Armant Dog Breed: Facts, Traits, Character and Look

An Armant medium-sized breed is prized for its selfless guarding abilities; these canines bond closely to their owners and families, and their loyalty and devotion are not to be surpassed. They are called various other names, including Egyptian Sheepdog, Egyptian Shepherd Dog, Chien de Berger Egyptian, Ermenti, Hawara Dog, and Egyptian Armant herding dog. Its common nicknames are Egyptian Armant, Herding Dog, and Black Lion. 

The Egyptian Armant is, above all, a working dog. Developed as farm dogs, Armants do best when given jobs to do. However, that is not to say that the breed does not bond with its owner. These herding dogs are extremely loyal and bond very closely with their owners. This breed does not do well when left alone for long periods 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 need a lot of space to run and play.

The female delivers six to eight pups after a 60 day pregnancy period. The Armant’s lifespan is 13 to 14 years. The average weight of males and females is 60 pounds, and their average height is 22.5 inches.

What is the History of the Armant Dog?

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. The Armant breed was developed almost exclusively as a working dog in rural areas. 

Combined with the fact that the breed was probably developed before accurate records were kept for breeding most dogs, nothing is known with certainty about the breed’s origin. The belief is that the Armant descends from the Briard dog breed brought to Egypt by Napoleon’s armies. These dogs were likely crossed with local dogs to produce the first examples of the breed.

Yet another theory, one less likely, is that the Armant developed by breeding the Bearded Collie and the Newfoundland with Egyptian farm dogs that descended from European herding breeds. The Armant is named after the town of Armant in Egypt, the supposed place of origin of the breed. The Armant is not very well known but is used extensively within Egypt as both a herding dog and a guard dog.

What are the Breed Traits and Characteristics of Armant Dogs?

Armant dogs make excellent pets. Their high energy and intelligence make training them easy. To keep up with the demands of their jobs, Armants need frequent physical activity, no less than an hour a day. The Armant is also an affectionate canine that craves human interaction, and solitude does not suit them. Swiss Dogs and children do well together, and they are effective watchdogs.

The Armant is a typical medium-sized dog with a large head and a medium-sized muzzle proportionate to the head. The Egyptian Herding Dog has round, small dark eyes, placed obliquely. Their noses are typically black in color, broad, and have wide nostrils; however, they can have lighter-colored noses that complement their coat color. Their bodies are well-muscled with a deep, broad chest and powerful legs. 

They have a shaggy coat that is medium to long and is harsh to the touch. The Armant can have several colors, but black, black and tan, gray and yellow are the most common colors. Male and female Egyptian Ermenti stand 21 to 23 inches at the withers and weigh 50 to 65 pounds.

What is the Average Maintenance Cost for Armant Dogs?

Armant Dogs is still a somewhat rare breed in the United States, making it both difficult and expensive to find a purebred puppy to buy. Buying a puppy from a registered breeder could cost between $1800 – $2800, depending on the breeder you select, the sex of the puppy, and, of course, the demand for the breed at the time. The bloodline of the puppy and its parents could also affect the price. You will be hard-pressed to find this breed in a shelter, but if you do, the price will typically be based on the cost of care provided while keeping the Armant.

It is always best to consider annual expenses related to the maintenance of your Armant Sheepdog and its wellbeing before making the purchase. The first year will be the most expensive, as puppies require extra vet care and more one-time purchases like microchips, spaying or neutering, etc. You can expect to spend about $3,000 for your dog’s first year. After that, the price will go down to about $1,700 a year. 

The typical annual costs of having a medium-sized canine such as an Armant Dog, food and medical only, excluding toys, food and water bowl, cages, doggy blankets, beds, etc., could cost an average of $650. The most regular annual costs for dogs similar to the Armant Dog consist of:

• Food items
• Veterinary care
• Vaccinations
• Preventive medicine
• Toys
• Pet insurance
• Pet Supplies

Armants’ shedding level is above average. It’s a natural process of the hair growth cycle. The Armant has a coarse, medium to long coat that is dense in the colder months and protects them from the weather when they are out with the flock. They should be brushed once a week to keep the coat looking healthy and remove any dirt. The Armant’s coat does not generally tangle, but without frequent brushing, matting can occur. Armants with longer coats should be brushed every day or every other day to prevent the longer coat from tangling.

The Armant does not tend to drool excessively; in fact, the breed hardly ever drools. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. The Armant has a moderate risk of obesity, especially if working dogs become house pets with insufficient exercise. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with premium quality dry dog food and live an active life together.

What is the best diet for Armant Dogs?

Your dog’s adult size determines its dietary needs through all life stages. Thus, base your Armant Dog’s diet on a large breed’s unique nutritional and digestive needs throughout its different life stages. Armant Dogs fall in the large breed class, and most dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, large and giant breeds. 

It is always a good idea to discuss your dog’s dietary needs with your vet to ensure you are prepared to deal with age-related issues as your Armant grows. A veterinarian can advise on diets, portion sizes, meal frequencies, and all nutrition matters to ensure your furry friend lives a long life with optimal health. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times, and some of the essential nutrients are listed below:

• Protein
• Fatty acids
• Carbohydrates
• Minerals
• Vitamins

Avoid feeding your Armant from the table, all it does is add weight, instead, follow the advice below to ensure your Armant friend’s optimal health.

The Armant Sheepdog is an active, athletic breed type. It will thus need food that contains animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins, and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. A dog of this size, activity level, and demeanor will thrive best on premium dry food because this food type contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.

Armant Dog puppy’s portion depends on age, but 2 to 3 cups are appropriate. In contrast, an active, healthy adult Armant should have 3 to 4 cups, depending on the brand and formula of the food. Feeding Armant Dogs several meals instead of one meal per day can prevent life-threatening bloat. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian. 

Feed your Armant Dog a food formulated for large working dog breeds, recipes for puppies, adults, and seniors, or look for a brand formulated for all life stages. An example of premium food for Armant Shepherd Dogs and its benefits are listed below:

Instinct Raw Boost Dry Dog Food with Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces is ideal for Active Breed puppies, adults, and senior dogs. Instinct offers a variety of natural dry dog food recipes with added vitamins and minerals to suit your furry family member’s needs. And with freeze-dried raw coating on every piece of kibble, adding the nutrition and taste of raw to your pet’s diet is easy.

Below is a list of the benefits offered by the 14 Instinct. Raw Boost Recipes

• Protein-Packed: With responsibly sourced real meat as the first ingredient, these recipes are packed with animal protein for strong, lean muscles.
• Omegas 3 and 6: Naturally occurring omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat health.
• Antioxidants: Antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits help support immune health.
• Probiotics: Guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics are included to support your dog’s digestive health.
• Raw Coating: Instinct crushes and tumbles their freeze-dried raw with their kibble, ensuring raw is on every piece.

Instinct Raw Boost Dry Dog Food with Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces are made without fillers. These recipes are made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, or artificial colors or preservatives.

When Armant Dogs are healthy and active, every day is an adventure. That’s why Instinct Raw Boost is crafted with everything dogs need to thrive, starting with real protein as the first ingredient.

How Much Should an Armant Dog Puppy Eat? 

The Armant Dog is a large-sized breed whose pups under 12 weeks should get four bowls of food per day. When Armant Dogs become three months old, owners can feed them three meals per day until they reach six months, reducing the food intake to 2 meals per day. Only high-quality and branded puppy food is acceptable. Guidance for feeding puppies is listed below.

• Armant Dog puppies need slow, sustained growth to help prevent orthopedic problems, such as hip dysplasia. Raise them on a diet designed for large-breed puppies. Whatever diet you choose shouldn’t overemphasize protein, fat, and calorie levels.
• Armant Dogs should be fed according to a schedule, spreading meal times over two or three times per day. Getting the puppy accustomed to meals at specific times is better than leaving food out to allow feeding throughout the day.
• Armant Dogs with medical conditions like hypoglycemia or low blood sugar are the exceptions because they need to nibble bits of food throughout the day.
• Never feed your puppy from the table. It only encourages begging. Everyone in the family must follow this rule.

What are the common health problems of Armant Dogs?

Armant Dog is a healthy breed, but regular veterinarian checkups remain essential. The following list of health conditions should be monitored:

• Hip dysplasia is a deformation that occurs and develops as Armant Dog puppies grow. It is caused by loose joints that prevent the ball part of one bone from sliding smoothly in the socket of the other joint bone. Instead, it grinds and rubs in the joint, causing painful wear and tear damage as the Armant grows and becomes heavier. Although it could start in puppyhood, it usually only becomes evident in adult dogs, making annual medical examinations crucial.
• Elbow Dysplasia is the most common cause of lameness in the forelimbs of active breeds like the Armant Sheepdog.
• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) or Gastric Torsion is also known as ‘bloat’, A life-threatening disorder that happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. This is an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.
• Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint condition in which the bone underneath the cartilage of a joint dies due to lack of blood flow. This bone and cartilage can then break loose, causing pain and possibly hindering your Herding Dog’s joint motion.
• Demodicosis is a form of mange caused by mites.
• Muscle strains and injuries happen to any dog that works for a living. The Armant dog will have a higher chance of developing injuries over their lifetime than will companion animals or show dogs. Most commonly, they will be seen at a veterinary clinic for lacerations, claw injuries, soft tissue injuries, and fractures.

What are the nutritional needs of Armant Dogs?

The nutritional needs of an Armant Dog include high levels of specific nutrients. The essential nutrients for the Armant Dog are listed below.

• Protein: Armant Dogs need natural animal protein, valuable for the amino acids they contain essential for Armant Dog’s health. Equally important is the fact that protein builds lean muscles and provides energy.
• Fat: Animal protein provides adequate fat, an additional energy source that boosts the Armant Dog’s metabolism. However, there is a fine line between enough and too much. Excessive fat levels in the dog’s daily diet could result in weight gain and, ultimately, obesity. Most importantly, adults and senior Armant Dogs need lower fat levels than puppies.
• Carbohydrates: Although carbs are not essential nutrients, they are crucial energy sources. Giving the Armant Dog sufficient carbs will provide energy, encouraging the body’s protein absorption to build lean muscle. Beware, though, too much carbohydrate can lead to obesity.
• DHA: DHA is one of the components of omega-3 fatty acids. It promotes proper eye and brain development in Armant puppies, and DHA develops cognitive development in puppies and slows cognitive decline in older dogs. Furthermore, omega fatty acids benefit aging dogs by treating chronic kidney disease and canine arthritis. Omega-3 oils improve the coat health of the Armant Shepherd Dog.
• Micronutrient: Taurine is one micronutrient that aids heart health and other valuable micronutrients for promoting strong joints in Armant Dogs are chondroitin and glucosamine.
• Minerals: Beneficial minerals for an Armant Dog’s growth include a healthy balance of phosphorus and calcium. Pre- and probiotics and chelated minerals provide additional health to the diets of Armant Dogs.

Where to Buy or Adopt an Armant Dog?

The American Rare Breed Association and the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognize the Egyptian Armant breed. Finding an Armant puppy will also be challenging, as this is a rare breed. Apart from the relatively high price, a potential owner has to be prepared to be put on a long waiting list. However, based on other rare breeds, the Armant’s price will likely be anything up to $4800, and for puppies with sought-after bloodlines, prices could be as high as $6,000.

If you manage to track down Armant Dog breeders, make sure you go to the facility and insist on meeting both the puppies’ parents so that you can get a feel for their temperament. Armant Dog puppies are often peppy and playful—all should have cheery expressions and kind eyes.

The best way to ensure you get a healthy Egyptian Armant puppy from a breeder or a rescue organization is to reach out to the registered organizations for the specific breed, if available. Below are two options that might assist anyone interested in purchasing an Armant puppy.

• The Egyptian Kennel Federation EKF (Cairo) is the supreme authority for canine culture in Egypt. Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the EKF is a member of the FCI including FCI Asia, Africa & Oceania section – A2O and FCI Mediterranean Cynological Union – MCU
• The American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) is a kennel club for owners and fanciers of dog breeds and types not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

It might take some time to find a legitimate breeder, and travel may very well be in the cards. Steer clear of backyard breeding by avoiding sales sites and ad pages. When you select a breeder, make sure they have proof of successful, healthy litters with any documentation necessary.

Although you might find an Armant puppy or a rescued adult to adopt or buy from abroad, not all countries allow importing adopted dogs. Those whose countries allow the importation of Armant Dogs may find the logistics challenging. Procedures include obtaining certification from a vet to prove the Armant Dog is fully vaccinated and providing all the additional required veterinary documents before the travel. Furthermore, your country must approve the veterinarian to authorize the importation, and it will be your responsibility to ensure you use the services of a certified vet.

How to Name an Armant Dog?

Naming an Armant Dog might require different criteria than new Armant puppy parents might expect. It is never the actual name the pup responds to; instead, it is the sound and how it is said. There might be a specific inspiration like history, a movie, nature, or the night sky, and in the case of the Armant Dogs, why not use the pup’s Egyptian roots as inspiration. 

The building blocks for naming an Armant Herding Dog include the significance of the sound. The Armant’s name will mean something to the humans in the dog’s life, but as far as your canine companion goes, only the sound matters. Armants respond best to two-syllable names that are not short enough to be confused with single-syllable command words like “sit,” stay,” “come,” and “down.” However, the names should not be long enough to become puzzling.

Choose a name that could sound different in regular interaction than when calling your Armant. It might be a good idea to call out a name you like and check your Armant pup’s reaction. Be creative use a different tone for each syllable. Don’t rush; try several, and if your favorite name is too long or too short, add or remove bits until you have composed the perfect unique sound that your precious pup will recognize from a distance. 

Take a mental trip to Egypt, where rich history and a wealth of mythical beings provide lots of interesting and original options that are sure to stand out at the dog park.

Below are a few suggestions for boy and girl names to honor your puppy’s roots? 

What Dog Breeds are Similar to the Armant Dog?

The Armant breed’s origins are somewhat sketchy. One theory is that the Ermenti Herding Dog was developed by breeding the Bearded Collie and the Newfoundland with Egyptian farm dogs that descended from European herding breeds. This idea came from the physical similarities these breeds have with the Armant. Some of the similarities are listed below.

Bearded Collie: The Egyptian Armant is slightly larger in weight and height than the Scottish Bearded Collie, although they share several other traits, the first of which is both being working dogs. Their lifespans are similar, and their coats are long with more than average shedding. Although they are working dogs, they have evolved into wonderful house pets and companion dogs, good with families, children, and pets, but wary of strange people and other dogs. The Bearded Collie and the Armant are affectionate, playful, loyal, protective, independent, and intelligent.

Newfoundland: Unlike the Egyptian Armant Sheep Dog, the Canadian Newfoundland dog is classified as a giant breed. However, the two breeds have similarities that could indicate why some people believe the Newfoundland contributed to the development of the Egyptian Armant. Both are working dogs and have thick double coats, with more than moderate shedding and high maintenance. These two breeds are easy to train and good family pets. With adequate socialization, they can be your best companion dogs ever, kid and pet friendly, but wary of strange dogs and strange humans.