Large, rugged, powerful, and impressive, with great endurance and agility. Developed through a set of very demanding circumstances for a purely utilitarian purpose: to be a working guard dog without equal, with a unique ability to protect livestock. General impression of the Anatolian Shepherd breed of dog: Appears bold, but calm, unless challenged. He possesses size, good bone, a well-muscled torso with a strong head. Fluid movement and even temperament is desirable. Expression should be intelligent. Eyes are medium-sized, set apart, almond shaped, and dark brown to light amber in color. Blue eyes or eyes of two different colors are a disqualification. Eye rims will be black or brown and without sag or looseness of haw. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. Ears should be set on no higher than the plane of the head. V-shaped, rounded apex, measuring about four inches at the base to six inches in length. The tip should be just long enough to reach the outside corner of the eyelid. Ears should be dropped to sides. Erect ears are a disqualification. Skull is large, but in proportion to the body. There is a slight centerline furrow, fore and aft, from apparent stop to moderate occiput. Broader in dogs than in bitches. The muzzle is blockier and stronger for the dog, but neither dog nor bitch would have a snipey head or muzzle. Nose and flews must be solid black or brown. Seasonal fading is not to be penalized. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. Flews are normally dry but pronounced enough to contribute to "squaring" the overall muzzle appearance. Teeth and gums strong and healthy. Neck slightly arched, powerful, and muscular, moderate in length with more skin and fur than elsewhere on the body, forming a protective ruff. The dewlap should not be pendulous and excessive. Top-line will appear level when gaiting. Back will be powerful, muscular, and level, with drop behind withers and gradual arch over loin, sloping slightly downward at the croup. Body well proportioned, functional, without exaggeration. Never fat or soft. Chest is deep (to the elbow) and well-sprung with a distinct tuck up at the loin. Tail should be long and reaching to the hocks. Set on rather high. When relaxed, it is carried low with the end curled upwards. When alert, the tail is carried high, making a "wheel." Both low and wheel carriage are acceptable when gaiting. "Wheel" carriage is preferred. The tail will not necessarily uncurl totally. Shoulders should be muscular and well developed; blades long, broad and sloping. Elbows should be neither in nor out. Forelegs should be relatively long, well-boned, and set straight with strong pasterns. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, oval in shape. They should have stout nails with pads thick and tough. Dewclaws may be removed. The hindquarters of the Anatolian Shepherd breed of dog are strong, with broad thighs heavily muscled. Angulation at the stifle and hock are in proportion to the forequarters. As seen from behind, the legs are parallel. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, oval in shape. Double dewclaws may exist. The Anatolian Shepherd's coat may be Short (one inch minimum, not tight) to Rough (approximately 4 inches in length), with somewhat longer and thicker hair at the neck and mane. A thick undercoat is common to all. Feathering may occur on the ear fringes, legs, breeching, and tail. All color patterns and markings are equally acceptable.