About Anatolian Shepherds' Dogs Worldwide, Inc.
By Beth Goldowitz
ASDW is a non-profit organization that is comprised of owners and breeders of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs and people who are interested in these dogs. ASDW's members are dedicated to protecting and preserving the working Anatolian. We also want all prospective owners to be well informed and well prepared with accurate information about this breed. If you have questions, we can help you contact people who are knowledgeable and willing to talk about their experiences with Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. Our registry contains valuable information about Anatolian bloodlines. We also publish an informative newsletter, Çoban Köpek: A Guardian Dog Journal, and provide opportunities for contact with Anatolian owners and breeders around the world.
Our mission is to preserve the working Anatolian guardian dog for the good of the breed and, consequently, for the good of current owners and all those owners that come after us.
In the whole scope of things, this is not only a noble cause, but it is important because it directly affects our everyday lives. Anatolians provide a vital contribution to many owners as serious working dogs. Some members could not continue in their livelihoods without their healthy, sound, working Anatolians. Others of us consider our Anatolian a full, important, loved member of our immediate family. That our Anatolian is healthy, of good sound mind, totally socialized, and lives a long life is important because it consequently makes our lives more enjoyable and meaningful.
Our goal is to gain the involvement of every Anatolian owner that we know of and of every person who is interested in Anatolians and may become an owner in the future.
Many dog breeds eventually have been ruined or damaged by the activities of organizations like the AKC and other similar "show" registries and by indiscriminate "money" breeders. It can be different with the Anatolian Shepherd Dog for a number of reasons. First, there still are a relatively small number of Anatolians living in North America at the present time. Second, we have the capability at ASDW to directly reach a large percentage of all the Anatolian owners. This gives us a real potential to educate, exchange ideas, effect change, and make a meaningful difference.
Our objective is to organize all owners so that we can preserve the fully capable, working Anatolian that is mentally sound and physically healthy.
Why Anatolian Shepherds' Dogs Worldwide, Inc.? Basically, because ASDW is the only organization genuinely and primarily concerned with the functional, healthy, working Anatolian, and the only Anatolian organization that truly values and recognizes the importance of its Registry and that did not-and will not, under any circumstances-sell or give away its Registry.
In other words, we are the only viable Anatolian dog club remaining in North America. Most importantly, as of January 1, 1997, our Registrar, Ruth Webb, is maintaining the only independent, accurate, honest, meaningful, complete Anatolian registry in North America.
Our registry is the heart of ASDW. The registry is the total history of all Anatolians in North America. Its information is critical to owners new and old and is essential to the continued health of the breed itself. The registry allows us to provide information about a dog's expected health, disposition, physical characteristics, and working abilities.
Our dues have remained the same since our club's inception, because we know that some people cannot afford more than $15-17. Those of us who are able have contributed $20-25, and some very generous members have given even more, but no one is obligated to pay this much.
The collective knowledge and experience of our members are immeasurable, but we need everyone's help and input. ASDW welcomes membership from anyone who is interested in these unique dogs. Whether you own an Anatolian or want to learn more about this breed, we ask you to join ASDW for the good of our Anatolians.
This article is reprinted from Anatolian Shepherd Dog Information Guide © 1998 by Anatolian Shepherds' Dogs Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher. Published by Anatolian Shepherds' Dogs Worldwide, Inc., PO Box 5815, Grand Island NE 68801 USA.