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]: 7 It is a large and powerful dog:[11]: 406 mean body weight is approximately 45 kg (99 lb), and mean height at the withers just over 75 kg (165 lb).[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.[12]: 70 [11]: 406 As with other white-coated flock guardian dogs, the white coat makes it easy for the shepherd to distinguish between the dog and a predator, even in the dark.[11]: 406 There is considerable feathering behind the legs, and the tail is heavily feathered.[12]: 70
^[s.n.] (2002). Akbaş Turk Coban Kopegi Standardi, TS 12891(=Turkish Akbash Shepherd Dog Standard, number 12891). Turk Standartlari Enstitusu/Turkish Standards Institution. Ankara: TSE Matbaasi.
^Seyrani Koncagül, Canan Demiralp, Nermin Aksümer, A. Oya Akın, Mehmet Ertuğrul (2012). Domestic Animal Genetic Resources in Turkey. General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy, Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock, Republic of Turkey. Published as: Animal Genetic Resources/Ressources Génétiques Animales/Recursos Genéticos Animales. 50 (111–11). doi:10.1017/S2078633612000240. Archived 29 May 2012.