akbash dogs? pros? cons?

Thinking about an akbash dog. Does anyone have one or know some one that does? what kind of environment and pros and cons for them?

They are a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) breed, and therefore can be a little headstrong. Akbash Dogs are not for everyone. Their attributes include a strong protective instinct, loyalty to owner, intelligence, good health, and striking beauty. In the right settings, they will protect livestock or children, farm or home. On the other hand, they shed copious amounts of fur, wander if given a chance, and compete with back hoes as excavators. The most serious draw-back (which is also their strength) is behavioral. Akbash Dogs have been selected for millenia to act independently. They protect their property and charges without commands from people. Therefore, if they don't respect the people they live with, or have reason to believe the children in their family (translate family = pack) might be in danger, Akbash Dogs may bite. Any dog that will weigh over 100 pounds at maturity is likely to present behavioral problems to those who don't know how to raise and train a dog, maintaining firm discipline. This is true of all breeds, just amplified in protection breeds. The bottom line is, you've got to know what you are doing when you select a livestock protection breed for your home. For starters, do you have a large, well-fenced yard for a big dog to exercise in? Do you know how to recognize early dominance displays, prior to outright aggression? If not, then you either need some thorough doggie education, or should consider another breed of dog.http://www.whitelands.com/akbash/main.cfm for lots of info on the Akbash.http://www.whitelands.com/akbash/sub.cfm?source=pets for more information on whether it would be the right breed for you.