Aidi Dog

Origin:  Morocco
Alternative Names:  Atlas Mountain Dog, Aidi, Aiidi, Ayidi, Chien de l’Atlas, Atlas Sheepdog
WITHERS: 52-62cm
Weight: 22-26kg

The Aidi, including Atlas mountain dog or Atlas Sheepdog, is a Moroccan breed of domestic dog. It is next to only the Moroccan Sloughi dog breed that is recognized by the FCI (FCI-Group 2, Section 2, Standard No. 247).

The robust and vigorous watchdog is found in the mountains and plateaus of the Atlas as a livestock guardian dog. There he not only guards cattle but also the camp of the wandering nomads.

Their thick coat protects them against extreme weather conditions (hot days icy nights) as well as fighting with wolves. Together with the Sloughi, they are also used in hunting. They are given the task of Flushing and the Sloughi dog catches the fleeing small game.
The breeding selection by the nomads of the Atlas Mountains was held less by outward appearances, but according to the utility value of each dog for daily use and climatic conditions in the mountains.

So it is not surprising that they have a dense medium-length coat in many different shades. At a height at the withers (shoulder size) from 50cm to just over 60cm it is somewhat smaller than the shepherd dogs of the Caucasus.  The semi-drooping ears, so-called Semi-pricked ears, are relatively small and set low on the sides of their broad and strong head.