hoped for.
Here’s everything you need to know when choosing a pup:
Male Vs Female Anatolian Shepherd Overview
Male Anatolian Shepherd
| Height | Weight | Temperament |
|---|---|---|
| 27-30 inches | 110-140 lbs | Dominant, affectionate |
Female Anatolian Shepherd
| Height | Weight | Temperament |
|---|---|---|
| 25-27 inches | 90-120 lbs | Independent, intelligent |
Appearance
Most of us already know what Anatolian Shepherds look like. While these large dogs can come in several colors, they are mostly known for their tan or brown coats and black masks.
In fact, did you know that their color stems from the Anatolian Shepherd breed origin as a herding dog? They have the color of a young livestock, so they could stay camouflaged among the cattle they were herding.
Due to their appearance, many confuse them with Turkish Kangals, but there are some differences between the two.
Regardless of gender, these working dogs have a big and muscular stature. Just look at their growth chart! However, there are some size differences worth mentioning.
Male
Just as is the case in many other dog breeds, from Labradors to Border Collies, males are generally larger and heavier than females.
Male Anatolian Shepherds typically have a height of 27 to 30 inches and weigh around 110 – 140 lbs.
Their large size is one of the reasons many consider them to be some of the best guard dogs you can find.
Female
Female Anatolian Shepherds are smaller than males, although they are still quite large.
They’ll typically reach a height of 25 – 27 inches, and they can weigh between 90 and 120 lbs. While still huge, you can see just how big of a difference this is compared to males.
Don’t let this fool you – they are still a prime example of a large guardian dog that will intimidate any intruder who might walk onto your premises.
Temperament
Temperamental differences are probably the main reason why aspiring dog owners need to consider whether to purchase a male or a female dog.
Sure, all dogs have unique personalities, and this can depend on an individual dog. However, there are some temperamental characteristics dogs from the same breed share.
In the case of Anatolian Shepherds, these are protective and smart dogs. The best proof of the intelligence of the Anatolian Shepherds is that they are known to guard flocks on their own without any instructions.
At the same time, they are calm and affectionate with their immediate families, although they are not the type of dog that will be friendly towards anyone.
They are a rugged breed that isn’t for inexperienced owners, as their temperaments can be difficult to handle. This is also why it’s important to buy from good breeders in the United States who will make sure they are producing dogs that are on their best behavior.
Still, here are some personality differences that depend on gender.
Male
Intact males are known to be dominant dogs. They will challenge everyone, including their owners, and especially other males.
This is why it isn’t advised to keep several young males together. Their instincts are likely to get the best of them, and they might end up in a terrible fight.
However, if you spay them on time, they can be more affectionate than Anatolian females. Sure, they won’t be friendly with strangers, but they might be big sweethearts around their family members.
Many people think that having an intact Anatolian will harm his herding instinct, but this isn’t the case. If a male isn’t constantly thinking about breeding and finding a female in heat, he will do a much better job of keeping the livestock safe.
Female
Females have a strong personality, but they aren’t as dominant as males. In fact, they will rarely care about competing with you or other dogs in the household.
Still, they are known to be moody, especially if you didn’t spay them the moment they became adult dogs. Their personality can depend on their estrus cycle, and they can become irritable as their heat is nearing.
Also, same-sex aggression is very prevalent in females that haven’t been spayed, as they’ll want to compete for the male dog’s attention.
Female Anatolians are also known to have an independent mind, so they might not care too much about their owners. Also, they are rarely as friendly as males and prefer to do things on their own.
They will rarely put their paws on you or ask for cuddles, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care about their owners. They simply prefer not to be affectionate and to do their job instead.
Trainability
Trainability is another important factor when deciding on a dog. Any canine from a working group needs to be trained in order to fulfill his purpose. Not to mention how training and socialization from an early age can greatly help control a large and strong pup.
Anatolian Shepherds are not the easiest breed when it comes to training. They don’t like to be obedient, and they will try to be the leaders of the pack. This is why it’s essential to start training them when they are the smallest pups.
This doesn’t mean that older dogs cannot be trained, but there are likely to be some temperamental flaws that you can no longer deal with.
Anatolians are smart dogs, but they require much time and attention due to their stubborn nature. You’ll need to train them on a daily basis and make sure they have plenty of exercises, so their focus can remain on you.
Male
Male Anatolian Shepherds won’t easily be obedient. They’ll want to challenge you throughout the process, especially if you haven’t neutered them on time.
You need to show your male Anatolian that you’re the leader of the pack. Training him just a couple of times won’t help – you need to constantly show him who the boss is.
Also, they need more exercise than males to get rid of that excess energy. These are active dogs that require not just long walks but extensive workout sessions.
The greatest thing about male dogs, however, is that they can create deep bonds with their owners. This can further help with your training, as a dog that loves you and is happy is more likely to be obedient.
Also, most LGD Anatolians are males, as there is a general opinion that they make better livestock guardians than females.
Female
Females are much more relaxed than males. They don’t care about things such as dominance, so this won’t get in the way of their working duties and herding.
However, a female that hasn’t been spayed will go to heat approximately twice a year. The heat cycle will limit her ability and desire to listen to you, so you’ll need to deal with the constant mood swings.
Many people avoid having female Anatolian Shepherds for this exact reason. They don’t feel like having to deal with an unpredictable dog, especially considering the size of this particular canine.
However, they are more intelligent and focused during training sessions. This means they can learn new things much faster.
Due to this, many who want an Anatolian Shepherd guardian dog will opt for a female. Their protective and nurturing nature will always make them an ideal pet for this situation.
Health
In general, most of a dog breed’s health isn’t determined by the dog’s gender. Certain breeds are prone to specific health conditions, mostly due to their genetics.
Anatolian Shepherds are, fortunately, a rather healthy dog breed. However, they are still prone to several health problems, especially older Anatolian Shepherds. This includes hip dysplasia, gastric dilatation volvulus (DVD), also known as bloat, as well as some skin and eye conditions.
The best way to make sure your pooch is healthy is to provide him with enough exercise, a proper diet and to make sure he has the best life possible. Of course, regular vet visits are a must, especially for older dogs.
Still, there are a few health problems that are gender-specific. Here’s what they are:
Male
Intact male Anatolians are prone to several health problems regarding their reproductive organs. This includes conditions such as prostate cancer, testicle cancer, and cryptorchidism.
Male Anatolian puppies might also suffer from paraphimosis.
Female
Similarly to males, females might also suffer from a few health conditions regarding their reproductive organs. This includes ovarian and uterine cancers, mastitis, and pyometra.
They can also struggle with UTIs more than males, and they might experience false pregnancies.
Females are also responsible for carrying Anatolian Shepherd puppies, so they might be prone to several birthing and pregnancy issues.
All of these issues can be avoided if you spay your female Anatolian while they are still a young pup.
Which One Is Better For You
After seeing all the differences between male vs. female Anatolian Shepherds, you might understand more clearly which gender is the right choice for you and your needs.
These strong dogs from Turkey make excellent herding dogs and watchdogs, provided you have what it takes to train them.
Of course, there are many individual experiences from owners all around the world. Not everyone will think the same about either gender.
One thing is certain: Your four-legged Anatolian friends are not for the faintest of hearts. Both genders require lots of training and socialization. Otherwise, you are risking ending up with an aggressive, dominant dog.
Still, with early socialization, proper training, and lots of patience, they can be ideal working dogs. In the end, doesn’t every dog need some love and caring?
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.