[4]: 33 [5] It was recognised by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2006; it is under the tutelage of the Köpek Irkları ve Kinoloji Federasyonu, the Turkish dog breed society, but is not recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

[3][6] The Akbash is a traditional breed of livestock guardian dog, used to protect flocks from predators in the rugged terrain of western Anatolia.

[1]: 7 [7]: 5 A standard was published by the Turkish Standards Institution in 2002, and in 2006 the Akbash was recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; it was added to the list of recognised native breeds and types, and the breed standard was published in the Resmi Gazete, the official government gazette.

[7]: 5 [8][9]: 8 [10] The Akbash is a flock guardian dog, providing protection from predators to shepherds and to their sheep; it does not have any herding ability.

[1]: 6 The coat may be either long or of medium length; it is always double, and is usually white, though there may be some shading towards a biscuit colour.