9 Popular Anatolian Shepherd Mixes (With Pictures!)

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The Anatolian Shepherd is an absolutely unforgettable dog. Their big, bold personalities leave an impression on anyone who comes across them. This breed is certain to be one of the most unique dogs you will ever meet.

Bred as livestock guardians, the Anatolian Shepherd was bred to resemble the livestock they were guarding. By blending in with their livestock, it was better able to surprise predators. Because of their genetics, they can look quite intimidating. This giant breed weighs anywhere from 80 to 150 pounds. Don’t let their size scare you off though; it is an ancient dog that has coexisted with people since as early as 2000 B.C.

In recent years, dog lovers around the globe have begun to create mixes by crossing different purebred dogs. These mixed breeds can take on many of the desirable traits of both parents. With the Anatolian Shepherd being such a unique breed, it’s not surprising that people started to cross them with other well-loved dogs.

We know choosing the right breed for you and your family can be overwhelming. With so much information out there, it can be hard to keep all of it straight. To help, we have compiled this list of popular Anatolian Shepherd mixes. If you’re considering bringing home an Anatolian Shepherd mix, read on to find out which one is right for you!

9 Most Popular Anatolian Shepherd Mixes 

1. German Anatolian Shepherd (Anatolian Shepherd & German Shepherd)

The German Anatolian Shepherd is an absolutely stunning mix. Known for their intelligence and loyalty, the personality of the German Shepherd will compliment that of the Anatolian Shepherd perfectly.

If you love the idea of a giant dog who is easy to train, the German Anatolian Shepherd might be right for you. You’ll get the best of everything with this pup. The German Shepherd tends to be more friendly than the Anatolian Shepherd, so this mixed breed can be a good option for families who are expecting regular guests.

However, German Shepherds are known for being extremely high energy. This is less of a concern with the German Anatolian Shepherd. The Anatolian Shepherd tends to be quite a bit more laid back. The German Anatolian Shepherd can thrive with a couple of walks a day so long as they are getting regular mental stimulation. Daily training is key for this breed!

These gorgeous pups come in a variety of colors such as red, cream, white and black. They even come in a stunning brindle! It is important to note that the German Anatolian Shepherd will require regular grooming. These dogs tend to shed, so prospective owners should be prepared to brush their German Anatolian Shepherd at least a few times a week. This is all worth it to see their beautiful, healthy coats though!

2. Anatolian Pyrenees (Anatolian Shepherd & Great Pyrenees)

If you have ever seen the Great Pyrenees, you probably remember them for their large stature and stunning white coat. These mountain dogs were bred to protect flocks of sheep from wolves and other predators. 

Because of their similar histories, the personalities of the Anatolian Shepherd and Great Pyrenees are somewhat similar as well. These two breeds are often mixed for farmers looking for a dog to guard their livestock. However, the Anatolian Pyrenees can also make a great family guard dog as well. 

The Anatolian Pyrenees is not a good fit for novice owners. They require early socialization and consistent training. Because they were bred to be guardians, they can be quite aloof with strangers. If you plan to have them around new people regularly, getting them used to this as a puppy is ideal. This is especially important because the Anatolian Pyrenees can be quite hard to train. They are extremely intelligent, but they were bred to be independent. If they aren’t in the mood to work, sometimes they’ll pretend like they don’t even hear you!

If you are experienced with dogs and are looking for a new addition, the Anatolian Pyrenees can be a great fit, though.

While the Anatolian Shepherd is not known for being particularly friendly with other dogs, the Great Pyrenees is known for loving their canine companions!

You can expect your Anatolian Pyrenees to do well in households with other animals. However, if your other dogs are small it is important to supervise all interactions at first. Your Anatolian Pyrenees might not realize just how big they are which can lead to accidents.

3. Anatolian Shepherd x Labrador Retriever Mix

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds, and for very good reason! This friendly, loyal, outgoing breed brings joy into the life of anyone they meet. This is also why they are such a popular choice for mixing with other breeds of dogs.

The Anatolian Shepherd x Labrador Retriever will also be slightly smaller than the previous breeds presented. The Labrador Retriever weighs around 55 to 80 pounds. So while this mixed breed will still be big, you can expect them to be closer to the 100-pound mark. 

Labs are known for being much more affectionate than Anatolians. If you are looking for a giant family dog, the Labrador x Anatolian Shepherd Mix is an excellent choice!

Also, for less experienced owners this mixed breed might be easier to handle than just the Anatolian Shepherd alone. Labrador Retrievers are much more eager to please than Anatolians, so training this mix is often a much easier task.

The Labrador Retriever x Anatolian Shepherd Mix is not suited for apartments and would do best in a house with a yard, though. The Labrador Retriever is a very high-energy dog, so they need lots of room to play!

If you’re looking for a fun-loving pup who wants to spend all day goofing off with their people, the Labrador Retriever x Anatolian Shepherd might be the dog for you.

4. Anatolian Shepherd x Australian Shepherd Mix

The Aussie is a dignified, fun-loving, outgoing dog. They are an unusual choice to cross with the Anatolian Shepherd. Their sizes and personalities differ quite significantly. However, crossing the two breeds can create a dog that takes over the personalities of both parents.

Despite popular opinion, Australian Shepherds do not originate from Australia. They actually were companions to cowboys in the western United States. The breed was developed in California where they were used as herding dogs. Today they are mostly kept as companion animals, but they also excel in sports such as agility and dock diving.

These fun-loving dogs benefit from a daily training structure. Anatolian Shepherds need to have consistency, as do Australian Shepherds. While Anatolian Shepherds can be quite stubborn, Australian Shepherds aim to please. Training your Anatolian Shepherd x Australian Shepherd daily is the best way to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive.

The Anatolian Shepherd x Australian Shepherd mix is a little more laid back than the Aussie but is more energetic than the Anatolian. They’re a happy medium! They’re also much smaller than Anatolian Shepherds. If you’re looking for a smaller breed, you can easily find an Anatolian Shepherd x Australian Shepherd that is less than 100 pounds. 

5. Anatolian Shepherd x Siberian Husky Mix

Like the Anatolian Shepherd, the Siberian Husky is built to work! However, the Siberian Husky tends to be a bit more energetic and free-spirited than the Anatolian Shepherd. Their contrasting personalities have made the Anatolian Shepherd x Siberian Husky a cross that is growing in popularity.

Because Huskies tend to become bored and destructive when left alone, the independent Anatolian Shepherd can help to balance them out. Still, it is important that your dog gets the appropriate amount of exercise and stimulation each day. This will help to keep them from struggling when they are left to their own devices. Overall, this mix will be much more mellow than the Siberian Husky alone.

This is another breed that will require regular grooming, as the Husky tends to shed. However, with regular maintenance, their coats are absolutely stunning!

6. Poodle x Anatolian Shepherd Mix

The Poodle is well known for its curly, hypoallergenic fur. In addition, they’re alert, trainable, intelligent, and loyal. Crossing the poodle with the Anatolian Shepherd creates a wonderful mix that’s incredibly loyal to its owner and with an appearance that’s very interesting to see.

The fact that the Poodle is so trainable means that the Poodle x Anatolian Shepherd mix is often relatively easy to train as well.

7. Pitbull x Anatolian Shepherd mix

The Pitbull x Anatolian Shepherd mix is a strong, fierce, and protective dog. They will grow up to be quite large, which combined with their protective nature means that they need a strong leader to keep them in check.

This breed is definitely not recommended for beginners. Without a strong leader to keep them under control and teach them the rules it can end badly.

However, if you’ve got experience with these types of dogs and can be the leader that they need then this mix can be an excellent dog!

8. Plush Danois (Great Dane & Anatolian Shepherd Mix)

The Plush Danois is a mixture of the Great Dane and the Anatolian Shepherd. If you see these two breeds, you’ll immediately notice that they have one thing in common; they’re both huge!

Since both of the parent breeds are so large, the Plush Danois is a large dog as well. They’re typically 30 to 36 inches tall and weigh about 150 pounds.

They’re very loyal and protective dogs that will guard their family against any threat that might present itself.

While the Great Dane is quite a trainable dog, this mix is not recommended for people who do not have experience with large dogs. Their incredible size and protective nature mean that they need someone who’s capable of keeping them in check.

In addition, they need quite a bit of exercise and mental stimulation in order to thrive.

9. Border Collie x Anatolian Shepherd Mix

Border Collies are known for their intelligence, persistence, loyalty, athleticism, and high energy levels. Combine these features with the Anatolian Shepherd’s independent, proud, and confident demeanor and you’ve got a great dog on your hands.

People who own these dogs report that they’re very independent, smart, and extremely energetic. If you get this mixed breed, make sure that you can keep up with them because they need a lot of exercise in order to stay happy.

Final Words

Purebred dogs are popular, but mixed-breeds are becoming increasingly popular as well. Not only because they’re often very adorable, but also because they combine the characteristics of both of their parents into one.

Anatolian Shepherds are well-known for being independent, protective and stoic dogs. Their stunning size and amazing personalities have caused them to grow in popularity. Plus, their willingness to protect their families has made them a common choice for those looking for a dog to protect them.

By mixing these traits with those of a different breed, it’s possible to get a dog that has the best of both breeds. Each breed listed here has advantages and disadvantages, and not all of them are suitable for everyone.

The last thing I’d like to note is that if you’re looking for a mixed dog is that you first check out a shelter to see if they have a dog available. Also, you should really make sure that you want a mixed dog. While it’s possible for Anatolian Shepherd Mixes to inherit the best of both parents, this does not always happen and mixed dogs do end up being abandoned more often due to them not having the characteristics that the owners were looking for, which is a shame. Make sure that you do your research and buy a puppy ethically and responsibly.

ThePetFaq Team
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