STONECOAT FARM

My husband pictured here in 1965(with his sister and grandfather), in full Turkish garb while visiting family back in the states. His father, a Lieutenant Colonel in the US army, was gifted two Turkish Shepherds when they officially moved back to the states in 1970, after living in Turkey for a number of years. These Turkish Shepherds became protectors of their Massachusetts farm. It was my husband's fond memories of these dogs that prompted us to purchase Anatolian Shepherds when we started our own farm in late 1995.

My father-in-law loved to tell stories about his interactions with these dogs in Turkey. One of his favorite stories to tell was about having to travel across open terrain and through large flocks of sheep protected by “Anatolians.” The dogs did not take kindly to these strangers invading their flock and they would chase down the jeeps and rip the mirrors right off the vehicles. He spoke of their power and courageous nature. Kopek and Abla, the two “Anatolians” brought back to Massachusetts were no different. They hated having strangers on their property and would have to be put inside when visitors came to the farm.

We acquired our first Anatolian for our New Hampshire farm from Linda Wold of California in December 1995. Linda had warned us that the pup was “alpha” in a large litter and he would need strong leadership. We accepted that challenge without realizing just how much of a challenge it would be.

My husband and I had decided long before getting a pup that we would be the “Shepherds” and the dogs were to bond to us as well as their livestock. The pup would spend time inside and when we did daily chores he would be tethered to our waistband while learning the ropes. We felt this was the best way to raise a single dog. We still believe in this method, but have moved to creating an environment outside where the pups can learn directly from the stock and human bonding takes place out there. (Although we still believe in the Shepherding Method and I have written articles on it 1997/1998)

The first night in the house, Sarisan, the alpha pup, showed me just how “ALPHA” he was. I got up in the middle of the night and went downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Just as I went to step off the bottom stair, Sarisan jumped up snarling and growling with his hackles up as he shuffled back and forth on the kitchen floor. My sweet toned voice did nothing to disarm him and I soon turned around and went back upstairs. As I sat on the edge of the bed I remember thinking, “oh boy, this is gonna be one heck of a ride.”

And oh what a ride it was! Sarisan was food aggressive, dog aggressive, not good with stock and an extreme escape artist. We basically needed a prison fence to contain him. He thought grabbing young lambs and tossing them into the air was a great way to pass time. He was very much a one person dog and that person was my husband. He merely tolerated my presence and if I stepped out of line, he would let me know.

Most people would have likely euthanized him and moved on. However, I was bound and determined to learn from this dog. I have always believed that there is something to be learned from “failures.” The breeder had warned us, I had sat and listened to the stories of my father-in-law, I had known of their internal power, strength and independent nature. Now it was time for me to accept the “lemon” and “make lemonade.”

Over the next several years I learned so many things from Sarisan. I learned this is a breed to be respected. I learned he could not be with young stock, however he was great with grown sheep and larger stock. I learned how to fix fences. I learned that Anatolians will meet aggression with greater or equal aggression. I learned how to get a dog that thinks you aren’t worthy of his time to do things by making him think it was his idea. I learned how to use a muzzle and control a dog off property. I learned how to talk nicer to my husband, because if I didn’t, Sarisan would quickly remind me I was third in command. I learned that if you were a trespasser you better learn to climb trees quickly, or I would find you, eventually, up on a limb with your shoes on the ground and Sarisan laying nearby. I could go on for days about the things this dog taught me over the 13 years that he ruled our farm.

He not only taught me how to deal with sharp dogs and trying natures, he taught me what I wanted and more importantly what I DIDN’T want for my own breeding program. He taught me the importance of not only selecting for superior working traits, but the importance of selecting for proper temperament. It is fine to have an Anatolian that doesn’t tolerate strangers, strange dogs and predators, after-all it is an Anatolian. But, it is so important for the dog to have a sound temperament and good discernment. It is equally important that the dog have superior working ability. We are committed to these things thanks to the 13 years spent with Sarisan. I don’t regret those years one bit, they gave me great understanding. They also gave me a love for rescuing and rehabbing Anatolians that have been given up on. Even after 25 years, I learn something new everyday here and my love for this breed continues to grow.