Aïdi
Temperament:
The Aïdi is a rather unknown dog breed that originated in the mountains of Morocco. It is also called Atlas Mountain Dog or Atlas Sheepdog and is mostly used, as the name might suggest, as a herding and guard dog. In the close family circle he feels very comfortable and takes his task as a guard dog seriously.
Characteristics
The North African Aïdi is recognized by the FCI and belongs to group 2.
Its colors are varied and range from light to dark dun, which can also be brindle, to a wide variety of browns and black, which can have a gift.
While the Aïdi often reacts reserved and even disinterested to strangers, he shows his family all the more affection and love for it.
He needs a lot of social contact and attention, wants to be kept busy and challenged, and to have freedom and exercise his innate independence.
Especially outside in the garden he feels well and retrieves with much joy, as an apartment dog he will not be happy. Due to his high intelligence, agility training is also a useful leisure activity.
In addition to extensive activity, an Aïdi needs above all a patient, calm and dog-experienced person who leads him resolutely.
In case of danger, the robust herding dog reacts quickly and fearlessly, at the same time keeping a cool head and always keeping an attentive eye on his surroundings.
Extreme weather conditions also do not bother him, his coat is dense and warming and protects him from cold, heat, wind and rain
Although the Aïdi can develop a great deal of devotion to his people, he is not a classic family dog. Especially his relationship with children varies greatly and can depend on the nature of the individual dog and his upbringing.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Atlas Mountain Dog, unlike many heavily bred dogs, is very strong and quite undemanding in the choice of food. Also hereditary or typical diseases are not known, so the choice of food can be made depending on the taste of your dog.
It is important here, of course, to pay attention to a high meat content and few additives in the feed.
Treats are also available in all varieties, the healthy option here is freeze-dried meat. However, even healthy snacks should be fed only in moderation, for example, during training.
Aïdi care
In the care, the bear-like dog is very uncomplicated and easy to care for. Its short, dense coat should be brushed from time to time, but it absorbs dirt and water only very poorly or not at all and thus keeps itself clean.
Since he is hardly prone to diseases, his owner does not need to pay special attention to care and can safely make the world in any weather.
Suitable accessories
Important for the Aïdi is suitable harness for walking: If a leash is required, a very long leash should be used so that the active dog can still freely and independently explore its environment.
He would also enjoy agility toys that would keep him busy and exhausted not only physically, but also in his mind.
A Frisbee or a ball can be a good purchase, but a stick from the forest will also do. The important thing is that you can throw the object far and it is easy for the dog to carry.
Origin & History
Centuries ago, the Aïdi was used as a herding dog in the mountains of North Africa and was valued for its high alertness and reliability. Especially in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, its namesake, the guard dog was and is kept.
Unfortunately, its exact origin cannot be determined, but it is suspected that it is related to the European mountain dogs.
The race of the Aïdi developed without the influence of man through natural adaptation and change.
Contrary to the importance of the herding dog in Europe, the Aïdi was not commissioned to protect and rein in herds of animals, but rather to guard the belongings of shepherds and nomads in the mountains and protect them from predators.
His name is Berber and simply means "dog".
