Norwegian Lundehund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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 Norwegian Lundehund hails from the island of Vaeroy, Norway and was created for the purpose of puffin hunting.

Now that these puffins are a protected species, the dog is no longer used for hunting and has become a companion dog.

The breed decreased in numbers during- and after World War II because the islands where he came from had an outbreak of distemper. It was in 1963 that another outbreak occurred and the dogs were almost wiped out. A breeding program saw their numbers being built up.

It was in 2011 that the dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club.

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.

As a spitz-type dog, with the Lundehund you’ll recognize the typical spitz-dog characteristics – the erect ears and the tail that curves over the back.

He is a small to medium sized dog standing at 30 – 40cm and weighing 6 – 9kg. He is an active dog and is as agile as a fox.

He has a dense double coat which is white, reddish/tan with some black tips. He is a dog which sheds constantly.

Strangely this dog has 6 toes and his rear pads have elongated foot pads which have helped the dog be able to climb over rocks. He also has a flexible type of neck that is capable of craning back so that the head touches the spine. The dog has some unique features and wriggling in and out of small spaces is another of his characteristics. In fact he can do things that you would not imagine a dog could do.

Temperament:

When you have a Lundehund in your life you’ll agree he has a happy, amicable personality. He is non-aggressive.

He will require training and socialization as he is an independent dog who can be obstinate. He is quite aloof with strangers too and once he starts barking at them he tends to want to continue. Training him will put an end to that irritating behavior. He is a loving, loyal dog, enjoying the company of his human family.

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 Norwegian Lundehund isn’t your everyday dog and in fact he is known as a primitive breed. Perhaps he wouldn’t be the best dog to have if you’re a first-time dog owners as training is quite difficult too.

People who are willing to take a chance on him say that with training and socialization he can become a loving canine companion.

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.

The Lundehund is prone to digestive disorders but even so he has got a good chance of living to be 11, 12, 13 or 14 years of age with good care.

He is however, one of these dogs prone to health problems of which chronic intestinal disease is one. Its the kind of illness that can recur because it is resistant to treatment.

Experts on these dogs say that they should have a fecal test done every 6 months or so, saying that one thing a bit negative with this dog breed is that you may well be forking out quite a bit on chronic veterinary care.

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.

Diet:

Like any other dog, the Norwegian Lundehund will do well on the best quality food. If you buy him commercially manufactured food, check the ingredients on the packaging. Lots of these lower quality foods are made from ingredients that are toxic for your pet, so buy a good quality one.

Buy food according to your dog’s age and activity levels. To make his meals more interesting, add in some delicious home prepared food for him. Stay away from spicy, exotic foods and go for something like boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Some raw meat added to the kibble from time to time can also do wonders for your pet as he requires a high-protein diet. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Other ‘caring’ things to do to make sure your pet has a quality lifestyle is -

Brush his hair twice a week as he is a fairly heavy shedder. Not only does it keep the coat nice and shiny, it builds up a bond between you and your pet.

Check his ears and eyes regularly to make sure they are free from infection.

Clip his nails when they get long as your pet can hurt himself if the nails hook onto things.

Whenever he is ill, get him to the vet for a check-up.

Make sure he has a nice safe, dry, warm, snug place to sleep.

Keep him well exercised. A dog that is put into the backyard and more or less forgotten will be most miserable. Why get a pet if you don’t want to make him a 100% part of the family?