The Protection Job of the Anatolian
Protection is the job of the Anatolian. The dog is bred to adopt whatever it lives with (e.g., livestock, you, your family) and to watch over and guard its adopted charges. This is a working guardian dog, and the Anatolian has a real need to have a guardian job to do. Most Anatolians, no matter how "easy" their lives are, feel protective toward their charges and take their jobs very seriously - this is not a game to the Anatolian.
Anatolians can be wonderful, valued companions, but they very definitely are not primarily pets. They are primarily working guardian dogs.
The dogs protect by patrolling their territory (or the area around their flock) periodically throughout the day and night. They bark to warn intruders off and attract your attention to unusual happenings. They have a repertoire of escalating barks and behaviors, depending on the seriousness of any particular threat. A good Anatolian should use barking and intimidation to chase away intruders; biting and attacking should only be a last resort. Read Ruth Webb's article about "The Protective Behavior of the Working Anatolian" for a more complete description of the protection methods and behaviors.
In North America, Anatolians are being used as guardians for various types of livestock, including sheep, goats, cattle, llamas, horses, poultry, and ratites. Many dogs are also working as property guardians and family companions/guardians.
More Articles:
Understanding the Anatolian Shepherd and His Protection Job