Playful, friendly, and energetic, Aidi dogs are the companions you never knew you needed. This beautiful dog breed originated in North Africa. They worked as protective guard dogs of desert nomad tribes and livestock. Although the Aidi was primarily a working dog, they are now also common as house pets.
Otherwise known as the “Atlas Shepherd dog”, many believe Aidi dogs once worked in the Atlas Mountains. Also known as a “Berber dog”, Berber tribes from North Africa used the Aidi dogs as watchdogs. These dogs are well recognized for their bear-like heads, playfulness, and intelligence. They are also particularly protective, promptly alerting owners about predators and strangers.
If you’ve been considering getting an Aidi dog as a pet in your home, then you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about the Aidi dog and how to raise one with less stress. I’ll review everything from common health conditions and lifespan to diet and exercise recommendations. But first, let’s go over their common physical characteristics, starting with size.
How Big Do Aidi Dogs Get?
Size should be a factor you assess before buying an Aidi dog, especially if the Aidi will be in a house full of kids.
Generally, Aidi dogs typically weigh between 50 and 55 lbs and grow to heights of 20 to 24 inches with a lean body and a bear-like head. However, apart from its size, there are other things to know about this rare dog breed.
Appearance
For an African dog breed, the Aidi has an unusually thick double coat that protects it from any kind of weather, from cold mountain climates to searing African heat.
Not only are Aidi dogs furry, but they’re also beautiful and athletically built, which is why they are sometimes used for hunting. This beautiful dog breed has medium-sized ears that drop slightly and tip forward.
Coat Type And Color
Aidi dogs have a thick coat with medium to long, dense fur. Aidi dog coats come in a wide variety of colors. Coat color possibilities are black, brown, white, red, fawn, and brindle. Also, you may be lucky and find a multicolored Aidi instead.
Eyes
The eyes are one of the distinctive aesthetic traits of an Aidi pooch. Either brown or amber, they contribute to the overall beauty of the Aidi.
Nose
Another distinctive feature of this canine breed is the nose, which varies between two colors: either black or brown.
A Rare Breed
Aidi dogs are difficult to find outside of their home country of Morocco and the region of North Africa. This breed may be rarer, but they are worth the time and effort of a search.
How Long Do Aidi Dogs Live?
The Aidi dog has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
With its athletic build and high energy, it’s no surprise that the Aidi is one of the healthiest dog breeds. However, despite their typical health, you may deal with some common conditions that can afflict this canine. Some of the most common follow below.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition common in fast-moving dogs like the Aidi Dog. With hip dysplasia, the dog’s hip joint doesn’t function as it should. This could cause restriction in movement and even lameness, depending on the severity.
However, if your Aidi suffers from hip dysplasia, it’s not the end of the world. It can be managed with physical therapy and sometimes surgery.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia. However, the malfunction happens at the elbow joint. This disorder can range from mild to severe, so an Aidi suffering from this condition may have a hard time running or walking.
Even though this condition results due to genetics, it’s also sometimes caused by lack of activity or overfeeding. Elbow dysplasia can be addressed with medicine or surgery.
Eye Problems
Aidi dogs may suffer from cataracts both early or later in life. A cataract is an eye defect that can cause complete loss of vision if not attended to in time.
Watch out for cloudy eyes and signs that your dog is having trouble seeing clearly, such as bumping into furniture. Take them to the vet right away. Surgery will fix cataracts, but if not treated, glaucoma may result.
How To Take Care Of Your Aidi Dog?
Your furry friend may need more care than you think. If you’re wondering how to care for your Aidi dog, here are some methods to ensure your dog stays healthy and happy.
Constant Exercise
Aidi dogs are highly active, so they need 30 to 60 minutes of daily physical exercise. It can be a simple exercise, such as taking a walk or playing catch. Regardless of what form the exercise takes, it needs to be done daily to keep your Aidi healthy and prevent common joint conditions like hip dysplasia.
High-Quality Diet
Just as diet and nutrition are essential to every human, so it is for doggies. Not only do you have to feed them, but you also have to make sure their diet is nutritious. You don’t want to go feed your Aidi food that would cause stomach upset.
If you’re concerned about the best healthy meal to give your Aidi, Pet Plate is your answer because their meals are made with human-grade ingredients.
However nutritious their food is, it is still important not to overfeed your dog. Feed your Aidi between 2 to 2½ cups of dry food every day.
Multivitamin Supplementation
Giving food to your Aidi doggie is not enough; you also need to invest in multivitamins. This will help your doggie to improve immunity, healthy digestion, the overall health and shine of their coat.
For proper dental health, another essential for your dog is the dental water additives. Add some to your dog’s water dish to serve as a mouthwash and improve their breath.
Temperaments Of Aidi Dogs
The Aidi dog breed is not only rare but also has one of the most pleasant temperaments. Let’s look at some personality traits of this special breed.
Gentle And Playful
The Aidi dog has such a charming temperament. If it’s not cheerful, it’s not an Aidi. This pooch is also gentle, so they’re good house dogs. Their extra playful nature makes them a good companion for kids. Children can play games with the Aidi dog without scaring them.
Active
If you’re not willing to change your sedentary lifestyle or unable to be physically active, we don’t recommend you to get an Aidi since this breed is full of energy. The activeness of an Aidi dog goes hand in hand with their playfulness.
This breed has so much energy that keeping them idle in one spot is almost impossible. So, if you live in a small house or apartment, reconsider getting an Aidi since they need ample space to move around without restriction.
Intelligent And Alert
The Aidi breed’s common use as hunting dogs indicates their intelligence and alertness. With a strong scenting ability, locating prey is a walk in the park. Aidi dogs also do well as watchdogs, which is why they were used to guide livestock like herds of sheep and goats.
The Aidi vigilantly alerts to any noise around and is quick to notice strangers and movements. Because they are protective, this can make them aggressive.
Grooming Tips For Aidi Dogs
Taking care of your Aidi doesn’t stop at providing a quality diet. You must also groom your dog. Luckily, grooming an Aidi is not an arduous task.
The Aidi is not hypoallergenic as this dog breed sheds a moderate amount. However, it does not require a lot of effort and time to groom.
Here are some easy-to-follow tips to properly groom your Aidi.
Brush The Coat On A Regular Basis
The Aidi’s thick coat is easy to groom. You don’t even need to brush daily. Brush once or twice a week to prevent matting or knots in their thick double coat of fur.
The FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool makes the process of getting rid of knots effortless. It is comfortable to use and guarantees dead hair will be removed without damaging the topcoat.
Bathe Occasionally
Apart from its activeness, the Aidi dog is also known for its thick fur, which endures any kind of weather. Bathe your doggie at least once a month to keep their thick coat clean and healthy.
An Aidi’s coat retains moisture because of its thickness, so you cannot exclude bathing from your grooming routine. Not only does bathing give your Aidi a pleasant smell, but it also helps to prevent matting and can help you discover any skin-related issues.
Use the Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo to bathe without fear of irritation. After bathing, dry with a towel and brush out their hair once again. The need to bathe depends on the dog. As the dog owner, it’s your responsibility to keep track of your canine’s hygiene needs and groom as needed.
Related Questions
What’s The Price Of Aidi Puppies? Expect the price of Aidi puppies to be between $400 to $800. However, if you’re buying from a breeder, the cost will be closer to $1,000. The Aidi dog is such a rare breed that it’s quite hard to find, especially an Aidi puppy.
Can Aidi Dogs Swim? Aidi dogs are good at physical activities such as hunting, and swimming is no exception. They love to swim, so don’t worry about them being in the water with you. For physical activity, play a game of fetch with the Aidi dog retrieving what you throw in the pool.
What Is A Beldi Dog? A Beldi dog is a dog of North African descent. Beldi dogs are special because they are a mixed breed with notable traces of native Moroccan dogs: the Aidi and Sloughi. Beldi dogs are strong, smart, and loyal. They also suffer from fewer health issues.
