Page 70 - ShowSight - October 2020

The Anatolian has retained its functional characteristics and there are no discernible type differences between those used for work and those that are shown.
Of course, the working dogs don’t encounter a bath and brush as often as the show dog, so coat density differences may be seen that are beyond seasonal.
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has divided this grouping of dogs—all found in the AKC Working Group— mainly into two distinct groups: Spitz (FCI Group 5); and Molos- sian (FCI Group 2). Two of the breeds, Komondor and Kuvasz, fall into FCI Group 1 (Herding, Sheepdogs). The Portuguese Water Dog falls into FCI Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing, Water Dogs). Neither the Chinook nor the Boerboel are classified or recognized by the FCI. Five of these breeds (Cane Corso, Doberman Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, and Boxer) are subject to working trials. For these breeds, their working ability is commonly demonstrated via IPO/Schutzhund. Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung (IPO) is the FCI name for sport Schutzhund titles. Within the Working Group, the Black Russian Terrier, not named in FCI as subject to working trials, also participates in IPO/Schutzhund. The purpose of Schutz- hund is to identify dogs that have or do not have the character traits required for these demanding jobs. Some of those traits are a strong desire to work, courage, intelligence, trainability, a strong bond with the handler, perseverance, protective instinct, and a good sense of smell. The various levels of Schutzhund working trials encompass tracking, obedience, and protection. There are various Schutzhund associations within the United States, some focusing on one or mul- tiple eligible breeds.
In this installment of the series, the flock/livestock guardian type dogs of the AKC Working Group (Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Kuvasz, and Tibetan Mastiff) will be explored. None of the breeds discussed has a working certification requirement in their native countries.
Three of the five breeds mentioned above are found in FCI’s Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer—Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs, Section 2.2 Mountain sub-type within the Molos- sian type (Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Great Pyrenees, Tibetan Mas- tiff). Two of the five breeds (Komondor and Kuvasz,) are classified as belonging to FCI Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs). Section 1, Sheepdogs, includes the Komondor and Kuvasz.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Anatolian), a livestock guardian, originated in the Anatolia region of Turkey. In June of 2018, Ana- tolians were coalesced into one registry with the genetically indis- tinguishable (same breed) Kangal Shepherd Dog as one FCI breed by the Turkish Kennel Club, and are now known as the Kangal Shepherd Dog. Prior to the joining, the only distinguishing charac- teristic was coat color.
It is reported that dogs of this type existed over 4,000 years ago. However, the breed was developed over time to meet specific needs,
climatic conditions, and lifestyles. It had to tolerate hot, dry sum- mers and cold winters, semi-nomadic movements with the seasons, and guarding flocks of goats and/or sheep that moved great distanc- es on the central Anatolian plateau of Turkey. It was and is expected to guard flocks without direction or human assistance. Working in trios, they are expected to guard a flock against predators, includ- ing wolves and coyotes, attacking the predator(s) when needed to defend the flock. To this day, they can be found guarding flocks in rural areas of Turkey as well as many areas in the US.
The Anatolian has retained its functional characteristics and there are no discernible type differences between those used for work and those that are shown. Of course, the working dogs don’t encounter a bath and brush as often as the show dog, so coat density differences may be seen that are beyond seasonal.
Known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in its native land area straddling the south of France and north of Spain, in the US the breed is known as the Great Pyrenees (Pyr). Puppies intended to be working guardian dogs are raised with their flock of sheep and form a close protective bond with them. Their needed agility allows them to easily go up and down steep Pyrenean mountainsides in the con- tinual guarding of their flock. In the US, they can be found guard- ing goat herds and sheep flocks, working in trios, braces, or singly depending on herd/flock size. What is common to each working guardian Great Pyrenees is an extreme devotion to the flock/herd and an alertness to danger that belies their quiet demeanor. When a predator is spotted, the Pyr(s) move toward the predator and sound warning barks to keep the predator away. If the predator insists, the Pyr(s) defend the flock/herd.
Pyrs have, by and large, retained the characteristics of their immediate Pyrenean ancestors. However, their guarding ability is not formally tested through the parent club. (You can imagine that tests would take days and days per dog, and require immense areas of land and flocks or herds!) However, the parent club website maintains a list of Pyr breeders who breed livestock guardian dogs. Much like other working dogs, the coat of the working Pyr does not often see a bath or brush. The show dog, on the other hand, is kept bathed, brushed, and unstained by foliage or dirt. To that end, too many show dogs are shown with coats blown-out via forced air, giv- ing an unnatural or “stand-off” look to the coat.
The two Hungarian breeds of livestock guardian dogs, the Komondor and the Kuvasz, were developed independently. A Komondor-type dog was brought to the Hungarian region by the Cumans in the 12th and 13th centuries, and a Kuvasz-type dog was developed by the Magyars circa the 9th century.
A declared Hungarian national treasure in its native country, the Komondor is a livestock and property guardian. The breed is related to the South Russian Ovcharka, Puli, Pumi, Mudi, and Pol- ish Lowland Sheepdog. It is used primarily in the regions of lower elevations with drier climates.
The corded coat of the adult Komondor provides protection against predators, weather, and vegetation. The coat of a working Komondor looks much like that of a sheep from a distance, allow- ing the dog to blend in with and look like its guarded flock of sheep. In the US, the breed is sometimes used as a guardian of sheep or goats against predators such as coyotes, cougars, and bears. The breed has a natural tendency to protect farm, ranch, and its human and animal inhabitants.
With such numbers representing the breed in the show ring, it is difficult to ascertain whether there has been morphological, type or style departures from those dogs used in everyday guardian work. Certainly, the show dogs we see are tidied up considerably as
BREEDING WITH INTENTION
68 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2020