# Aidi

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Dog breed

This article is about the dog breed. For other uses, see [Aidi (disambiguation)](/source/Aidi_(disambiguation)).

Dog breed

Aidi Tricolour Aidi Other names Aïdi Atlas Mountain Dog Atlas Shepherd Dog Berber Dog Origin Morocco Traits Height 52–62 cm (20–24 in) Weight 25 kg (55 lb) Coat Thick, medium-length Color Black, brown, brindle, cream or cream sable, or red or red sable, all with or without black mask or any amount of white Kennel club standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard Dog (domestic dog)

The **Aidi** is a [dog](/source/Dog) [breed](/source/List_of_dog_breeds) native to the [Atlas Mountains](/source/Atlas_Mountains) of North Africa and is used as a [livestock guardian](/source/Livestock_guardian_dog), protecting herds of [sheep](/source/Sheep) and [goats](/source/Goat).[1] It is most commonly found in [Morocco](/source/Morocco), which holds the standard under the [Fédération Cynologique Internationale](/source/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Cynologique_Internationale).[2][3][4] The Aidi is also found in [Algeria](/source/Algeria), [Tunisia](/source/Tunisia) and [Libya](/source/Libya).[5][6] It possesses hunting capabilities and good scenting ability. In [Morocco](/source/Morocco), it is often paired in hunting with the [Sloughi](/source/Sloughi), which chases down prey that the Aidi has located by scent.[7]

## History

Female Aidi in a [dog show](/source/Dog_show)

The Aidi is a breed native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa.[8] Despite being initially referred to as the Atlas Sheepdog in the 1963 standard, the Aidi has never been used as a [sheepdog](/source/Sheep_dog), and this misnomer was corrected in 1969. Known for its courage, the Aidi has traditionally lived and worked in the Atlas Mountains, providing protection to its owner and property against wildcats, predators, and strangers.[9]

The breed has also been referred to as the Berber, named after the [Berber](/source/Berbers) tribes who utilized the dog. The Aidi shares some ancestral resemblance with the [pariah dog](/source/Pye-dog). In the past, it played a vital role as a protector for desert nomad tribes, with the most alert and aggressive dogs stationed around the camp perimeter at night. Historically, the Aidi has not received the same level of admiration from the tribes as breeds like the Sloughi, which are considered noble. However, a club has recently been formed in Morocco to preserve the breed's purity due to its significant contributions as a protector, hunter, [police dog](/source/Police_dog), and companion.[10]

Head of the Aidi

Head of the Aidi

While the Aidi has primarily been used as a working dog, it has also gained popularity as a household pet in urban areas. When given sufficient tasks and exercise, the Aidi can adapt well to an urban environment and make a content and fulfilled companion.[11]

In terms of color and flock-guarding abilities, the Aidi shares many characteristics with other livestock guardian dog breeds.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Appearance

Standing 52–62 cm (20–24 in) in height and weighing around 25 kg (55 lb), the Aidi's lean, muscular body is protected by a coarse, thick, weather-resistant coat with a heavy plumed tail. The coat is heavy and soft. The head is [bear](/source/Bear)-like and in proportion to the rest of the body. The breed has a tapered [muzzle](/source/Muzzle_(animal)) with a black or brown nose that usually matches the coat. Their jaws are strong with tight black or brown lips. The medium-sized ears are tipped forward and drop slightly. The eyes are medium, with a dark color and dark rims. [Coat](/source/Coat_(dog)) colours are white, black, black and white, pale red, and tawny.[12][9] In some regions of Morocco, the ears are [cropped](/source/Cropping_(animal)) and the tail is [docked](/source/Docking_(dog)).[3][13]

## See also

- [Dogs portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Dogs)

- [List of dog breeds](/source/List_of_dog_breeds)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Aidi Breed Information: History, Health, Pictures, and more"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180619074814/http://easypetmd.com/doginfo/aidi). *easypetmd.com*. Archived from [the original](http://easypetmd.com/doginfo/aidi) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Aïdi, le chien de l'Atlas: une race 100% nationale méconnue des Marocains"](https://fr.le360.ma/lifestyle/aidi-le-chien-de-latlas-une-race-100-nationale-meconnue-des-marocains-162677). *Le360.ma*. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_3-1) ["AÏDI (CHIEN DE MONTAGNE DE L'ATLAS)"](http://www.fci.be/fr/nomenclature/CHIEN-DE-MONTAGNE-DE-L-ATLAS-AIDI-247.html). *Fédération Cynologique Internationale*. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Breed Standards : Atlas Mountain Dog"](https://www.ukcdogs.com/atlas-mountain-dog). *United Kennel Club*. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_5-0)** ["Aïdi : caractère & éducation, santé & entretien, prix..."](https://www.chien.com/races-de-chiens/aidi-chien-berger-atlas-153.php) *Chien.com* (in French). Retrieved 24 February 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Espérandieu, G.; Coppé, G.; E. B; Chaker, S. (1 February 1994). ["Chien"](https://journals.openedition.org/encyclopedieberbere/2236#tocto1n5). *Encyclopédie berbère* (in French) (13): 1919–1924. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4000/encyclopedieberbere.2236](https://doi.org/10.4000%2Fencyclopedieberbere.2236). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1015-7344](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1015-7344).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Fogle, Bruce. *The New Encyclopedia of the Dog.* London: Doring Kindersley, 2003. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7894-6130-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7894-6130-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Breed Standards : Atlas Mountain Dog | United Kennel Club (UKC)"](https://www.ukcdogs.com/atlas-mountain-dog). *www.ukcdogs.com*. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Grandjean,_Dominique_DVM_2005_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Grandjean,_Dominique_DVM_2005_9-1) Grandjean, Dominique DVM. *The Royal Canin Dog Encyclopedia.* Paris, France; Aniwa Publishing, 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Hall, Sian. *Dogs of Africa.* Loveland, CO: Alpine Blue Ribbon Books, 2003. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57779-039-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57779-039-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** De Prisco, Andrew and Johnson, James B. *The Mini-Atlas of Dog Breeds.* Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications, 1990. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-86622-091-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86622-091-7)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** American Rare Breed Association Aidi Standard [https://web.archive.org/web/20080310042147/http://www.arba.org/AidiBS.htm](https://web.archive.org/web/20080310042147/http://www.arba.org/AidiBS.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Alderton, David; Morgan, Tracy (1 June 2002). *Dogs: Smithsonian Handbooks* (Revised ed.). Dk Pub. p. 30. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7894-8981-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7894-8981-3).

## Further reading

- Hancock, David (31 August 2014). *Dogs of the Shepherds: A Review of the Pastoral Breeds*. Crowood. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84797-809-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84797-809-7).

- Kojima, Toyoharu (28 August 2005). [*Legacy of the Dog: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide*](https://archive.org/details/legacyofdogultim02edkoji) (Revised and Updated, 2nd ed.). Chronicle Books LLC. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8118-5113-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8118-5113-3).

## External links

v t e Livestock guardian dogs Afghan Shepherd Aidi Akbash Aksaray Malaklisi Appenzeller Mountain Dog Armenian Gampr dog Assyrian Mastiff † Bakharwal dog Bernese Mountain Dog Bucovina Shepherd Dog Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound Cão de Gado Transmontano Carpathian Shepherd Dog Castro Laboreiro Dog Caucasian Shepherd Dog Central Asian Shepherd Dog Entlebucher Mountain Dog Estrela Mountain Dog Gaddi Kutta Georgian Shepherd Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greek Shepherd Gurdbasar Himalayan Sheepdog Hovawart Kangal Shepherd Dog Karakachan dog Kars Karst Shepherd Komondor Koyun dog Kurdish Mastiff Kuvasz Landseer † Leonberger Macedonian Karaman Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog Moscow Watchdog † Mucuchies Newfoundland † Perro de Pastor Mallorquin Perro Majorero Pshdar dog Pyrenean Mastiff Pyrenean Mountain Dog Rafeiro do Alentejo Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog St Bernard † Sarabi dog Sardinian Shepherd Dog Šarplaninac Slovensky Cuvac Spanish Mastiff South Russian Ovcharka Tatra Shepherd Dog Tibetan Kyi Apso Tibetan Mastiff Tornjak Vikhan † = Descended from and closely related to livestock guardian dogs, but traditionally used in other roles

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