Has been exported to the U.S. since the 1970's, very good livestock guard. It is thought that they were bred selectively for white-colored guarding sheepdogs, to differentiate them from predators. A probable relative of the Komondor, Kuvasz, Tatra Mountain Sheepdog and the French Great Pyrenees. The original stock being brought into the United States is due to Americans David and Judy Nelson who studied the dogs in Turkey beginning in the 1970s. The Nelsons have imported over 40 Akbash Dogs to the United States.