Turkish Toht (Spiked Collar) on Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Tarik here is modeling the Turkish toht we brought home from Turkey last month. In Turkey, this spiked collar is earned by the shepherd dogs when they kill a wolf during their flock guardian duties. Although the toht fits Tarik more like a necklace, in actuality, it should fit more snugly higher up on the neck.

Important warning: Tohts are dangerous to photographers! Luckily I'm up-to-date on my tetanus shot! I DO feel sorry for the predators who encounter any ASD wearing a spiked collar!

Tarik is a magnificent goat guardian, a good puppy trainer, and a very big boy who would still try to crawl in your lap if you happened to sit on the ground in his pasture! Tarik loves kids and hates other intact males! He will turn two years old in February. His sire is Ballester's Rahman "Red" from Florida, and his dam is Sirin from here at Shepherds Rest. Like Koda below, Tarik was rated as breeding quality in a Pat Hastings puppy evaluation at 8 weeks of age. We plan to use Tarik in our breeding program. We look forward to the results of his hip and elbow x-rays and his thyroid testing that will be completed when he turns two.

I guess the photo shoot and the novelty of having a heavy piece of equipment hanging from his neck was a bit too much for him. Time to take it off and let him restore his dignity. Although supposedly the dogs in Turkey all know what the toht is, I'd be interested in hearing more from the shepherds about what the dogs' reactions are when the toht is first fastened to the dogs, and whether the toht is removed for part of each day.