At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia ranges; the UKC standard gives typical weights of about 120 lb (54 kg) for males and 90 lb (41 kg) for females.
Coat and looks how to spot one
white double coat, medium or long
A tall, lean and muscular guardian that mixes the long legs of a sighthound with the strength of a mastiff. The weatherproof double coat comes in medium and long lengths and is always white, sometimes with light biscuit or grey shading on the ears or undercoat.21
Personality what they are like
Steady, calm and watchful, the Akbash is softly affectionate with its own people and reserved with strangers. It takes two to three years to fully mature, both physically and mentally.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Bred to patrol and guard livestock, it is happiest with room to roam and a job to watch over rather than intense exercise sessions.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The double coat benefits from regular brushing, more often in medium and long coats during seasonal changes.2
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to rural homes or farms with secure space and animals or property to protect.12
Company who they like around
Forms quiet, close bonds with its family and the animals in its care, while staying naturally wary of unfamiliar people.2
The story where it all began
The Akbash has guarded sheep in western Turkey for centuries, working alongside shepherds as a protector rather than a herder. Americans David and Judy Nelson studied the dogs in Turkey from the 1970s and brought more than 40 to North America, which became the foundation of the breed there.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Akbash means 'white head' in Turkish, setting it apart from the dark-faced Karabash dogs.1
- 2
Its all-white coat lets shepherds tell their dog apart from wolves and other predators at night.1
- 3
It protects flocks but has no herding instinct at all.1
- 4
The Akbash can take two to three years to reach full maturity.2
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Guardian Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1998.2
- Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- Recognised as a Turkish breed in 2006; governed by the Turkish breed federation KIF.1
- FCI
- Not recognised by the FCI.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Akbash. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Akbash en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, name meaning, Turkish recognition, size ranges, uses (secondary)
- UKC Akbash breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, history, temperament, size, coat, colour
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.