If you go hiking in Turkey you'll certainly run into shepherds and their dogs. The dogs can be fierce, Turks themselves often are quite afraid. I found three ways of handling them: either point a (big) lens at them (they seem to think it's the Evil Eye) or shout loudly, or - better - bring some cake. In any small town you can buy very decent and cheap small cakes (I like the chocolate ones the best). Dogs love them. At this meeting I had spent much of my cake on the dog, before the shepherd boys arrived to warn me it was a dangerous breed. They were much impressed with my handling it, and a bit annoyed that so little cake was left. Sorry, boys.