Hello r/ Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, meet Ollie, my very first Anatolian/Pyrenees, except he looks much more like an Anatolian. He came from a very bad place. He wasn’t treated well and I can’t guarantee his genetic health or linage. He was never touched by humans, infested with fleas and ticks, no shots, and eating garbage when I adopted him at 10 weeks old.

He’s supposedly Pyrenees and Anatolian. He looks and behaves accordingly, but looks much more Anatolian. His litter mates are a great mix of both breeds with no current issues.

So, the gross part, he has anal gland problems. Tomorrow is his third or fourth vet appointment for it. I honestly can’t keep track anymore. (Just for the record, I reported his breeders a week after I bought him. He was the last one, I couldn’t just leave him. I adore him). Anyway, he has had two infections, constant cleaning, rounds of antibiotics, etc etc. My vet says he’s sees this much more often in little dogs, and Ollie’s anatomy suggests a smaller dog but in a larger dogs body. Is this an issue of bad breeding? Please don’t be afraid to be honest, he’s not going anywhere, I adore him. Has anyone had anal glands removed? How bad is the recovery? If it’s minor would it help him? If it’s not so minor are regular vet appointments less upsetting?