The story of a new Anatolian Shepherd Dog and his owners who had never before had or raised an ASD... and all the fun we had (a whole lot different than any other dog we've had) and we wouldn't trade it for the world. We owned German Shepherd Dogs for years and years, and they had hip issues and back issues. And when we put down our 9 year old GSD, Hawk, who had had degenerative nerve disease, we thought that we had to get a dog that was not going to have these same issues. So we watched the Westminster Kennel Club show on TV in 2003. Marilyn Harned said we saw her dog. But we loved that dog, just from the few moments we saw the breed on TV. We researched the breed and the more we thought about it, we decided this was a breed for us. We live on a 10-acre corn farm and we're not too fussy about any holes a dog might dig in the year (and that's a good thing as it turns out). But it took our friends, Wendy and Woody (now you know where the name WenWood came from) to locate Ann Collins in Catskill, NY. And the rest is, well, for Aladdin, history!

You can call me... Aladdin

My name is Caatskill's WenWood Aladdin. I am an Anatolian Shepherd Dog. And I am cool. Way cool!

From my breed standard: "In the case of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, as far back in time as one wishes to trace, the same characteristcs were important. The dog had to be large enough and strong enough to handle predators of all sizes and degrees of aggressiveness. He had to be protective and of a calm demeanor to coexist with the flocks he attended." (Richard Beauchamp, Kennel Club Books: Anatolian Shepherd Dog, ISBN: 1-59378-347-7 ©2003)

My name is Aladdin and I am one of the Anatolian Shepherds of Caatskill. I am not a working dog in the sense that for 2000 years my ancestors were flock guardians in Turkey. But some of my cousins and even a couple of my brothers and sisters are tending flocks of llamas and goats and sheep. No, I'm just a pet. I live on a vegetable farm in Cheshire Connecticut - which is fun and all. But watching corn grow is a lot like watching paint dry. It's basically boring!

"HEY! I'm really a pretty mellow kind of guy!"

Let me tell you what my ancestors used to do and do to this day. In Turkey, a shepherd would take a dog like myself out to the field and we would walk a perimeter that might be several acres. The shepherd would show the dog where he wanted the sheep or goats to be. The Anatolian dog would understand that the herd was not to go outside of this boundary. The shepherd would then leave the dog alone with some 200 animals and go off for a couple of weeks. During that time, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog would watch the sheep 24/7, keep the animals within the assigned area, find small game or birds to eat, defend the flock from preditors during the day and at night. My ancestors had to be calm so as not to disturb the flocks, fierce enough to keep away wolves, smart enough to feed themselves (if they dared to eat a sheep or lamb, the shepherd would shoot the dog). The shepherd would return and bring the dog and the herd to a new grazing area, again mark out the territory to the dog, and then leave for another couple of weeks. This pattern repeated for centuries. As a result I am a powerfully intelligent dog. I am keenly observant of my environment. I am fiercely independent and headstrong. I am also a dog that needs a role or a job or a function. Without this, I can and will be destructive to property (I'll eat a door out of boredom or eat all of your shoes or take your couch apart). My sister Leyla is particularly fond of area rugs and chair legs.

This is a photo of me (in the middle) at my Obedience Class at the Cheshire Park & Recreation with Bruce Giannetti, a trainer with over 50 years of experience (Bruce is seated in the photo and has Aladdin's lead). I love Obedience Class. It's a big social time for me and I have a lot of friends!

My owners figured out right away that Obedience Class would be my "job" and I go to school every Monday night at the Cheshire Parks & Rec. I've done this since I was three months old. Click Here for my article about Obedience Class and how well I do - when I feel like it

I'm two years old in this picture. And I'm really handsome!

I also go to the Cheshire Linear Park a few times a week. I walk with my owners and we meet and greet many people and dogs. Actually, anywhere that my owners can take me, they do. And if we go to a place that does not let dogs in to their building, one of my owners will walk me around outside while the other owner shops or does whatever. I have never in my whole life been left alone in a parked car.

I know at every moment that I am a part of my family. I'm sleeping with Dave's Dad. Domenic is kind of my Grandpa.

Here I am on the couch with my Grandpa, Domenic. He said, do you know that Aladdin likes to watch TV? And this was a cute story from when I was a puppy and lived with Ann Collins in Catskill NY: Ann was watching the movie, Sea Biscuit, and she turned to see all the puppies in the kennel behind her lined up to watch the movie as well. I'm partial to dog shows myself. I'll drop everything to watch a dog show!

And this is probably the most important thing for me.

Here I am with my cousin, Grace, who is two days older than I am.

at the Pet Expo

Yes I do like kids but this is a bit much, don't you think? But this is my cousin Erin. She's not that much older than I am.

I'm a pretty quiet dog overall. I basically watch things from the sidelines. But I really need to be part of the family. If you think I'm going to sit in another room away from my family (which becomes my flock, really), think again. You'll give me a nervous breakdown! I have to be where I can see you and be part of the scene. I'm really not one of those yippie dogs that have to be in your face, but I do need to be in your company. That's what I like the best. I'm hardwired to serve and protect. I do this quietly and I do it with you in my range of sight.

Not that I'm all work and no play! By no means! I like to get out in my yard (and I'm lucky to have a big fenced in back yard) and I like to run - I mean really, really stretch my legs and fly like the wind. I like to dig. That's just about the best thing in the world. So my owners made a big sand pile for me and I can dig that pile to my hearts content. And I love to prune shrubs and small trees. I can easily bite off branches that are almost 1" in diameter. But mostly I like to lie quietly and watch. At night, I'm a very, very light sleeper. Let me tell you! If there is any unusual noise in the night, I'm on top of it. I've got a deep booming bark and I'll blast any intruder away with just my bark. One of my owners knows I'm on the job and she just sleeps through my barking. My other owner has to get up and check things out. He doesn't seem to understand that I'm just doing my job. If I need him, I'll get him. But I'm pretty confident I can handle anything that might go bump in the night.

OK, I'm on the couch and I'm trying to sleep. OK, I see you. OK I'm really paying attention now... OK?

Do you want an Anatolian Shepherd Dog? Remember, I'm no trophy dog. I'm much too smart. You have to ask yourself if you want a new kind of life style, really. I'm not demanding but I am actually. I don't intend to be the center of the world, but I end up doing just that. I just want to be with you and I want you to consider me your equal, your partner, and your best friend. I'm right there with you all the time. I'll change everything you thought you knew about dogs. Even though I don't mean for you to do this, most of the time you will just be awestruck by what I do. Am I amazing? Yes, I guess I am. But that just sort of happens.

September 2005 - Aladdin is almost two years old...

I'm doing a good Down at Obedience Class - my FAVORITE command!

WHAT MY OWNER SAYS... Aladdin is probably the smartest and most intuitive dog I have ever seen. And having said that, Aladdin is also stubborn and independent. I remember having German shepherds who, at two years old, followed me off lead, sat quietly in the unfenced yard, and basically believed that I was center of the universe. This is not the case with an Anatolian Shepherd Dog. I get the sense that I really partner with this dog. We cooperate on things. I give him time to understand why I do certain things, make certain decisions. I try to be as consistent as possible. I try to handle all things in a positive manner. And I give him as much respect as I possibly can. He's a thinking dog. He reasons things out. I want him to always feel comfortable doing that. When I see the result of some activity of his I first wonder why? In most cases I inadvertantly provided the opportunity for his agile mind to take the next step. Particularly with food. Consider a breed of dog that basically fed itself for over 2000 years. If I leave food on a counter or a table, this dog sees an opportunity. Many times as I see some select morsel being swept away by an extended tongue I think to myself, Bravo! You caught me again. And I make a mental note to be more careful in future. I can open a can or ziplock bag in another room as quietly as possible. Within seconds, my dog is in the room. That's one very acute sense of smell or sound or maybe it's a special ESP he has!

We have really worked to socialize and train Aladdin. We try to take him everywhere. Aladdin goes to the chiropractor every Saturday morning. We go to the Hines Ace Hardware. We go to Meriden Feed and Grain. We go to Carmody Farm Market, our neighbors, two and three times a day. We go to Park & Recreation for Obedience class just about every Monday night. We take the ride up to Catskill NY to visit Ann Collins. If dogs are allowed, Aladdin goes. And wherever he goes, he is expected to behave, to sit, to down, to be friendly and amiable.

Here are photos of when I went to Meriden Feed and Grain and I was helping myself to the "Cookie Buffet" - which I know I'm not exactly supposed to do but my sister Leyla started it. This is why I LOVE Meriden Feed and Grain - of course, they have my food there as well but a little dessert never hurt anyone! And I think I'm am a bit more subtle than my sister...

Meriden Feed & Supply located at 846 Old Colony Road, Meriden, CT (telephone: 203-237-4414) - A great place to shop for your dog!

What Aladdin's Owners Say: Now at two years old and officially "a dog" and not a puppy, Aladdin is just coming into his own. He's just figuring out that he is this big wonderful dog. He is figuring out that he doesn't have to fear anything. He's really confident. When he walks, he has a charming swagger. He's turned into an extremely good watchdog. He knows what is appropriate in the house and if he hears an unusual noise he makes a huge bark. Aladdin doesn't need to keep us in his sight but he has the layout of the house pretty well figured out and he is always between us and the doorway. He could be a powerful opponent.

Aladdin with niece Color Me Blue. You can see Miss Blue with a dress.

And Aladdin is always thinking. He's always testing his limits. It's as if he is saying, so, you think I'm just a dog. I'll show you. But I don't think this is a test of wills. I think this is a dog that thinks and reasons. He's showing off, really. Which isn't to say he isn't just as happy to flop on his back and roll a bit in the grass or dig a great hole in the yard. Or as the sun comes up - and his watchdog shift is over - he'll jump on the bed and curl up next to us, asleep in minutes, and we all wake up in a big pile when the sun is a bit higher.

When I leave for work and Aladdin stays home with Grandpa Dom and Dave, I'll see him standing in the window, watching me back my car out of the yard. Aladdin watches me intently. And I know what he's thinking - if you are not home I can not take care of you. But coming home is such a joy, such a reunion. And Aladdin doesn't let me out of his sight.

Sometimes I wonder if my dog loves me more than I love my dog. But could that be possible?

WHAT THE BREEDER SAID: Ann Collins was very specific when she warned us about Anatolian Shepherds. And every word she said was true.

• This is not a dog that will ever be off lead. We'd had German Shepherds and took it for granted that as we walked along our property that our German Shepherds would just walk along with us. Not so with the Anatolian Shepherd. Aladdin will likely never be off lead on a walk. Aladdin would most likely take off and not come back for a few days or weeks - not his fault, just his breed.
• This dog needs a six foot (preferably opaque) fence. We started with a four foot fence. We went to a five foot. Now we are at six foot. When you see how agile these dogs are you realize that from a standing position, this dog can suddenly and effortlessly launch itself into the air and just be gone. Most remarkable is the dog's ability to leap (again from a standing/stationary position) and PIVOT in the air.
• This dog must be introduced to people as they come into the home. The Anatolian Shepherd takes his cue from you regarding behavior to a new arrival to your home. We actually walk the dog up to a visitor and INTRODUCE the dog to the visitor. "Aladdin, this is our friend Mr. So-And-So."
• This dog must go to Obedience Class. It has made a world of difference for us to be able to have Aladdin understand how to sit, down, heel, and stay. We work diligently on the recall, but he'll do it when he feels like it. Training has to be a HAPPY experience. Use bait. Keep your voice upbeat and happy. Aladdin gets very excited when it is a night to go to school. He is very excited to be in the training ring. He is praised highly during and after obedience class. It is a great experience for him and he responds proudly to commands. It is his accomplishment.
• This is a dog that will do what he wants to do. So you have to learn to encourage good behavior. Punishing tactics such as rubbing his nose in something or screaming at him or trying to "break his will" just don't work. And please, please, please never ever hit or lay a hand on this dog. These kinds of behavior on your part will just create more and more complex problems for you and your Anatolian. What works is making experiences happy and creative for the dog. He will partner with you 150%. If you try to dominate him or punish him, you're going to rip him apart emotionally and he will shut you out and shut you down.

More From My Photo Album

First I Was Born on October 15, 2003 - I know, I really can't even see and I'm just adorable!

YES! This is me at two weeks! Ain't I something!

Here's my Mum - C.I.D. and my Dad - Sabastian - both champions, of course!

I know - I was just as cute as could be!! And I still very, very handsome. Just a lucky guy, I guess!

I am two months old. I've already got a candidate owner (Dave) and we're getting along pretty well. Ann Collins worked out all the details for me. She told Dave that I would need a big crate and I would need to be enrolled in Obedience Class. She said I would only eat Canadae Food and supplements from Nature's Farmacy. She gave Dave a good sized list of do's and don'ts and Ann was right about all of them! This is the day I left Ann Collins and my family at "Anatolian Shepherds of Caatskill" and moved to my new home. It's worked out okay. I got them trained pretty darn fast!

Wasn't I just the cutest little guy?

I basically put on about 10 pounds every month. This chart might help you understand my rapid weight gain. My breeder puts all of her dogs on a special diet of Canadae Dog Food and Natures Farmacy supplements. I need all this good nutrition because I went from 0 to 100 pounds in my first 12 months.

ONE YEAR - ONE HUNDRED POUNDS!

It is a lot of fun to go and buy my food. I get to go for a car ride and we go to Meriden Feed & Supply located at 846 Old Colony Road, Meriden, CT (telephone: 203-237-4414). I love Meriden Feed & Supply! They stock my Canadae food and this is just the best place! I get to walk right in and check out the fish swimming in the pool by the door. I say hello to their cat (who doesn't like me but I like her just fine - and she'll come around). I sniff all the toys and all the other bags of food. But the best is when we check out at the register! All the people are very nice to me and they like to watch me sit or do a good down and then they give me a treat. I used to think this was the buffet at the store because they have a lot of nice cookies and treats just for me but my owners have been discouraging that kind of behavior on my part. I manage to fool them every once in a while by sliding my tongue out to the side and grabbing a cookie that way. I think they don't see this.

I have arrived to my new home - and I approve.

Let me tell you - the fencing at my house got a lot more sophisticated as I got older! None of this flimsy picket fence stuff any more!!! And that Lilac Tree I'm chewing on. I don't know if there is much of it left now. Lilac tastes really really good.

I helped dig this hole. I won't lie. This is a 7 foot deep hole!

Hanging out with Miss Blue, Aladdin's niece

When Aladdin was very young, many things would stress him. One trip to the Vet was a nightmare for him and he quickly associated the car with the Vet - even though we were taking him everywhere "bye-bye car". But for an Anatolian Shepherd, if you took him in the car to the Vet and the Vet gave him a shot and it scared him, then every car ride has potential to be negative. So we did two things. Every Saturday we would put Aladdin in the car and, along with all our other Saturday errands, we took him to the Vet and weighed him. Every couple of weeks, we'd get a weight on a weekday evening. If we went to the Vet and more than a weight was involved, we went from the Vet to Subway or Arby's and we'd get Aladdin a Roast Beef Sandwich Hold The Bread. The Vet and the car ride are not any concern to Aladdin now.

Aladdin and Leyla at a show.

Click Here for my article about Obedience Class and how well I do - when I feel like it

Click Here to see me and my sister Leyla on our Second Birthday and all our family

Click Here to see Dogs in Dresses - and other silly things my owner paints and draws.

Contact Anatolian Shepherd Dog Breeder Ann S. Collins
Telephone: (518) 943-6942
E-mail: collinsa@surferz.net: SEND E-MAIL

Learn More About Ann Collins Anatolians

Diane Calabro Home Page (I am the human that belongs to Aladdin)