Atlas Mountain Dog

Guardian Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Atlas dog has existed for many centuries in the mountains and on the plateaus of North Africa. It can currently be found in large numbers in the mountains of Morocco, where it is used by the semi-nomadic people of the mountainous regions as a guard dog. The breed has never been used in the traditional flock herding sense.

The Atlas Mountain Dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club July 1, 2006.

General Appearance

Solid and powerful, yet sinewy and never cumbersome, the Atlas Mountain Dog possesses a thick, bushy coat that protects it from sun and cold and provides a protective armor in the fights that it must engage in with predators.

Characteristics

Always alert and very instinctive in assessing the threat of danger, the Atlas dog has inherent guarding and protective behavior. The breed is very docile and affectionate with its family.

Head

Strong, broad and conical in shape, with no wrinkles. The cheekbones are not chiseled, and there is no indention on the sides of the head at the juncture of the skull and muzzle. The stop is slight and sloping.

SKULL

Flat and broad, as long as it is wide. There is a slight frontal groove and the occipital bone is not prominent.

MUZZLE

Shorter than the skull, with thin, tight pigmented lips that are black or brown depending on the color of the coat.

TEETH

The Atlas Mountain Dog has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting ideally in a level bite. Scissors or reverse scissors, without loss of contact, are acceptable.

Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot without contact.

NOSE

Broad with open nostrils. Fully pigmented, either black or brown depending on the color of the coat.

EYES

Moderate size and varying in color from amber through brown depending on the color of the coat. Expression is very direct.

Disqualification: Bird of prey eye.

EARS

Medium length with slightly rounded tips, set on the side of the head and carried semi-prick. May be thrown back in the ruff when in repose.

Disqualification: Prick ears.

Neck

Well muscled and free of throatiness.

Forequarters

Angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm is approximately 100 degrees.

FORELEGS

Straight and solid with moderate muscle and short, nearly vertical pasterns. Length of leg from elbow to ground is one-half the height at the withers.

Body

Longer than tall in a ratio of 10:9. The chest is deep, reaching at least to the elbow, and only moderate in width. The back is broad and well muscled, of reasonable length, and the topline must show a slight dip behind the withers, without being sway backed. The loin is slightly arched and the croup slopes gently. The underline is gently tucked up but without exaggeration.

Hindquarters

The angles at the stifle and hock are obtuse, which raises the croup and gives the dip behind the withers.

HIND LEGS

The thighs are well muscled.

Feet

Practically round, with solid pads and nails that are black or brown depending on the coat color.

Tail

Set on low and reaching at least to the hock joint, the tail is carried low in repose but much more gaily when the dog is on the move, however it should never be permanently curled over the back. The richness of the tail plume denotes pure breeding.

Disqualifications: Tail permanently curled over the back. Lack of tail plume.

Coat

Thick and rather harsh except on the face and ears where it is short and fine. Moderate length on the body, with a distinct mane, especially in males, and long breeches and tail plume.

Disqualification: Distinctly short coat.

Color

Extremely variable.
Black.
Fawn - ranging from pale sand to deep red, with or without sable or brindle markings.
Brown - ranging from beige to deep, dark brown, with the lighter shades sometimes mantled in deep brown.

All of these colors may be spotted with white to any degree.

Disqualifications: Harlequin, blue or Isabella.

Height

Ideal height at the withers for both males and females is from 20½ inches to 24½ inches.

Gait

A tireless, single tracking trot, with reasonable reach and the feet kept close to the ground.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Tail permanently curled over the back.
Lack of tail plume.
Undershot or overshot without contact.
Prick ears.
Bird of prey eye.
Harlequin, blue or Isabella.
Distinctly short coat.

Atlas Mountain Dog Black Coat

Atlast Mountain Dog Fawn Coat