Pyrenean Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

The Pyrenean Shepherd hails from Spain where he has always been used to herd sheep. Some people believe he is a descendant of the French Catalan Sheepdog while others say from the Briard. Nobody is too sure.

He is actually the smallest of the French herding breeds. It is interesting to note that he still does this herding job today. It was in the 19th century that a few of these dogs left for America with shepherds who found work herding flocks in the American West.

These dogs were also used in World War 1 as messenger dogs.

It was during the 1970's and 1980's that breeding programs were started for the dog and The Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America was formed in 1987. The dog was also recognized in 2009 by the American Kennel Club.

Aidi dog is also known as Berber dog. It originates from Marocco, where it has been kept to protect people from wild animals, strangers, and predators. It is considered that this breed has been utilized by the Barber tribe that is why it has a name Barber dog. Aidi has recently been protected by a club to keep its purity of the breed.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is a medium-sized dog standing at between 38 and 50cm in height and weighing between 14 and 20kg.

His head is fairly small with large, bright, expressive eyes. The ears are semi-erect. The tail has always traditionally been docked but often left long these days.

He comes with two different coat types – rough and smooth with sometimes both types being in the same litter. The dog is a regular shedder. The coat can be medium length or long and slightly wavy with a harsh texture. The coat can be of the shorter type with finer, softer hair. The coat is available in different colors and patterns, and can be a fawn color or grey and you will find a black overlay occasionally with some white. The coat can be tri-colored or he can be in solid colors such as cream or white.

Temperament:

Your feisty Pyrenean Shepherd is a dog with plenty of personality. He is also full of energy and will love to live with a outdoorsy-type family who are always on the go, because he’s in on everything.

He is distrustful of strangers and this together with the fact that he is so alert, makes him a splendid watchdog too.

He will need to be trained and socialized as he can be overly robust. He becomes obedient and well mannered, being totally dedicated to his owner. It isn’t easy for him to be separated from his beloved human owner.

Aidi dog originate country is Morocco. A weight of the Aidi dog is 23-25kg while the height is 53-61cm. Female dogs are a little smaller than average males. Lifespan variates from 10-12 years, but it depends on every individual. Litter Size of Aidi is 5-8 puppies. Other Names for Aïdi are Atlas Mountain Dog, Atlas Shepherd Dog, Berber Dog, Chien de l'Atlas, Chien de Montagne de l'Atlas, Kabyle Dog.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is essentially a one-person dog, becoming totally attached to one particular person in the family.

He is known as a dog who becomes totally loyal to his human family, getting on well with children as well as with other pets in the home.

He is aloof and wary of strangers. Training and socialization is important so as to avoid aggression and fear. This is one dog that requires being diligently exercised every day.

He is a great watchdog, and when you add up all his fantastic qualities, you get to realize what a splendid companion and pet this wonderful dog makes.

Aidi is an active dog who loves spending time outside in large space. They are not recommended for people who live in the apartments. They are very protective dogs, so they will be a perfect guard dog for large houses.

They are amazing with children. Aidi is a very gentle to small kids, and they tend to bond very quickly. It is very important to socialize them on time because they tend to be aggressive towards other animals and people if not properly trained. The best way to socialize them is to spend time with other pets since the early age.

Training of the Aidi

Training of the Aidi might be tricky because it requires constancy and patience. It is also very important to be a firm but without any aggression towards a dog. Awarding and positive training is a must with this breed.

One of the most important things is that Aidi needs to spend a lot of time being active. They need a lot of space to be comfortable even though they do not need a lot of running.

They are very smart dogs who come from a history of guarding dogs, so proper socialization is a must. Aidi is not recommendable for the first time owners. They need a lot of practice and training to be a perfectly good pet.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is such a jovial little dog that you just can’t imagine him ever being sick. When he is lethargic, you'll know there is something seriously wrong with him because he is always as bright as a button.

He can however get sick, and there are a few dog illnesses such as epilepsy, eye problems and hip dysplasia that can be very painful ad debilitating for such an energetic dog. You don’t have to be too concerned though, as he is a dog known to have minimal health issues.

Aidi is considered to be a very tough breed. They are very healthy dogs. But, since every highly active breed, Aidi can develop hip dysplasia or patellar luxation. Then again, with regular vet checks and good, healthy diet, including proper daily activity, Aidi is a very healthy breed.

Grooming:

This will depend on the coat type. Both coat types will essentially require you brushing him twice a week.

Exercise:

The Pyr Shep’s activity levels are very high and this dog will require living with people who love outdoor activities. He’s the perfect companion for those camping trips or hikes. He is always ready to join you on your walks and will be ready and waiting to jump right in when he sees you with a ball or frisbee.

Diet:

For all that energy, your Pyrenean Shepherd will be needing the best dog food there is. Food full of preservatives and colorants can be bad for your pet, detrimental to his health.

Good food full of vitamins and minerals will ensure your pet stands a good chance of living a long, healthy life. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, ensure its the best there is, with labeling on the packaging that tells you its for his age, his size and energy levels.

Consistency and simplicity is what your Pyrenean Shepherd wants, and home-made food can enhance his dry kibble. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all chopped up and mixed into the dry kibble once or twice a week will ensure your pet’s eyes are continuously bright and alert and his tail constantly wagging.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will also go towards ensuring his good health. Always make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Feeding the breed

Feeding Aidi dog depends on the activity and size of each individual. Overall, for a medium-sized dog with average activity 2-2.5 cups of high-quality food would be enough, but if your dog is a very active dog, you should give him extra food. They love eating, so giving your dog healthy fruit and vegetables would be a very nice treat and addition to dry food. Olive oil is also very good for your dog’s coat and digestive system.

Feeding the puppy

Puppies need to have more meals per day, so dividing 3-4 cups of food into 3-5 meals per day should be a good amount of food for your puppy. Also, regular intake of vitamins and minerals would do a lot of benefits for the health of your dog.

Grooming Aida

Aida is a very easy dog for grooming. They have a coat that really needs a little extra attention. Few brushing on a monthly basis with an occasional bathing couple of times a year would be enough to have a perfectly groomed dog. They don’t shed a lot, so little extra brushing during the shed period is all you need.