| Description: The Aidi is a muscular and yet lean dog. | | | | the name Atlas Sheepdog, this was corrected in |
| The head is in good proportion to the body and | | | | 1969. This dog comes under the American Rare |
| some say it looks similar to a bear. The muzzle | | | | Breed Association. |
| tapers and it has strong jaws that have tight lips | | | | Temperament: The Aidi has lots of energy and is a |
| these match, in colour, the coat colouring. It has a | | | | very protective dog. It is powerful and will need long |
| black or brown nose; again this will match the coat. | | | | walks daily to release some of the high energies that |
| The eyes are medium in size and a dark colour with | | | | it has. This breed needs a strong minded leader that |
| dark eye rims. The ears are slightly tipped forward | | | | can be the alpha. This dog will need a job and will not |
| and hang downward at about half way up the ear, | | | | like sitting around for hours. Here we have a dog that |
| giving an alert look. The height is 21-24 inches and the | | | | needs a strong minded owner, but it is sensitive so |
| weight is 50-55 pounds. The tail is wonderfully heavily | | | | needs firm but kind training. The Aidi is a very good |
| plumed. The coat is very thick and this is weather | | | | guard and /or watchdog. They make good hunting |
| resistant, and it is course to the touch. Colours we | | | | and scent dogs. This breed is best suited to an active |
| see are black, black and white, tawny, pale red and | | | | family that has had dogs before and live in a rural or |
| white. Their life expectancy is about 12 years. | | | | semi- rural location with a love for walking, for long |
| History: The Aidi came from Morocco, specifically the | | | | periods, daily. With the correct owner, this is a docile |
| Sahara region. This breed lived and worked in the | | | | dog but always watchful. With the wrong owner, this |
| mountains of Morocco, Algeria and Libya. The dogs' | | | | dog can become very shy and or aggressive. |
| role was to protect the flock, or family, from | | | | Health issues: There are no health issues and the Aidi |
| wildcats, wolves, and other animals that could attack | | | | has good health. As with any dog it is very important |
| the flock or herds. They were used by the tribes | | | | that you make sure they are up to date on all |
| such as the Berbers and were used by staking the | | | | vaccinations, de-wormings and heart worm |
| aggressive and watchful Aidi around the flocks at | | | | preventatives. It is also suggested by the majority of |
| night to guard them. This dog has been used as a | | | | licensed veterinarians that you take your puppy or |
| protecting dog for hundreds of years and only now, | | | | dog in for a check up at least twice each year. |
| in Morocco, is the breed purity being protected. This | | | | Grooming: This dog needs little to no grooming. Living |
| dog has been a working dog but today this is more a | | | | conditions: This dog, the Aidi, is unsuitable for |
| family pet and the Moroccans have set up a club to | | | | apartment living. The dog will require acreage and |
| promote this breed. The Aidi has never been a | | | | fencing of about five feet in high. |
| sheepdog but in 1963 the standards were set under | | | | |