Top 11 Dog breeds originating in Africa
A basic variety of landrace dog is found distributed across Africa. Within this broad grouping there are regional variations, believed to be the result of isolation and, to a limited degree, deliberate breeding.
1.Boerboel
The Boerboel, pronounced as boo-r-bull, is an enormous mastiff that originates from South Africa. The ''Boer' in Boerboel means 'farmer' in Dutch, while the 'boel' is the slang name for a dog. It is known to be one of the strongest and most powerful guard dogs. This is a species that requires its owner to be patient when it comes to training; otherwise, it might end up devouring anything and anyone. With the kind of training, Boerbels tend to portray a calm nature, especially to its master.
Breed Overview
Other name:South African mastiff
Origin:South Africa
Height:21-27inches
Weight:60-79kgs
Coat:Short & Smooth
colour:All Shades of red,brown,fawn,brindle
Life Span:10-12Years
2.Africanis
The name "Africanis" has been given to these dogs, found in southern Africa.Some modern writers describe the Africanis as a pariah dog. This is considered an inappropriate classification, as the term typically denotes an ownerless,free-ranging dog. Considered a landrace with limited human interference in their breeding, the Africanis has also been maintained by human owners.
Breed Overview
Other name:African Dog or Zulu Dog
Origin:South Africa
Height:20-24inches
Weight:60-79kgs
Coat:Short & Compact
colour:All colours or combinations of colours, particularly brown, brindle, black or white
Life Span:10-12Years
3.saluki
The modern Saluki has retained qualities of hunting hounds and may seem reserved to strangers. The often independent and aloof breed may be difficult to train, and they generally cannot be trusted to return to their owner when off-leash. Training methods have been recommended to be always gentle and patient. Salukis may bore easily and are not an ideal breed to leave unattended for long periods; however, they are well-suited to life in apartments, since they are generally quiet and calm as adults.[18] The saluki does not typically enjoy rough games or activities such as retrieving balls, but does enjoy soft toys. Early socialisation will help prevent timidity and shyness in later life. Given its hunting instincts, the dog is prone to chasing moving objects, such as cats, birds, squirrels, and bugs.
Breed Overview
Other name:Kurdish Saluki
Origin: Fertile Crescen or west of Iran
Height:23-28inches
Weight:18-27kgs
Coat:Short & Feathered
colour: particularly white, cream, fawn, red, grizzle/tan, black/tan, and tri-color (white, black and tan)
Life Span:12-14Years
4.Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog breed bred in the Southern Africa region.Its forebears can be traced to the ridged hunting and guarding dogs of the Khoikhoi, which were crossed with European dogs by the early colonists of the Cape Colony of southern Africa.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known to be loyal and intelligent. They are typically somewhat aloof to strangers; this is not to be confused with aggression, a Rhodesian Ridgeback with a good temperament will not attack a stranger for no reason. They require consistent training and correct socialization; they are often not the best choice for inexperienced dog owners.
Breed Overview
Other name:Ridgeback
Origin:Southern Africa
Height:25-31inches
Weight:40-60kgs
Coat:Short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance
colour: Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes is permissible. A dark muzzle and ears permissible.Two nose colors are permissible, black and liver.
Life Span:11-13Years
5.Aidi
The Aidi (Berber for dog) is recognized as coming from North Africa (Atlas Mountains of Morocco). The Aidi is energetic and highly protective and is said to make an outstanding watchdog. It is a powerful dog that is also agile, alert, and ready for action. As it is a sensitive breed, the dog needs to be given appropriate training from a very young age. It needs to be exposed to as many social conditions as possible so that it makes an ideal family pet.
Although the Aidi has been used primarily as a working dog, he has become more common as a house dog in the country. This breed also makes a good urban pet if he is given tasks and exercise enough to keep him satisfied and happy.
Breed Overview
Other name:Berber Dog or Atlas Mountains dog
Origin:Morocco
Height:20-24inches
Weight:20-25kgs
Coat: Thick, coarse coat of medium length
colour: white, black, black and white, pale red, and tawny
Life Span:10-12Years
6.Sloughi
The Sloughi is a primitive breed that bonds extremely closely with its owner or family from an early age. They are unlikely to be exceedingly shy or aggressive. Choosing a puppy from a reputable breeder and proper socialization from puppyhood are important to help to ensure a happy and well adjusted adult. A well bred and well socialized Sloughi is a stable, attentive, and exceedingly loving family member
The Sloughi's character is also tender and intelligent and they are sensitive to correction. They must be trained with methods that are also intelligent and sensitive. Heavy-handed or corporal training methods are not effective for any breed, but they are especially deleterious to the character of sighthounds
Breed Overview
Other name:Arabian Greyhound, Sloughi Moghrebi
Origin:North Africa
Height:24-29inches
Weight:20-25kgs
Coat: Short hair; smooth coat
colour: color includes all shades of cream to red; coat may have brindle or black markings around the eyes or ears
Life Span:10-15Years
7.Basenji
Basenjis are small, short-haired dogs with erect ears, tightly curled tails and graceful necks. A Basenji's forehead is wrinkled, even more so when it is young or extremely excited.Basenjis are athletic dogs, and deceptively powerful for their size. They have a graceful, confident gait like a trotting horse, and skim the ground in a double suspension gallop, with their characteristic curled tail straightened out for greater balance when running at their top speed.
The Basenji is alert, energetic, curious and reserved with strangers. The Basenji tends to become emotionally attached to a single human. Basenjis may not get along with non-canine pets. Basenjis dislike wet weather, much like cats, and will often refuse to go outside in any sort of damp conditions. They like to climb, and can easily scale chain wire/link fences
Breed Overview
Other name :African barkless dog, Ango angari
Origin:Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height:16-17inches
Weight:10-11kgs
Coat: short and fine
colour: red, black, tricolor, and brindle, and they all have white feet, chests and tail tips.
Life Span:14-16Years
8.Coton De Tulear
Multiple registries with differing standards describe the Coton de Tuléar, but it generally has very soft voluptuous hair (as opposed to fur),comparable to a cotton ball (hence its name in French, coton meaning cotton), a prominent black nose, large expressive eyes (usually covered by bangs), and somewhat short legs. The Coton de Tuléar's tail should curl over its back.
The Coton is a playful, affectionate, intelligent breed. Although generally quiet, it can become very vocal—grunting, barking, and making other noises when having fun. Cotons are known to have a habit of jumping up and walking on their hind legs to please people. Most Cotons love meeting new people and are very curious about new situations. Cotons are easy to train as they are very eager to please. Cotons love to swim, run, and play. They adapt well to any kind of living environment. A common trait of the Coton de Tulear behavior is to come alive in the evening.
Breed Overview
Other name :Coton, "Cotie"
Origin: Madagascar
Height:9.8-11.8inches
Weight:4-6kgs
Coat: medium-to-long, fluffy, cotton-like coat
colour: white (sometimes with tan markings); black and white; and tricolor
Life Span:14-16Years
9.Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese Crested Dog is a hairless breed of dog. Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog comes in two varieties, with and without hair, which can be born in the same litter: the Powderpuff and the Hairless.Powderpuffs enjoy getting outdoors for daily exercise, although they are not a high energy breed. They are great for apartment or city living, but being very versatile, also love country living and long hikes.
Being a very intelligent breed, this dog does well in obedience type sports. Consistency is a must, however this breed can be relatively sensitive and should have a gentle trainer. The Powderpuff is great at learning and performing tricks.
Breed Overview
Other name :Crested, Puff
Origin: China
Height:10-13inches
Weight:4-5kgs
Coat:pony-cut
colour: Any color or combination of colors
Life Span:12-14Years
10.Azawakh
Slim and elegant, with bone structure and muscles showing through thin skin. Eyes are almond-shaped. The coat is very short and almost absent on the belly. Its bone structure shows clearly through the skin and musculature. Its muscles are "dry", meaning that they are quite flat, unlike the Greyhound and Whippet. In this respect it is similar in type to the Saluki.
Breed Overview
Other name :Idi Hanshee, Oska Rawondu,Bareeru Wulo
Origin: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso
Height:25-29inches
Weight:20-25kgs
Coat:pony-cut
colour: Any color or combination of colors
Life Span:10-12Years
11.African Wild Dog
The African wild dog is a highly social animal, living in packs with separate dominance hierarchies for males and females. Uniquely among social carnivores, the females rather than the males disperse from the natal pack once sexually mature.
