Dogs Save Big Cats!!

This is my project for school. I hope you like it. Our assignment was to write about a certain kind of service dog. I chose the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, which is a very big dog which looks like a pug when it's a puppy, as you can see in the picture.

These dogs guard livestock in Namibia and protect them from cheetahs and other predators. To support this program, see www.cheetah.org.

Here is my project:

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Service

• Since 1994 in Africa, it has been protecting herds of goats from Cheetahs, but also keeping the Cheetahs from being shot by the ranchers.

ExpectationS

• Keeps the Cheetahs from coming on the ranch and killing the goats, they act as guard dogs. They are kind to the sheep.

Breed Characteristics

• From Turkey

• Size about 130 pounds, would be enough to scare a big game animal away

• Tireless worker

• Trusted guardian

• Must fit among flock

• Must have physical stamina to be able to handle climate changes

• Displays high level of intelligence

• Often works on its own with the flock and it makes independent decisions

• Lives with and guard livestock.

History of Breed

• Used in Turkey for thousands of years

• Known by natives as the Coban Kopegi which means shepherd dog

• Arrived in the U.S. in the 1930's as a gift from Turkey to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• The first active breeding started in the early 1970's

• Ranchers in the United States used them for reducing and eliminating predators.

Training

• Like other guards for livestock, they need to learn who its supposed to guard

• From puppyhood on, it lives with the animals it guards.

• Obedience training helps it understand its place in the family structure

• Will recognize and respect human adults as its leader.

supporting the program

• The Cheetah Conservation Fund has provided free Anatolian Shepherd livestock guarding dogs to ranchers in Namibia.

• These dogs protect the livestock and this means that the farmers don't have to kill the cheetahs to keep their animals safe.

• To support this program visit www.cheetah.org for more information.

Bibliography

Gugliotta, Guy. “Rare Breed.” Smithsonian March 2008: 38-47.

Frampton, Sharon and Leslie Rugg. “A Turkish Treasure.” AKC Gazette June 1999: 34-38.

Cheetah Conservation Fund, March 9, 2008, <http://www.cheetah.org>

Picture sources

1. Thompson, Sally Anne. “A Turkish Treasure.” AKC Gazette June 1999: 37.

2. Frampton, Sharon and Leslie Rugg, (authors, unattributed photographer). “A Turkish Treasure.” AKC Gazette June 1999: 34-38.

3. Eszterhas, Suzi. “Rare Breed.” Smithsonian March 2008: 46.

4. Eszterhas, Suzi. “Rare Breed.” Smithsonian March 2008: 47.

5. Battles Farms, http://www.battlesfarms.com/images/2005_1231image0052.jpg

6. Battles Farms, http://www.battlesfarms.com/images/2004_1118puppies0008.jpg

7. Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatolian_Shepherd

8. Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatolin_Shepherd

9. Bay Haven Farm, http://www.bayhavenfarm.com/Mosby%201-11-06%20013.jpg