All registered breeders should be striving to breed a dog that conforms as closely as possible to the Breed Standard for your particular country (some dog breed standards do vary slightly from country to country).
A quote from the ANKC’s definition of a breed standard:
“A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. ”
A breed standard is not a bit of nonsense for only Show People to be concerned with. Whether the breeder chooses to show or not, the breed standard affects not only the appearance but also the long term health and soundness of the various dog breeds.
A copy of the Australian National Kennel Club’s Breed Standard for the Anatolian Shepherd dog can be found by visiting the ANKC.org.au
If you are thinking of buying an Anatolian, it is worth reading carefully.
One of my particular concerns is that the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is defined as one of the Giant Breeds of dogs in world. The minimum size in Australia for a bitch is 28 inches and the minimum size for a dog is 29 inches. This is measured at the point of the shoulder, not halfway up the neck, on top of the skull or while the dog is standing on its hind legs.
In Turkey today, the breed is known as Coban Kopegi (cho-bawn ko-pay) which translates to “Shepherd’s Dog”. He is a livestock guardian dog, living his life in constant association with his sheep or goats, and is accepted as a member of the flock. (He is NOT a herding dog)