Anatolian (Kangal) Shepherd Puppies
Anatolian Sheperd which is also popularly known as the Kangal is a large-sized dog breed bred for the purpose of guarding. They are a loving and gentle breed with family but suspicious of strangers.
Anatolian Shepherd is a large-sized dog breed which makes their development and maturing process slow. Here is an article where you can know the behavior of the puppies and ways to care for them.
Newborn
The newborn Anatolian Shepherd is completely deaf, blind and toothless. They are fragile little puppies that depend completely on their mother for every activity from body heat to defecate. Since they cannot generate heat on their own, the mother keeps them warm by letting them pile up against her body. The mother licks their belly to stimulate them to poop as they cannot pee or defecate on their own.
The puppies only have their mother’s milk as their teeth are not developed and the milk is rich in antibodies which helps to protect them from any kind of serious disease.
Neonatal Stage (0-4 Weeks)
The first two weeks of the puppies are very delicate. They are dependent on their mothers and cannot do anything on their own. They need a good amount of sleep for their growth and development. Anatolian Shepherd puppies only get up for food and remaining time, they sleep. By the end of the second week, you can see them gaining double body weight and height.
Image Source: Shepherds Rest Farm
At 10-12 days, the puppies start to open their eyes but they still have a vivid vision. By the end of the second week, they start to hear sound from the surrounding. Although they cannot walk properly, you still can see them struggling and doing a wobbly walk.
Transitional Stage (4-8 Weeks)
This is a very important stage in any puppy’s life including the cute Anatolian Shepherd puppies. This is the period where they hear get familiar with the canine world. They can hear, see and sense their mother and littermates for the first time. They start to play and run with their littermates. You can see them forming their own vocabulary by barking, yelping, and whining to communicate with their mother and littermates.
You can see their teeth growing and the puppies starting to sampling solid food from their mother. The mother takes care of their behavior and teaches them manners and discipline. Between the 6th and the 8th weeks, they should be given distemper vaccination.
Socialization Stage (8-20 Weeks)
One of the important and necessary periods in puppies life is the socialization stage. This is the time when they need to get familiar with the outside world. Take them out in a park but on a leash so they do not go around running. Expose them to a variety of people and other pets, so they get along with them and do not become aggressive or timid around people.
Image Source: AKC Marketplace – American Kennel Club
The Kangal puppies weigh around 20 pounds in the 8th week. They are naughty and mischievous at this age, so a reward-based training should be started. Start with basic obedience training by rewarding them with delicious treats and lots of vocal praises to motivate them.
Your puppies should be given the vaccination for the adenovirus, DHPP, parvovirus infection and medication for heartworm between 12 to 16 weeks. Between 12 to 24 weeks, they should be given the rabies vaccination.
Juvenile Stage (5 to 10 months)
Since the Anatolian Shepherd matures slowly, it reaches the juvenile stage only in 5-10 months of age. They experienced their first heat in 9-13 months which is late compared to smaller-sized dog breeds. However, breeding and mating around the first heat are not good for the puppy’s health. Therefore, this is the time that you take care of them and avoid breeding and mating.
The Kangal gets all developed teeth and is able to eat solid puppy food during this time. They should be provided with healthy food with a good amount of exercise.
Adolescent Stage (10-16 Months)
By this time, your Anatolian Shepherd puppies have lost their puppy face and are grown into adults. They still have some mischevious and puppy behavior inside them which takes time to go. This is the perfect time where you should enroll your Anatolian Sheperd in agility.
Image Source: Marble Peaks Ranch
The rabies vaccination should be given between 12 to 24 months after a vet recommendation for the time. Provide them with required supplements and complete balanced diets. Raise them in a nice and loving environment, otherwise, they can grow up to be aggressive adults.
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