GLD - Anatolian Shepherd Puppy needs a GOOD home!

Please help me spread the word!!

Need to find a good home for a 9 month old Anatolian Shepherd/Great Dane mix, male as soon as possible.
To consider adopting, you MUST know what a Guardian Livestock Dog does, and how they are different from house pets.  

Details:
To keep a puppy dropped in the country by a friend's house out of a kill shelter, I took the puppy in when my friend convinced me it was a Great Dane/Golden  mix due to the bump on his head and that he was a great indoor dog at her house who just liked laying at her feet..and she had no other options.  I didn't know that much about dogs breeds so I believed her and she believed it as well.  He was probably recovering from being dumped.  I have a feeling this dog was dropped in the country by our friend's house because they were probably living in the city with a dog that should be out on land guarding livestock.

I have posted in every missing dog forum as well as local community forums for Caramel's family; and for anyone who wanted a GLD for their farm.  We're in the KC Metro area and have had very little interest.  I contacted the Anatolian Rescue, and they are not currently taking any fosters in, but will post a courtesy link on him for people to contact me.  I submitted that earlier today, so when that is live, I will add the link here.  I will also add more information later today or tomorrow and more pics.  

After taking to the vet the dog we named Caramel has been identified as a GLD Anatolian Shepherd/Dane mix, with instincts to match.  He was 6 months old when we got him.  He has had his shots, heart worm test and been medicated for 3 months.

When he came to us, he was obviously loved as he kept trying to crawl into everyone's laps and lean against them.  But he needs a job to do.  He's a super sweet dog, but as I have researched more about the breed, I know our family is not the best place for him to live a fulfilling life.  It needs to be sooner vs later, so he can be acclimated to the types of livestock he needs to guard.  

Two pictures of Caramel, more to come later.  He's slightly bigger than this now, 3 months later his head comes to the counter and he can tilt it slightly to lick the counter if he's close enough :)

I'm a disabled 'ol cowgirl who has raised Kerry Blues, GS, McNabs, and an Italian Mastiff.  There is a growing trend to use dogs for pulling carts or modified wheelchairs.  Although he's probably gone, I would love to be considered!

HAPPY HOLIDAZE,
Jill Lanford
jillanfordrn@aol.com

While he is powerful enough to do that; I honestly think that this particular breed would probably not work for this at all.  We recently found out, per the Anatolian rescue group, that they are fairly certain he is 100% Anatolian Shepherd pup.  I am happy to give him away for free, but now that I know this, I want to make sure that he goes to a home where he and the owners can be successful together.  

He is trainable, but stubborn.  He is not quick to obey, and his main instinct is to guard his livestock.  He is a working dog, but needs at least an hour of exercise daily.  He can easily clear a 4 foot fence and as he grows I would assume a 5 ft fence as well.  He can climb chain link fences, but has learned the general outline of our property and mostly stays within it.  

He can go outside of it and far enough outside of it so far has been good with other people.  If people are close to the property, like the road outside of it, they are considered a threat and we are still training him to recognize and calm down when we have visitors.   He needs a physically strong and mentally firm owner.   I would read all about him on the Anatolian sites because every single behavior listed fits him exactly.   If you are still interested feel free to contact me at 816-409-9111

Thank you for your work to help this pup. I wish we could take in another dog, but we have 3, one elderly and one a puppy, and that is all I could get my wife to take (which is reasonable on her part). I will say that our LGD Wilson, a Great Pyrenees-Akbash (a white anatolian) (50/50), has made every other permaculture project I have undertaken easier and more viable. I have worked on projects where his services were not available (he’s at our property protecting it), and he was greatly missed. They need a good fence to keep them off roads (they are ancient breeds that try to stop cars like they would stop a bear, and this does not work out well for them), but they will then protect everything within that fence. People, property, trees, gardens, pets, and livestock are all protected within their territory. They are bred to be gentle with smaller animals, so they are much less likely to harm your other animals or wildlife. If you have a large fenced (6ft+tall) area and other mammals to keep them company and happy, I think LGDs are the best permaculture partner one could ask for.

I hope this fella finds a good home!

I honestly have fallen in love with this sweet dog.   It breaks my heart to have to find him a more suitable home.  We have almost 4 acres, with a pond on it, but we do not have a fence tall enough.  We have the regulation size 4’ chain link; he sails over that easily.   Maybe a 5’ with electric might work.  But its also a small backyard fence right off the back porch and is really just about the same footprint as the house itself.   I would need to have it be a 5/6’ metal one that goes all the way around.  

One thing I can say for him is that we (the kids, not me) have taken him for walks around the perimeter of the property when we first brought him home every day.  The kids got kind of busy and so am I, but he seems to have a relatively good idea of what is his when he runs around.   He is a stubborn learner but plays well with our other dog and the two little ones he’s met; is learning to sit and wait to eat until I walk away from putting his food down.

Please share this in other forums and please be on the lookout for anyone wanting a livestock dog. Thank you

Perhaps I’m missing it but where are you located?   Do you think the invisible fencing around the perimeter of your current fencing would assist in keeping him on your property?
I do have interest but wanted to reach out to you about the above.  Thank you. Stephanie

I’m not sure if you still have him, but I’m looking for an Anatolian to guard my baby goats I’m getting this spring.

invisible fencing might work; but he is powerful and fast.  I can’t afford it currently.  

kansas city metro area = location

Sorry it took me so long to respond; I didn't see the message until today

Christine Gutterman wrote:I’m not sure if you still have him, but I’m looking for an Anatolian to guard my baby goats I’m getting this spring.

Where are you located?  Have you had an Anatolian before?

Is he still available
I would take him if so

Same questions - have you had an Anotolian before? Where are you located? Yes, he is still available.  Email me at Sensational.Solutions@zoho.com with the subject line DOG so I can see the email easily and we can connect.  

I recently rescued a 3 1/2 year old Anatolian male. He was scheduled for euthanasia and a fabulous foster mom from a small rescue came to get him. she had him for almost 6 months. When I brought him home, he velcroed to me and my brother with DS  who lives with me. I am in a residential area but live down the block from a small county park with trails. I always had labs and when my girl had to be put to rest, I looked for another lab. Found Jack instead. They preferred someone with experience with the breed or at least to study up on them which I did.  I am a smallish 70 year old and have to say, he is phenomenal.  He may have jumped the fence once at night probably to investigate a deer in the neighbors yard. I have a 5 foot fence. I try to walk him on the trails twice a day but it's usually once. He is so sweet and loving. When outside, he usually sits at gate and watches. I have to be firm with him when walking because his foster mom had 2 large dogs of her own and I know he misses them. He wants to go up to every dog that we meet on the trail. He listens to me well, I bend down to him, hold him by his vest and tell him "no" firmly.  I know this is long but this is my experience with a purebred Anatolian so far.  We will be going to obedience in September. Thus far he has been wonderful, yes stubbornness is a strong trait but can be worked with.  I have a small yard. Was outside when a deer was in other neighbors yard and he just stared at it, didn't try to jump fence and go after it. He typically doesn't go out at night. He makes no wish to. He prefers I go out with him. May change in time but for now, he doesn't exhibit desire to jump, doesn't chew stuff.  Side note. The mailman knew what kind of dog he was and told me another person on his route had one as well and it was the only large dog that he would actually pet and allowed him to pet. That was remarkable knowing that is not typical behavior of the breed. My boy is very wary of other people. He is starting to warm to friends that visit. Quite frankly, I love this as my last lab wouldn't leave friends alone and while it didn't bother me, I know its bothersome behavior to others. Our las 3 labs were rescues. Stopped using breeders as there are too many animals needing homes. Love my new boy. Hope this helps anyone considering adopting an Anatolian

Hi Gail,

Welcome to Permies.