Page 20 - ShowSight Presents The Anatolian Shepherd

JUDGING THE ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD
A JUDGE’S GUIDE
The information furnished in this article
was written and approved by the ASDCA Judges Education Committee and approved
Aby the ASDCA BOD 8/10/13.
s the Anatolian Shepherd Dog enters the ring, the judge should immediately be impressed by the dog’s size
and soundness. It is a large and formidable breed. It should be noted that as the dogs first goes around the ring, some dogs will have their tail carried in a wheel and others will have tails carried lower. When gaiting, however, the tail should go up and over, some more than others. Wheel carriage preferred. This is indicative of the dog’s awareness in the show ring setting.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is, first and foremost, a working guardian. It is reserved when taken out of its element. This is not to say it is timid. It should be alert, in varying degrees aloof, and most probably disinterested. As a judge, one should be aware of the demeanor and not fault the dog for not reacting to a squeaky toy, a whistle or the clap of hands.
All colors, patterns and markings are equally acceptable as well as variations in coat length (1" to approx. 4" in length). Pronounced white markings on the face,
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neck, chest and legs are common. The neck should be slightly arched, power- ful and muscular with more skin and fur than elsewhere on the body forming a protective ruff. Slight feathering may occur on the ear fringes, legs, breaching and tail.
Pigmentation around the eyes and on the nose must be complete. Lack of pig- ment is not acceptable. Seasonal fading of the nose is normal.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a muscular and athletic canine. However, the breed is very slow to mature. The judge will notice greater differences in the young males and bitches through their second year, chest noticeably less dropped and body appearing much leaner. Equal consideration, however, irrespective of level of maturity, should be given to all dogs based on overall bal- ance, structure and breed type. Variation in body structure is acceptable as long as height, weight and bone are in propor- tion to overall size. Size should not be given precedence over balance, structure and correct breed type.
The skull is broader in dogs than in bitches. The head will also not have expanded to its mature broadness until
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after the age of 4 years. Certainly there are exceptions to every rule. The judge should not expect to see a dog that is covered heavily with extra flesh.
The profile of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, when standing, should show a slight drop behind the withers (not a sway back or weakness in the topline) with gradual arch over the loin, sloping slightly down- ward at the croup. The topline of the Anatolian will appear level when gaiting. With proper ease of movement, the head will drop, the back will remain strong (no rolling), and the tail will rise. When these three elements come together, the level- ing of the topline will become evident to the viewer.
Approaching the Anatolian Shepherd Dog should be from the shoulder and not “head on.” The handler should be allowed to present the bite. It is not in the best interest of the dog for the judge to over handle this breed during examina- tion. This is a working dog and should be respected as one.
The judge should make sure adequate space between dogs is available in the ring while the dogs are lined up for examination and insure that crowding does not occur during gaiting so each dog’s movement can
by CATHERINE EMANUEL