Anatolian Shepherd — Junior Care
Care recommendations — Junior stage
As a Anatolian Shepherd moves into the junior stage, keep exercise controlled and low-impact — giant breeds take up to 18-24 months to finish growing, and excess strain on developing joints now can cause problems later. Most individuals can transition toward a quality adult-maintenance diet around now, and this is also a common point to ask a vet about spay or neuter timing if it hasn't happened already. Provide a steady mix of daily walks, play sessions, and mental enrichment suited to its moderate energy level, since dogs at this age typically have energy and enthusiasm to spare, and keep up the training and grooming habits introduced as a puppy so they stay a normal, low-stress part of handling.
⚠️ Watch for
It's still uncommon at this age to see clear signs of the conditions Anatolian Shepherds are predisposed to, but it doesn't hurt to ask a vet whether early baseline screening makes sense. Keep an eye out for a bunny-hop gait, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or stiffness after resting, or front-leg lameness, a shortened stride, or reluctance to fully extend the elbow, and mention anything unusual at routine visits.
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