Born Shepherd
Even before opening their eyes, Akbaş puppies have an innate instinct to protect their flock. Research shows that at six weeks old, these puppies learn to remain passive around sheep and begin to distinguish individual members of the flock by sound and smell. This behavior is one of the fundamental differences that distinguishes them from shepherd dogs: they are born to protect, not to attack.
Engraved in Memory by Smell
The first 48 hours of an Akbaş puppy's development permanently shapes its sense of smell. If the puppy recognizes the scent of the animals in the herd during this period, it will accept them as its “family” when it grows up and will silently take a defensive stance against all strangers. For this reason, breeders keep the puppies as close to their own herd as possible during the first few days.
Silent Alarm Mechanism
These dogs do not bark unnecessarily. Akbaş puppies learn to activate their silent alarm mechanism as early as two months old. When they detect a threat, they first take a defensive position and analyze the situation through eye contact. However, when they truly sense danger, they issue a warning with short, sharp barks—this is their genetically ingrained silent combat strategy.
They Disappear Silently in the Snow
Their snow-white fur is not just an aesthetic feature, but also a perfect tool for camouflage. An Akbaş puppy born in the snowy highlands of Anatolia blends into its surroundings without even realizing its whiteness, even when it is only a few weeks old. This makes both the puppy and the herd invisible to predators.
The Pup That Chooses to Sleep Alone
While many shepherd dog puppies prefer to sleep next to their mother or siblings, Akbaş puppies naturally choose to sleep alone. This habit is an early rehearsal for a guard dog that will eventually patrol its territory alone. Their isolated sleeping positions are the first sign of their independent character.
The Puppy That Marks Its Territory
At three months old, Akbaş puppies begin to divide the area around them into zones in their minds. They create “boundaries” not only physically but also mentally. If even a foreign bird enters this area, they will begin to follow it. This sense of territory can extend up to 5 km² in adulthood, and the dog will silently patrol this area every day.
Friend to Cats, Enemy to Foxes
Interestingly, Akbaş puppies are curious and patient toward small cats. However, they react to the scent of foxes from the first encounter. They make this distinction based on scent, and this preference seems to be a legacy of Anatolian culture, where foxes frequently attacked herds in centuries past.
They Do Not Make Eye Contact with Strangers
When an Akbaş puppy encounters a stranger, it learns not to make eye contact. This is not fear, but strategy. By not making eye contact, the puppy sends the message, “I am watching you, but I am not interested in you.” This behavior develops into a serious protective silence when the dog reaches adulthood.
They Prefer to Roam in the Moonlight
Nighttime activity is part of the Akbaş's genetic heritage. Even as puppies, they have been observed to move more when there is moonlight. This habit is an early reflection of their instinct to watch over the herd throughout the night. Their ability to move silently and unnoticed is striking, even in the dark.
Large Paws, Light Steps
Akbaş puppies' paws appear quite large for their age. However, this does not mean they are heavier. On the contrary, these large paws allow them to distribute pressure evenly on the ground, enabling them to take quiet and balanced steps. By the time they reach adulthood, these “giant but silent” steps make them appear like ghosts to predatory animals.
Loyalty Test: Pack or Human?
The most critical period in the development of Akbaş puppies is between 6 and 12 weeks. If they spend a lot of time with humans during this period, they will bond with humans instead of the herd and become “farm dogs” in the truest sense of the word. However, if they spend their first months with sheep, their loyalty will remain with the herd forever. For this reason, professional breeders deliberately keep puppies away from humans.
Ability to Warn Without Biting
When Akbaş puppies feel threatened, their first instinct is not to bark, but to stand still and wait. They then signal to the approaching person by broadening their shoulders. Biting is a last resort. This behavior makes them one of the most preferred guard dogs for families with children. Their ability to give controlled warnings can be observed even when they are puppies.
Observation with Patience Instead of Fear
Many dog breeds react suddenly when they feel threatened. However, Akbaş puppies wait first. They observe with their eyes and try to analyze the situation. Especially from the 4th month onwards, the tendency to “analyze the danger, don't attack” becomes clearer. This patient nature makes them indispensable for both shepherds and farmers.
Silent Training: Command-Free Compliance
Traditional dog commands are not used when training Akbaş puppies. This is because this breed learns its duties instinctively. Many puppies develop an understanding of “protect, but don't panic” based solely on observation and experience in the field. This makes them one of the rare dog breeds that respond to situations rather than words.
Their Fur Protects Against Cold, Not Contact
The double-layered white fur of Akbaş puppies does not only protect them from the cold. It also reduces their skin's sensitivity to external threats. These hairs act as a shield against goat horns, thorny plants, and insect bites. This physical advantage enables them to thrive naturally in mountainous regions.
They Have Personal Boundaries Against Scents
Some Akbaş puppies may have an extreme reaction to chemical-based shampoos used by humans. Scented products used when they are 8 weeks old can even cause temporary eating disorders in puppies. For this reason, veterinarians and breeders recommend washing them only with natural, unscented soap.
Low-Set Ears Are Not a Sign of Aggression
Akbaş puppies typically have drooping ears. This may give some people the impression that they are “passive dogs.” However, this structure allows them to hear better. Moreover, the drooping ears indicate that they have no intention of attacking foreign animals, thereby reducing tension. This behavior can even prevent conflict when encountering jackals.
Tone Recognition Instead of Learning Names
Akbaş puppies typically respond to tone rather than learning their own names. They exhibit different behaviors when the same sound is spoken with different intonations. For example, a firm “come here” command may be perceived as a warning, while the same word spoken in a soft tone signals a friendly approach. This trait demonstrates their ability to understand complex emotional intonations.
The Lonely Philosopher of the Steppe
Akbaş puppies do not play constantly like other puppies. For an Akbaş growing up in the steppe, sitting still for 30 minutes and observing their surroundings is natural behavior. This “motionless awareness” is one of the earliest signs of their characteristic observant nature. They grow up analyzing rather than playing.
Emotional Mirroring
Akbaş puppies have an unusual sensitivity to human facial expressions. They become quieter and increase eye contact when they come into contact with someone who is sad or stressed. These empathy-like behaviors show that they are rare dogs that can be used not only for protection but also for emotional support.
The Puppy That Listens to the Ground
Akbaş puppies have extremely sensitive paw pads. This sensitivity allows them to detect vibrations in the ground. By pressing their ears to the ground, these puppies can detect approaching footsteps long before humans can. This heightened awareness contributes to their ability to detect the presence of predatory animals early on.
Positioning According to Wind Direction
Even a few weeks old Akbaş puppy instinctively learns to turn its nose toward the wind while sleeping. This behavior is a strategy for detecting threats early on by smell. This positioning behavior, especially in puppies raised in open areas, keeps them constantly alert to potential attacks.
They Count the Herd with Their Eyes
Interestingly, even before they grow up, some Akbaş puppies can keep track of the number of animals in the herd. During the day, they may exhibit restless behavior when one is missing. This shows that they mentally encode not only individuals but also the overall structure of the herd.
Protection Mode That Changes According to the Environment
An Akbaş puppy automatically changes its behavior depending on the spatial structure of its surroundings. For example, it is more active and patrols in open areas, while in closed barns it prefers to be quiet and stay in a fixed position. This behavior shows that the ability to shape protection strategies according to the environment develops in puppies.
They Start Running in Their Dreams
It has been frequently observed that Akbaş puppies play with their paws and murmur in their dreams. This is not only physical but also mental preparation. Experts argue that such “active dream behavior” is more common in animals that will take on complex tasks.
Does Not Try to Lead Its Siblings
The “leadership race” commonly seen among pack dogs is rarely observed among Akbaş puppies. Each individual is focused on discovering their own independent space and role. This passive hierarchical structure enables them to work together and take on tasks within the pack without causing conflict.
Excessive Attention Can Disrupt Balance
Similar to human puppies, Akbaş puppies that are overly pampered may lose their focus on their duties. In particular, individuals that are constantly held in the arms or played with toys may experience a weakening of their protective instincts. For this reason, professional breeders try to keep their attention focused on their surroundings.
Shedding is Linked to Emotional State
Akbaş puppies can shed their fur not only seasonally but also for emotional reasons. Especially when separated from their herd or siblings, they may experience sudden and intense hair loss within a few days. This is an indication of how strong their ability to form emotional bonds is.
The First Howl Comes Silently
Akbaş puppies usually make their first “howling-like” sounds at around 7–9 weeks of age. However, this is not like the classic wolf howl. It is more like a low-pitched, inward-directed murmuring. This early vocalization is the first audible expression of their sense of belonging to the pack and nature.
A Silent Shadow on the Path to Adulthood
In conclusion, an Akbaş puppy is not just a dog, but a strategist growing up in harmony with nature. There is thought in its silence, analysis in its gaze, and duty in its stance. Its growth process is very different from that of classic domestic dogs. It grows through observation, memory, and loyalty.