The designation Anatolian Mastiff reflects the breed's mastiff-type heritage and massive, powerful build, though this name is not officially recognized by major kennel clubs. The breed is formally registered as the Anatolian Shepherd Dog by the American Kennel Club and most international registries, but many people use the Anatolian Mastiff name to emphasize the dog's size, power, and mastiff ancestry. This informal designation helps distinguish these impressive Turkish guardians from other shepherd breeds that are typically smaller and less imposing.
The breed's mastiff characteristics are evident in its substantial bone structure, massive head, powerful jaws, and protective nature. These traits link the Anatolian to ancient mastiff-type dogs that traveled with nomadic peoples from Central Asia thousands of years ago. The breed represents a blend of these large mastiff types with lighter, more agile sight hound breeds from southern regions, creating dogs with both power and athleticism. This combination makes them more versatile than many pure mastiff breeds while maintaining the protective guardian temperament.
In Turkey, these dogs have never been known by either the Anatolian Shepherd or Anatolian Mastiff designations. Instead, Turkish shepherds recognize several regional varieties including the Kangal, Karabash (black head), and Akbash (white head), each named for coloring patterns or geographic origin. The Coban Kopegi, meaning simply shepherd's dog, serves as a generic term for all Turkish livestock guardian dogs regardless of regional variation or specific coloring. These traditional Turkish names reflect the dogs' functional purpose rather than breed club standards or formal registry requirements.
The relationship between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Turkish Kangal remains a subject of ongoing debate within the dog fancy. Turkish authorities and the Kangal Dog Club of America maintain that the Kangal is a distinct, separate breed from other Turkish guardian dogs and should not be grouped under the Anatolian Shepherd designation. They argue that true Kangals from the Sivas-Kangal region possess specific characteristics that distinguish them from generic Anatolian shepherd dogs. This controversy has led to export restrictions from Turkey and complex questions about breed purity and classification.
Internationally, most dogs of this type are registered simply as Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, though individual owners may prefer terms like Anatolian Mastiff that better convey the breed's impressive size and mastiff characteristics. These naming variations reflect different perspectives on the same dogs, whether emphasizing their shepherding function, mastiff heritage, geographic origins, or Turkish cultural connections. Regardless of the name used, these dogs remain fundamentally ancient livestock guardians shaped by thousands of years of natural selection in harsh Anatolian conditions.

