The Atlas Mountain Dog (also known as the Aidi) hails from North Africa and has existed there for centuries. Today, it is mostly found in the Moroccan Atlas mountains and is still used today for livestock guarding purposes – particularly for sheep and goats, as well as for guarding his owners from dangerous predators. The bravest members of the breed would be staked around the perimeters of tribal camps to keep watch and defend against human invaders or animal predators during the night. Known for a good nose and hunting abilities as well, the breed is also used on hunting expeditions together with the Sloughi. The Atlas will sniff out the prey and the Sloughi will chase it down! Some have even been used in police work, making this a truly versatile animal.

The Atlas can make a good companion to those who can provide enough mental and physical exercise, and indeed he is becoming a more popular pet in Morocco as well. He does possess a fair bit of energy and needs regular outdoor excursions – enough to satisfy his agile body and alert mind! This is a breed that needs a job to do – ideally one involving flock guarding although other jobs can be substituted. Because this is a dog used heavily for protection, experienced owners are recommended. If he feels like he needs to act in a dangerous situation, he will do so with a calm head however he must be raised correctly for this to be the case.

Atlas Mountains should start obedience lessons from a young age as they can become strong and powerful as adults, and need obedience to keep them under control. They are surprisingly sensitive for such a courageous breed, however can also tend to be dominant-minded, so lessons should always focus on providing the right balance of rules and rewards. Once they begin to learn what is being asked of them they can become very focused. This is an intelligent dog that definitely benefits from challenging tasks, and usually enjoys the extra attention that training gives.

The Atlas Mountain is very affectionate to his family although doesn’t care too much for strangers, tending to ignore new people. It is beneficial to start socialization with him early so that new people/situations don’t frighten him, although keep in mind that acting reserved around strangers is normal and expected. With his owners, he needs plenty of social interaction to remain happy. Some dogs do well in homes with children while others do not. This is dependent upon the individual dog as well as how he was raised.

Atlas Mountain Dogs, being a medium-sized breed, are noticeably smaller than most other livestock guardian dogs however should still be solid in build. The coat is moderate in length but thick, harsh and protective against both hot and cold weather. It requires surprisingly little care. It can be one of three main colors – either black, fawn or brown. Fawns and browns both range from light to dark, with fawns possibly including sable or brindle markings. Any of the three colors can include white. The nose will be either black or brown to match the coat. Ears are always semi-prick, although can be thrown back into the ruff when in repose. The low-set tail has a plume which is said to “denote pure breeding”.

The Atlas does not do well in apartment settings although is well behaved and quiet in a small or large home – even being fairly inactive. He should have at minimum a small backyard with a fence to run around in as well as regular daily walks to satisfy his energy level. Furthermore, providing him with regular activities will keep both his mind and body in shape. Agility is one such sport to which he is well-suited. The breed lives for 11-12 years on average and will need regular activity for the majority of his life. Remember, this is first and foremost a versatile working breed!

Photo By Desaix83

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a very old breed, mentioned in texts as early as the 1800’s. Named after a village in the mountain of Portugual, he is also known as the Castro Laboreiro Dog, the Portuguese Cattle Dog or the Portuguese Watchdog. This livestock guardian breed was tasked with watching over cattle and guarding the herd. A true working guard dog, they had earned a reputation of being ferocious toward predators when needed. Sadly, as predators began to dwindle in numbers in their home country, many dogs lost their jobs and homes. Abandoned by their owners, it was unfortunately common for them to become feral in the mountains of Portugal for a time. Luckily, this is rarely the case nowadays and the breed has since been re-domesticated and are used mainly as guard dogs today. This breed is rare in the United States but is recognized here by the UKC, and by the FCI abroad.

The Laboreiro is a very protective, dominant breed. He has a natural territorial nature and will patrol the house or yard without special training – often choosing a high spot to rest where he can see the majority of the property. His fearless demeanor and tendency to take control of situations makes him very ill-suited to first-time dog owners! He is said to “threaten first and greet later”. This said, he can be good with children of the family although may be less tolerant of strange children. When raised correctly, he is docile with his owners and develops a strong bond. However he can be extremely suspicious of strangers and even aggressive in certain circumstances.

Cao de Castro Laboreiros are intelligent dogs although many will only perform commands if prompted by their owners. They will not tolerate abusive training methods and instead need firm, yet fair discipline from experienced owners. Because they were bred to do a job, they require assigned work in order to be happy and behaviorally sound. Members of this breed can be seen in the Portuguese Marine Corps, where they have been used as police and military dogs. They have also been used as guide dogs and competitors in dog sports such as agility. They tend to learn obedience commands quickly although their independent nature means they may not always “decide” to perform the command.

The Laboreiro is not a loud dog by nature. He tends to only bark when he needs to – usually to warn of a stranger approaching the property. The sound itself is peculiar and unique, starting on a low tone and ending in a high pitch. He does best in a home with a large yard somewhat secluded from constant crowds of people. Apartments or busy city life can work him into a frenzy as he will likely feel the need to be on constant alert. In a more rural area, he can be allowed to roam the property and be taken for long daily walks without worry of frequent stranger interaction. The Castro Laboreiro is an active breed that does require regular exercise by an owner that is physically able to control this strong dog. When given enough exercise, however, he is surprisingly calm in the home.

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro was bred to be hardy and healthy – living with flocks and requiring little veterinary care. Because of this there are no common health problems in the breed (although like any breed, any individual dog can always develop a health issue). Average lifespan is 12 years. Grooming is also simple, as this single-coated dog requires only basic coat care. They shed very little, and some even claim that the breed is less likely to bother allergy sufferers.

The Laboreiro may have issues with other dogs, owing to their territorial nature. They do best as only-pets in the home, and are not a breed that will thrive in a dog park or daycare situation. In contrast they do very well with livestock, which should come as no surprise. The early lifestyle of the breed was one in which they lived outside with their herd, ever watchful and on-duty even in bad weather conditions.

Every year in Portugal, a competition for Cao de Castro Laboreiro dogs is held. It is the oldest competition of its kind in the country having started in the 1950’s. Like most dog shows, the Laboreiros are judged on their conformation. Judges look for a Mastiff-type frame and strong build, being medium-sized yet muscular. The coat is short, thick and coarse and comes in a variety of “wolf colors” and/or brindle in all shades. Despite a spotty past, thankfully these handsome dogs are once again appreciated and admired in their home country.

Photo By Schiowa

The Olde English Bulldogge was developed by a man named David Leavitt from Pennsylvania in the early 1970’s. His aim was to re-create the Bulldog breed of old – a healthy and athletic dog – although without the extreme fighting drive. Original bulldogs were created for bull-baiting and similar blood sports, and when the practices were outlawed the Bulldog as a breed began to change over time. The Olde English Bulldogge was an effort to bring back the original type of dog. The four breeds that went into this new breed included the Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff and American Pit Bull Terrier. Eventually the dogs began to breed true and crosses were no longer needed. Today they are recognized by the UKC as well as several smaller registries in the United States.

Bulldogges are versatile dogs that compete and succeed in many different dog sports. Obedience, weight pull, conformation, agility, therapy work and nosework are all activities in which the breed is competitive and can excel! They enjoy pleasing their owners and have intelligent minds. Although they may have stubborn patches, overall they take to training very well. Every Bulldogge should be given basic obedience and household rules starting from puppyhood because they are robust, strong-willed dogs with the potential to take control if given free reign. Furthermore this breed needs a job to keep from becoming bored and destructive.

The OEB and the Bulldog, although sharing many similarities, also have many differences from each other. To start, the OEB is a taller and less stocky animal. Not being as exaggerated, they do not have the same breeding difficulties as their counterparts, nor do they suffer the breathing problems that some Bulldogs are known to have. The OEB is said to be a healthier dog overall and does not suffer the same list of health issues. Average lifespan is 13-15 years in general. Energy-wise, this is a more active breed and will likely be more excited about participating in events or training pursuits.

Olde English Bulldogges tend to love children, especially if they are raised with them, although supervision is required with very young kids. They are strong and can unintentionally hurt a toddler. Although they aren’t particularly tall (a big male may be considered medium in height), they can get up to 80 pounds which can easily do damage in roughhousing play. For the most part, as long as a parent uses common sense this can be a great family dog in the right circumstance. Furthermore, they add an extra layer of security to a household. Olde English Bulldogges can make excellent watch dogs and will alert when something is wrong.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Bulldogge can live comfortably in an apartment, but only provided that he is given lots of exercise. He also needs regular attention and will not do well with owners who work all day, so apartment-life (or any sort of life) will not work without an adequate amount of time/attention. If living in a home with a yard, his exercise needs go down a bit, although he still does need at least a medium amount. Unlike his cousin the Bulldog, he is not a good match for low-energy households.

OEBs are known for having same sex aggression, so an owner may not have luck keeping two dogs of the same sex together. While early socialization can tip the odds in one’s favor, it cannot always fix this potential issue. Some owners find that keeping only altered animals of the same sex together can help, but this only works on a case-by-base basis. Others find that introducing each new dog to the pack as a puppy can help, as well as making sure none of the dogs are close in age. All of this depends on the lines and on the individual dogs. This said, keeping opposite sex pairs is usually fine for many owners.

The Cimarron Uruguayo is thought to be descended from dogs brought over to Uruguay by Spanish and Portuguese conquerors (possibly the Alano Espanol and similar breeds), which were later abandoned in huge numbers. These semi-feral dogs bred amongst themselves with only the strongest surviving. At first these wild dogs were considered a nuisance and a danger to livestock and people – and bounties were even offered up to those who would kill the dogs. Eventually, realizing that the dogs could actually be useful, ranchers would capture and re-domesticate them. The dogs were found to be fantastic guard dogs and could also be used to hunt large game as well as herding. Today, the breed is actually the mascot of the National Army of Uruguay! This molosser breed is rare in the United States (although recognized by the UKC), but is very familiar overseas and recognized by the FCI.

Cimarrons are incredibly brave dogs – a trait that is even noted in the standard. This said, they have a steadfast and calm temperament and when bred/raised correctly are very dependable. They are very loyal to their families and get along with children without issue as long as they had been socialized when young. They are, however, suspicious of strangers – never forget that this is a serious guard dog that will do his job if he feels it is necessary! Cimarrons are not for first-time dog owners and can be aggressive in the wrong hands. Furthermore, many of them are also not dependable around other dogs and can be dog-aggressive, regardless of how they were raised.

The Uruguayo is intelligent and trainable. This said, it takes an experienced person to work with this dominant breed! The better they are raised as a puppy, the easier training will go however most are stubborn, determined and domineering as a rule. Owners that don’t care about rules at all may end up with an aggressive and overbearing adult, so let us be clear… training and rules are 100% necessary for this breed! Be prepared to be very firm when setting down and enforcing rules. Novices should look elsewhere! Furthermore, the Cimarron requires mental exercise and does need a job to do in order to be happy and fulfilled. Obedience training can be used for a job in itself, and it can also be used to form the building blocks for learning other more specialized jobs!

The Cimarron Uruguayo isn’t apt to bark unless something is amiss, which makes him a fairly quiet companion most of the time. He can be kept in an apartment under the right circumstances, and as long as he is given plenty of exercise. Being high energy, he needs a fair amount of time to run each day. This is much more easily accomplished with a home on a large fenced property but a dedicated person in a smaller living environment can make it work if they spend lots and lots of time exercising the dog (this means 2 hours a day minimum). Take note that if he lives outside all day (not recommended) he will likely end up guarding the yard and could end up becoming a liability in the wrong circumstances. Just as he is not recommended for apartment living if the owner cannot exercise enough, he is also not recommended for owners who just want a dog to roam the property/yard unsupervised all day.

The coat of the Cimarron is short and smooth, with presence of an undercoat. A long coat is a disqualification. Most often they are seen in brindle although they can also come in any shade of fawn. Dogs are also allowed to either have a black mask and/or black shading, although it is not required. Some members of the breed have splashes of white, although any white must remain only on certain parts of the dog. Size-wise, these molossers aren’t particularly tall (small females can be around the 21 inch mark while a large male won’t top 24 inches) but in terms of mass they can be extremely large – as heavy as 100 pounds! One of the distinguishing features are the ears, which are often traditionally cropped in the shape of a puma’s ears – rounded all over. The crop is said to be done in homage to the dogs which were originally killed for bounty, in which bringing an ear would prove the dog had been slain.

Photo by Coquimbo58

The Sarplaninac is a very old breed from the mountains of former Yugoslavia in southeast Europe. Originally recognized by the FCI in 1939 under the name Illyrian Shepherd Dog, this name was later changed to the current title, named after the Sar Mountains in the region (the correct pronunciation, by the way, is “shar-pla-nee-natz”). Originally recognized with two types, the other type eventually split off completely to become the Karst Shepherd Dog. This is a flock guardian that is still used today, primarily overseas as he is quite rare in the United States.

The Sar is a breed that needs to work in order to be fulfilled and, in fact, usually prefers his flock to his human owners when utilized as a livestock guardian. Always alert to changing circumstances, if danger were to approach the flock he would respond with ferocity although otherwise is a calm (albeit serious) breed. He is unmistakably brave, not to mention strong, and will face any foe regardless of size. With strangers visiting the home, he is aloof at best and suspicious at worst. Care must be taken when owning this molosser breed and as such he is not recommended for novice owners!

Although the Sarplaninac is a loyal and intelligent breed, he is more likely to follow his own will rather than obedience commands. This said, it is vital that he be given rules, boundaries as well as training! This is not a breed that one can just “set and forget” in the yard (unless being strictly used as a livestock guardian rather than as a companion) – he requires mental stimulation and everyday structure. Furthermore, training and rule management should be done with an air of authority as he is not apt to listen to the timid or wishy-washy. Not only is he stubborn and extremely independent but he will take on the authoritative role if he can get away with it.

Sars are affectionate with their families and get along well with children, although it is important to research the lines before purchasing a puppy to make sure the temperament matches up to what you are looking for. Temperaments do vary with certain lines. They can be a bit too much dog for many people due to their sheer size. While usually affectionate with those they love, many are “serious”. This is a territorial guard dog who will take it upon themselves to protect both property, people and livestock if they sees fit – a trait that can make them a liability in the wrong hands. Sarplaninacs can tend towards being aggressive with other dogs as well as small pets, and get along best with livestock. Either way, they need lots of socialization starting in the puppy months to expose them to people/places/animals/things that they will encounter in their adult lives.

Although it should be obvious, the Sarplaninac is not suited to apartment living! He is best suited to living in a country setting, ideally with livestock to watch over (do you notice a trend?). Unlike the majority of breeds, he is perfectly capable of living outdoors with his flock. He also needs plenty of exercise, either in the form of free running on a big fenced property or daily walks/jogs. Historically he exercised himself while doing his guarding job but in a companion home (without a flock), he will likely need his owner to exercise him. Otherwise he can become destructive and difficult to live with.

The Sar is a large breed with heavy bone and a thick coat which gives him the appearance of being even bigger. He is ever so slightly longer than he is tall. The coat is straight, rough in texture and double-coated. Although most commonly seen in iron gray, he is actually allowed to be any solid or sabled color, and can also be shaded from dark to light as long as the color change is gradual. The ears are hanging and shaped like a V, and the tail hangs in a slight sabre shape. The Sar tends to be healthy and robust, usually living between 11 and 13 years. He does however require regular brushing, nail trimming, dental care and ear care. He also needs the occasional bath, which will help to pull out dead coat from this otherwise high-shedder – a coat that is designed for spending cold nights outside.

Photo by Sakal33

The Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog has been used as a flock guardian and general guard dog for hundreds of years in the Carpathian mountains. These abilities are instinctual and do not need to be trained. The breed is therefore exceptionally courageous and will stand up to any predator (animal or human) that threatens their charge. The standard, first written in 1934, is therefore fairly new in the grand scheme of things and before this point, these dogs were bred for their ability to do their job rather than how they should look. Nowadays, they are being seen more often as pets rather than strictly just working dogs in Romania, and are known for their intense loyalty. They can even get along well with children provided that they were socialized early on to them.

Like many livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), the Carpathian tends toward dominant behavior and will try to take charge in situations where the owner isn’t “stepping up”. This isn’t to suggest that the dog is overtly aggressive towards his owners, however he does tend toward assertiveness even while keeping his generally calm demeanor. Owners should make sure to socialize the dog early, provide training and uphold household rules. When this is done, most Carpathians are balanced and even-tempered family members, albeit fairly independent. This is important in all large, strong breeds but especially vital in the serious guarding breeds.

The Romanian Carpathian is not suited to live in an apartment. Most prefer the outside to indoors and therefore need a large fenced backyard in which to roam. Many livestock guarding breeds live outside with their flocks, which makes them one of the rare exceptions to the rule “dogs prefer to be inside with their owners”. This is assuming that the dog has livestock to watch over, of course! If not, companion Carpathians will instead bond with their people (rather than livestock) and do prefer to be within eyes-distance to their owners. Having a lot of energy, they should be given at least one long walk a day to fulfill their exercise needs, preferably in addition to wandering time around the yard to survey/patrol their territory. Make sure the area is securely fenced as some can be escape artists, particularly if they feel they need to jump a fence in order to run off an “intruder”!

The Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog isn’t normally keen on strangers or even strange dogs. At best, he’s aloof and suspicious. At worst (or if he senses danger), he’s threatening. This is why it’s so very important to socialize early and to understand how the mind of an LGD works before owning one. Other less-than-desirable traits include the propensity to dig (especially if bored or under-exercised), as well as destructive puppy behavior. Most puppies are destructive to a certain extent but large breeds can do a lot more damage in a shorter period of time!

The lifespan of the Carpathian Shepherd averages between 12-14 years which is higher than average for dogs of this size. In general this is a very healthy and hardy breed, particularly when given plenty of exercise and outdoor time. They don’t tend to thrive when left to lay on the couch all day. Make sure to also include grooming in the routine! Although they don’t need grooming as often as some double coated breeds, a full to-the-skin brushing twice a week is recommended. They don’t shed excessively although will drop coat seasonally. Like all dogs, they also need nail trimming, dental care and ear cleaning on a regular basis as well.

Romanian Carpathian Shepherds are intelligent but they do need an owner/trainer who understands dog behavior and is willing to enforce rules in a fair, yet firm way. As a dog who was bred for a specific purpose, a Carpathian needs a job to do in order to be fulfilled. Flock guarding is the most obvious job, but in lieu of livestock, obedience training can function as a fulfilling job instead.

The Majorca Mastiff is a guard dog, hunting dog, and bull fighting dog from Spain, established as a breed in 1923. Also known as the Ca de Bou, Presa Canario Mallorquin, or the Majorca Bulldog – with whatever name he goes by, he is medium-sized in height but built like a tank. He is brave yet loyal to his owners and otherwise well-tempered to those whom he knows. Although he is a guard dog, with early socialization he should be social and well-behaved with strangers. Males tend to be a little friendlier in general while females can be more suspicious as well as more protective.

The Majorca is quiet in the home and can be a good match for families – with the caveat that they should only be owned by those who are experienced with molosser breeds! They are naturally protective, and this combined with their powerful build and great strength means that in the wrong hands they could potentially end up hurting someone. If there are children in the home, supervision is required to ensure that everyone is playing nicely (this includes making sure kids aren’t teasing the dog). This isn’t to say that the breed is bad with children – in fact they are usually very patient with kids – but common sense, training and early socialization is a must!

With other pets, some Majorcas get along very well while others… less so. Particularly when it comes to cats and other smaller animals, the sheer size of these dogs make accidents more likely to occur. As the Majorca was also used in both bull fighting and dog fighting, they can have a naturally combative attitude. Mileage will vary considerably with some individuals unable to live with other pets at all, while others can be just fine. The amount of socialization the dog has had and the skill of the owner are definitely factors, but genetics play a huge part here as well. Unfortunately many Majorcas do not mesh well into a multi-dog household.

Majorca Mastiffs are a rare breed, recognized by the UKC but not the AKC. This means that prospective puppy owners are likely to have to import a dog from overseas. The breed nearly went extinct in the early 20th century but luckily, there was enough of a following that breeders were able to save them before they disappeared. This said, some sources state that the current Majorca is a recreation and other breeds had to be mixed in in order to save them. Either way, numbers are small and one won’t just “stumble upon” a puppy or adult dog.

Majorcas are not high energy in the home, however they do need a fair bit of exercise and do best with people who are active. At least an hour a day of structured exercise is recommended, and in addition they should also receive mental stimulation in the form of games, dog sports and of course formal training. Keep in mind that these powerhouses also eat a lot per day, particularly the larger males. Be prepared to spend enough money to keep the dog well-fed, while exercising enough to keep excess weight off and the body healthy.

While the Majorca Mastiff has a great potential to learn and does enjoy pleasing his owners, he is not always the easiest breed to train for an inexperienced person. He benefits from training that is balanced, firm and yet always fair. Owners and/or trainers should utilize patience as he may be a little slower to teach than other, more enthusiastic breeds. Despite the fact that he can be more of a challenge, however, obedience training is an essential must for this breed! He is too strong a dog (both in body as well as mental resolve) to be given free reign to do whatever he wants in the home. While the requirements for ownership can be high, when all of his mental and physical needs are met this can be an immensely loyal and devoted breed for the right owner.

Photo by Canarian