Armant Information & Dog Breed Facts

The Armant was developed almost exclusively as a working dog in Egypt sometimes in the early 1990s. The breed gets its name from the village of Armant where they seemed to be most prevalent. Some believe that the dog was first developed in that village, but there is no evidence to support this. Although each is based on little more than pure speculation, there is a number of theories about how the breed was developed.

Some people claim that the Armant is descended almost entirely from native Egyptian dogs. Herding dogs have a long history in Egypt than perhaps anywhere else in the world. Between 5000 and 7000 years ago, Egyptian relics such as statues, paintings, and tomb walls began to show several different types of dogs. These dogs were bred for specific purposes as each different-looking dog type is shown performing a different purpose. There were thin and fleet-footed sighthounds used for hunting. There were large Mastiff-type dogs used for battle and protection. There were also herding dogs that managed and defended the flocks of shepherds. Further evidence is provided from ancient dog cemeteries. The ancient Egyptians both cherished the dog as a companion and revered it for its connection to the god Anubis. Countless thousands of Egyptian dog mummies were discovered, many of which have had their names translated. In addition to names such as Blacky, and Antelope, many dogs possessed names such as Good Herdsman and Brave One. There are people who believe that the Armant might be descended from these first herding dogs. Believers point to evidence that suggests that the breed was present in Egypt since at least the 1400s. This theory is certainly possible, but there is a lack of evidence for it.

The other major theory concerning the origin of the Armant is that the breed descended from European dogs which were introduced into Egypt in the last two centuries. The breed is very similar in appearance to several French herding breeds, especially the Briard of France. Many claims that the breed came from crossing the Briard with other European dogs that were brought by Napoleon’s troops in 1789. Allegedly, these dogs accompanied the French army and were subsequently acquired by local farmers either through trade or when they were abandoned in the French evacuation. Sadly, there is not that much evidence to support this theory, but it could be true.

A third theory claims that the Armant is one of the ancestors of the Bearded Collie based on an alleged similarity between the two breeds. However, this theory is probably completely false based on the age of the Bearded Collie and the likelihood of Egyptian dogs making their way to Scotland at the time that breed developed. However, it is much more likely that the British imported their herding dogs to Egypt. The British maintained a substantial trading and military presence in Egypt for a number of decades.

Furthermore, although rarely discussed, the Armant could also be a result of much earlier introductions of European dogs. Both the Romans and the Greeks occupied Egypt numerous times, and both possessed highly protective herding dogs which they were known to have brought to Egypt such as the Molossus and the Roman Cattle Driving Dog.

The Armant is almost certainly the result of crossing many different breeds together over time. Farmers of Egypt bred their herding dogs almost solely for working ability. If a dog was a superior livestock worker, it would probably be used for breeding regardless of its appearance or origin. This suggests that the Armant is probably a descendant of both Egyptian and European herding dogs. The breed served its masters primarily as a herding dog, tasked with rounding up stray sheep and goats, keeping flocks unified, and moving them wherever the farmer needed them to go. The breed also served as a guardian, when a predator approached the flock, the dog would first bark to alert the shepherds and then move in to drive off the invader itself.  However, according to Islamic tradition, dogs are considered unclean and numerous restrictions were placed on them such as that they are not allowed to enter houses, so because of this, farmers would not let their Armants enter their homes. Moreover, at the beginning of the 20^th century, a succession of Egyptian governments have worked to modernize the country. The increased technology and industrialization led to a massive wave of urbanization, and this leads to both an increase in crime rates and a heightened public perception of crime. In order to defend themselves and their property, the Egyptian public turned to the use of guard dogs. The Armant became one of the most popular breeds as people loved it for its intense loyalty.

Although the breed is very popular in its homeland, the Armant is rarely seen outside of Egypt. There are a few Arman breeders in France and the Netherlands, and possibly in Belgium as well. Dog shows are still not popular in Egypt, and as a result, there has been little effort to standardize the breed. The Armand has not been recognized by any major national or international kennel clubs. Only smaller organizations have granted the breed recognition, including the Continental Kennel in the US.