Aidi or Atlas Sheepdog (English Aidi, Berber. ⴰⵢⴷⵉ, "dog") is a dual-use North African breed, used as a guardian of a herd of livestock, vigilantly guarding both sheep and goats; and like a hunting dog. Lacking speed, but possessing a strong sense of smell, the aidi is often paired with a much faster saluki that will chase prey that the aidi has detected by scent.
History of the breed
Like many ancient dog breeds, the breed's true history is shrouded in mystery. The Phoenicians, an ancient civilization centered in the coastal regions of present-day Lebanon, Syria, and northern Israel, are believed by many to be responsible for the creation of the Aidi. What is known about the Phoenicians is that between 1550 and 300 BC. e. they were the greatest traders of their time.
The Phoenicians used guided sailing ships known as galleys to become the region's main maritime and trade power for centuries after 1200 BC. The Phoenicians also bred and developed dogs.
Breeds such as the Basenji , Podenko Ibizenko , Pharaoh Hound , Cirneco del Etna , Cretan Hound, Canarian Hound, and Portuguese Podengo were developed by them for trade elsewhere, mainly with Egypt.
Others believe that the Aidi, also known as the Atlas dog, was developed in the Atlas Mountains. It is a mountain range stretching 1,500 miles across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Subsequently, the dogs migrated with the nomadic peoples or armies of the time to the Pyrenees; it is the natural border between France and Spain. They are believed to be the forerunners of the modern Pyrenean mountain dog .
The Aidi are also called the Berber dog and are known to have coexisted with the Berber nomadic tribes; the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley, which spread from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis in Egypt and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River, including the region that is present-day Morocco. We know that the Berber people used the Aidi as a protective guard dog for the family. Her job was to look after livestock and property, to protect them from predators and strangers. Aidi's role as a guard dog for livestock, primarily sheep, falsely leads to the assumption that it is a herding type of shepherd dog, although she has never worked with sheep in the herding sense.
The natives of the region describe the role of aidi as follows:
There are no shepherds in the Atlas. The dog that lives in our mountains has never guarded the herd as it is customary to do in Europe. It is a mountain dog, designed to protect the tent and property of its owners, as well as to protect livestock from wild animals that can cause damage. ”
Working with sheep has always been to protect them from jackals and other predators, using its strong sniffing ability as an early warning system to spot approaching predators before they can attack the herd. However, this is one of the slower breeds, and often these predators were given the opportunity to escape, only to return later for a new attempt to attack the flock. This is the main reason modern Aidis are often paired with fast-moving and agile Saluki to create a deadly hunting combination.
For those still living a simple, traditional lifestyle, the modern Aidi still fulfills its role as a working dog, guarding herds in the remote North African mountains. It has adapted well to use as a Moroccan police dog, although it is increasingly viewed as a pet.
Description
It is a large, muscular, well-built dog that behaves with authority. Measuring up to 62 cm at the withers, weighing up to 30 kg and centuries of experience in herd protection, aidi is a formidable opponent for any predator hunting livestock.
The thick double coat serves a dual purpose, as it provides protection not only from the heat and cold found in its native mountainous area, but also from the teeth of wolves and other predators.
The coat is 7mm in length, covering every part of the body except for the muzzle and ears, which have shorter, thinner hairs. Long hair at the tail, giving the back of the dog a fluffy appearance. The fluffiness of the tail is interpreted as a sign that the dog is purebred.
The hairs covering the neck, withers and chest are longer than on the body, which gives the aidi a pronounced mane; this feature is more common in males than in females. The color is mostly white, although sometimes the coat color can range from black, fawn, pale red, black and white, tan or brindle combinations.
The bear's head is in proportion to the heavy, muscular and well-balanced body. The skull is large and conical with a tapering muzzle that leads to well-formed large nostrils, the color of the nose being usually black or brown and matching the color of the coat.
The ears are set wide at the top of the skull, with slightly rounded tips that tend to fold or tilt forward when the dog is alert, and lie back when the dog is more relaxed. The jaws are powerful with thin, tightly compressed lips that also tend to match the color of the coat.
Medium-sized dark eyes with well-pigmented lids have a lively, alert and attentive expression.
The long bushy tail is usually carried low and curved when the dog is at rest. When alert or in motion, the tail is carried higher off the ground, but should never curl up on the dog's back.
Character
This is a naturally protective and vigilant breed, which for centuries has stood guard over its owner, his property and his herd. Aidi are known to be energetic dogs that need a job to be happy. An extremely vigilant nature means that she has a tendency to bark, raising the alarm even at the slightest disturbance. Distrustful and wary of strangers, Aidis can behave aggressively towards intruders.
The protective and territorial nature can sometimes lead to fights with other dogs if they venture into her territory. It is a dog that needs firm, kind training and a strong human leader to keep it in line.
The most important aspect of training is to maintain positive training while being careful to avoid rough handling of the dog, as they tend to be a sensitive breed that will quickly become distrustful of an overbearing owner.
Very loyal and loving dogs, they have established themselves as excellent family pets that are affectionate with children; especially if they are well socialized at an early age.
At home, they tend to be relatively inactive and calm, however they are a smart working breed that requires mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
A bored or forgotten dog can quickly turn into a destroyer. At home, they live in mountainous spaces, so they need a lot of space and they will be a poor choice for an apartment or for a small house. A farm with a large cultivated area and the ability to move around freely would be the best habitat for the aidi.
Care
Possesses a natural weather-resistant double coat consisting of a thick, dense, soft undercoat and a coarse, longer top coat. Some cleaning is required if you plan on letting them in.
Regular brushing of the coat will help distribute the natural oils, improving weather protection and keeping the coat healthy. The undercoat will fall annually, while in females this may occur twice a year.
For dogs living in warmer climates, there is a tendency to shed all year round. Grooming will require you to tolerate a lot of dog hair on furniture and carpet during shedding sessions that can last three weeks or more. You can reduce the amount by brushing and grooming them regularly during this time.
You should only bathe your dog two or three times a year to avoid washing off the weather protection coat.
Health
One of the healthiest dog breeds in the world, there are currently no known congenital health problems associated with this breed.