Welcome to the Akbash Dogs International web site. ADI represents Akbash Dogs around the world. We have a strong liaison with the Turkish Akbash Dog club www.akbas.tk and strive to coordinate Akbash Dog-related activities, policies and education for the entire world. Akbash Dogs are rare, so our universal approach seems appropriate.

ADI has its own registry, taking care of record keeping needs for Akbash Dogs. Ours is the most comprehensive registry, offering multi-generational pedigrees whenever possible. We currently have 1,377 Akbash Dogs in our registry. Our mandate is to preserve the working attributes of the Akbash Dog breed. On this site you will learn about working and companion dogs, our excellent rescue service and training ideas, but you won’t find information about conformation shows and related activities.

As you visit this site, you will learn about Akbash Dogs and the people who represent them. You will learn of the rich heritage this breed enjoys, and of the struggles a pastoral breed faces in an increasingly urbanized world. You will read about our pride and joy, the Akbash Sentinel, a quarterly news journal that is packed with photos, articles and plans for the future. Introductory material can be found this web site; the message board covers breaking news, and the Akbash Sentinel is where the in-depth coverage happens. People who are serious about livestock protection dog behavior and health ought to subscribe to the Sentinel, which at present is only available in English.

February 2012 - Spiked iron collars have been purchased for at-cost distribution to ranchers and farmers in need of such protection for their livestock protection dogs. If your LPD may come into contact with bears, wolves or cougars, and would benefit from a spiked collar, please let me know.
We have a new project under way, to compile a short "You Tube" style film clip on Akbash Dogs. If you have any VERY GOOD segments, please clip them, and send me the edited version. In the e-message, tell me who to credit, name of dog(s) and other pertinent background information. If you have lots of unedited footage in standard HD format, I don't want it. Please send less than 5 MeBytes, preferably edited and ready for use. I apologize for sounding harsh with this message, but in the past I have received hours of pet clips that were of no value for this purpose. I would prefer to show Akbash Dogs protecting sheep or other animals in attractive settings.

ADI Gathering of the Akbash Clan for 2012 We have settled on the weekend of July 13 - 15 for a Gathering in Montana. Details will follow, but now is the time for you to begin building a Rocky Mountain getaway into your schedule. The 'dead of winter' may not be a time of year when you typically think about major initiatives in an agriculture-related activity like ours. Not so! This is when ADI is planning its Gathering, reviewing policies, and generally performing the background work to keep the association running smoothly. Your role? You can take advantage of the season to frame a winning photo for our Iron Collar Photo Contest.

ADI Calendar for 2012 Please check the message board for details on how to order a 2012 Calendar of Akbash Dog photos, or, press on the link provided on the home page. The photos are wonderful, and the calendar supports our rescue effort.

If, after reading the various pages on this site, you have questions, please use the contact option on the home page, the message board to begin a dialogue, or e-mail me.

David Sims
President, ADI