Anatolian Karabash pups born in New Zealand

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 6

Anatolian Karabash pups born in New Zealand

PA Auckland The superstitious may call 13 an unlucky number, but Ms Sandy Denize says she does not believe a word- of it Her 13 Anatolian Karabash pups, thought to be iiie first of their breed born in New Zealand, are worth $2OOO each, and she says, “They are gorgeous.” The breed originated in Turkey about 2000 years ago and is just starting to reach this country. Ms Denize says the New Zealand population of the dogs must have doubled with the birth of her pups. Ms Denize, the proprietor of a dairy farm and horse trekking busi-

ness near Mangawhai, in Northland, imported the pups’ pregnant mother, Sofl, from Britain. Soft's immigration cost “all of $7OOO, but you don’t get many opportunities to get a dog in pup like that” Soft was expected to have between six and 10 pups, so Ms Denize watched with amazement and delight when she gave birth to 13 on her owner’s waterbed. “After six there was a gap, and I thought that was it, but then a few more popped out She started about two o’clock one morning, and didn’t finish until seven o’clock that night” Pup number 13 had a rough introduction to the

world. “He didn’t start breathing for about two minutes. Soft was licking his rib-, cage to try to get him. going, and I was flinging him round by his back legs.” The pups will soon be exercising with a herd of goats to get them used to working with animals. Their main strength is as guard dogs, because they have a strong protective instinct, good hearing and eyesight and can walk among animals without alarming them. “Someone phoned up the other day wanting one to guard their llamas, but most people are buying them to guard goats,” said Ms Denize.