Sheep dogs were definitely around for the last 2000 years or so. The questions is whether they were raised for herding or guarding.

I have owned both types and raised Akbash, a Turkish breed as livestock guardian dogs. They are not trainable like the collie breeds. They are a primitive breed that bonds to the sheep and lives with them. If you can get 3 ocmmands on them you are doing well. But that is not the point. They live with the sheep all year, even in the coldest weather. They DO NOT think they are sheep. They behave quite differently than collies. They have been bred for 2000 years as protectors. They will stay with the sheep and then go out to attack coyotes, bears, cougars, whatever. They are the sighthound type varying greatly in size. Our bitch is about 70 pounds while our big stud dog was over 150 and when he stood on his hind legs he looked me right in the eye. We riased them with the sheep and it was not uncommon to find pups curled up on the back of a ewe. We had severe predators problems before we had the Akbash, Now we have none. They are large white dogs, bred for color to blend with the sheep. In others areas of Turkey there are the Anatolians, a darker breed that blends with sheep such as the Karakul. The is also the Marama, the Komondor, and several others that are breed for the same purpose.

We have seen ours chase coyotes and run off neighbour's dogs. Our bitch stays right with the small flock we have now. If they move 30 feet she gets up and follows. We have seen her round up the sheep so she can guard them when danger threatens or coyotes are around. We have seen them move over 100 head across the fields, one watching while the other followed along behind the smallest lambs.

Great dogs and all the breeders I know refuse to have anything to do with any Kennel Club. They are working dogs and are not breed for conformity. They are bred and sold on the basis of having working parents.

Richard Wright