Anatolian Shepherd Dog puppies

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Anatolian Shepherd Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened by hip and elbow evaluation of breeding stock
• Entropion, an inward rolling eyelid that irritates the cornea, found on a veterinary eye exam and corrected surgically
• Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with deep chests
• Sensitivity to anaesthesia, so the vet should be told the breed before any procedure

From Anatolian Shepherd Dog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/anatolian-shepherd-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your Anatolian Shepherd Dog puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 36.3 to 68 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other giant breeds

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