Since the days of Babylon, the large, powerful dogs with the massive heads were living on the Anatolian Plateau. They were used as fighting dogs in the battles, as well as for hunting large animals, even lions and wild horses. This interesting scenes are depicted on the well-preserved Assyrian bas-reliefs, presented at the British Museum in London.
This horse-sized dog is quite scary looking, but it is friendly towards humans and loyal to its owners. Audacious historians suppose that the breed has existed since 1000 BC.
There are many legends about its origins, but according to the most interesting one, it was bred by the Babylonians and the Assyrians as a guard dog and it could defeat even a lion. Another legend claims that the first Assyrian shepherd on the territory of what is now modern Turkey was sent as a gift by an Indian prince to the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV.
To most of the Assyrians known As Antolian Shepherd also , life doesn’t offer lions against which to measure their strength, so their daily existence is spent in guarding sheep herds or homes. They are considered to be one of the best “service” breeds in the world. They are sandy in colour, with a black muzzle and ears.
The Assyrian shepherd is built tough to do a tough job. It is a large, powerful, rugged dog, having both great agility and endurance. It has good bone and a large head. Its gait is powerful, smooth and fluid. Its coat consists of a thick undercoat and an outer coat that ranges from short (about 1 inch) to rough (about 4 inches), slightly longer around the neck and mane. Its expression is intelligent, and the general impression it gives is one of a bold yet calm protector.
This is a serious dog, devoted to its family and its duty as family protector. At the same time, it is laid back-and easygoing, never on the lookout for trouble. It is suspicious of strangers and is territorial. It is good with children, but it may not be playful enough to satisfy children’s desires. As a serious watchdog, it tends to bark a lot when its suspicions are aroused.
In his homeland The Assyrian Shepherd Dog was not only grazing the cattle, but also he was guarding the flock, walking around it or climbing the high observation posts from which he could better see and sense a dangerous predators. Once Assyrian Shepherds see a moving object, even if it is a car – they are building a chain and run forward like a wind. Such a tactics of attack are naturally developed in this breed.
Assyrian Dog is a large dog, and a highly reliable keeper!
Since ancient times and until now this dogs are used to guard the sheep herds in Anatolia. This is a working breed, a dog, that is enthusiastically defending the family of the owner and his properties, and his cattle.
The Assyrian Shepherd Dog quickly learns, he is faithful and affectionate with his owner, close friends of the family and children. Strangers should be carefully presented to this dog. To achieve the proper social behavior, the Assyrian Shepherd puppies should be introduced to different people and animals from the early age.
The International Assyrian Dog Club was founded in 1990 and at the end of 1993 had already 300 members from different countries: USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Germany and England. Most of the present owners of Assyrian Shepherd Dogs used to keep the German Shepherds, Dobermans, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and Rottweilers before. Those who need a big guard dog, quickly become fanciers of this – still very rare – breed.
Now the Assyrian Shepherd is getting more and more popular in Europe and America, where people purchase this Shepherds as companion dogs or guards of the properties. Their popularity outside of their homeland in the last ten years has been steadily increasing.