Armant Basics

When you see the Armant for the first time, you might assume that you are looking at just another shaggy mutt. But it is actually an Egyptian sheepdog breed known for its loyalty and herding ability. If you are looking for a calm and gentle breed, the Armant might be the right choice for you.

The Armant is an Egyptian sheepdog breed known for its loyalty and herding ability.

Origin

Also known as the Egyptian Sheepdog, the Armant is a working breed developed in Egypt. This breed originated in the village of Armant, sometime in the early 1900s. The exact details of its development are unknown but it is thought to be descended from ancient Egyptian farm dogs. Some believe, however, that these dogs are descended from European dogs brought to Egypt some 200 years ago. This theory stems from the fact that the Armant shares some physical characteristics with French breeds like the Bearded Collie and other livestock guarding breeds like the Newfoundland.

Pedigree

The Armant is thought to have been developed from ancient Egyptian farm dogs, though some believe it may have been developed with influence from European herding breeds brought to Egypt 200 years ago.

Food/Diet

As a medium-sized dog, the Armant should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for dogs of its size. Because the Armant was developed as a working breed, it may also benefit from the higher calorie and fat content of a working or active breed formula.

Developed as farm dogs, Armant are smart and highly trainable.

Training

Developed as a farm dog, the Armant is smart and highly trainable. These dogs can be trained for herding as well as livestock guarding, though they also make great family pets. This breed will bond very closely with its owner, so positive reinforcement training is highly effective. Just keep in mind that these dogs may be prone to destructive behaviors if not properly exercised or if left alone too long.

Weight

The Armant is a medium-sized dog that generally stands 21 to 23 inches tall at maturity and weighs somewhere between 50 and 65 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Armant is above all a working dog. This breed was developed as a farm dog, so he does best when given a job to do. That is not to say, however, that the breed does not bond with his owner. This breed is extremely loyal and bonds very closely with his owner. In fact, this breed does not do well when left alone for long periods of time and is highly prone to developing separation anxiety. The Armant is a gentle and calm dog that gets along very well with children, though they do need a lot of room to run and play.

Common Health Problems

For a dog of its size, the Armant has a long lifespan of 14 to 15 years. As an ancient breed, these dogs do not seem to be prone to many significant health issues. Due to its size, however, this breed may be susceptible to hip dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans – they may also be prone to ear infections in Armants with drop ears. Some specimens of the breed have erect ears while others have drop ears – some even have one of each.

Life Expectancy

The Armant has a fairly long lifespan compared to other breeds of its size – its life expectancy is between 14 and 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Armant is an agile dog bred exclusively as a working breed. These dogs are not overly energetic, but they do have the capacity to work all day without tiring. This breed can be trained for herding and does well when given a 30-minute walk once per day and extra time outdoors. These dogs need plenty of room to run and play.

This breed is extremely loyal and bonds very closely with his owner.

AKC

The Armant is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club or The United Kennel Club but it has been recognized by some smaller breed clubs.

Coat

The Armant is easy to identify by its medium-length shaggy coat. This breed has a coarse, rough coat that serves to protect it against inclement weather as well as predatory animals. It comes in a variety of different colors including black, tan, gray, and yellow or any combination of same. Due to the length and texture of the dog’s coat, daily brushing is recommended to prevent tangles.

Puppies

The average litter size for the breed is 3 to 8 puppies. These dogs are calm and gentle from the get-go, but they do have a good deal of energy that can translate into destructive behavior if they aren’t trained and socialized from an early age. Some Armants also have trouble with other dogs and household pets, so that increases the need for early socialization.