13 African Dog Breeds With Unique Histories
13 African Dog Breeds With Unique Histories
As a continent, Africa is home to so many different types of terrain. The area has mountains, deserts, plains, and more. As a result, the many African dog breeds are uniquely suited to the countries that they come from. Some dogs have no hair to stay cool in the hear. Some dogs are tan in color to blend into the surroundings. Some have long legs to hunt gazelles.
Some of the world's oldest dogs come from Africa, with one breed believed to be from 7000 BC. Ancient versions of today's modern dogs were even used by pharaohs in Egypt as companions and hunting dogs. That's the big thing with breeds from African countries — they are pretty much all hunting dogs or guard dogs to keep owners safe from lions and hyenas, rid of rodents, and stocked with food from their hunts. This differs from say, Chinese dog breeds, which were often used as sleeve warmers or companions for royals versus working, hunting dogs.
Keep reading to learn about the various African dog breeds, and how some ancient dogs evolved into the popular pooches we know today.
Basenji
According to Dog Time, this dog breed originally comes from the Congo where it helped control rodent populations in villages and help drive small game into hunting nets. The Basenji is also known as the "African barkless dog," because it produces yodels and screams instead of traditional barks.
Sloughi
Per Vetstreet, the Sloughi breed stems from North Africa and the nomadic Berber people. They could be found in parts of Africa like Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria, and they have a keen hunting sense. The dog actually didn't make its way over to the US until 1973 and was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2016.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Also known as the "African Lion Dog," Rhodesian Ridgebacks helped guard people from lions. They come from South Africa and are known to travel long distances. And any dog that can face off against a lion is seriously impressive.
Azawakh
The Azawakh stems from West Africa in places like Mali and Niger. Also known as a "slighthound," this dog would hunt gazelles in the Saharan desert and could withstand the burning temperatures of the sand.
Abyssinian Sand Terrier
Also known as the "African Hairless Dog," these pups don't grow fur like other dogs. The dog's main name of "Abyssinian" suggests that they came from Abyssinia, or modern day Ethiopia.
Chinese Crested
Don't be fooled by the name, because it's believed by many that the Chinese Crested has roots in Africa. The AKC reports that larger hairless dogs may have been taken from Africa to China, where they were then bred down in size.
Boerboel
This dog also goes by the name South African Mastiff. They were used as farm dogs, meant to keep hyenas and lions away from villagers. They could also hunt big game, since they can ring in at 150 to 200 pounds.
AfriCanis
AfriCanis is a term for a land race of aboriginal dogs native to Southern Africa. They're often used by villagers as companions and to help guard livestock, but they don't necessarily perform as pets in the traditional American sense. Over time, they have evolved to withstand the area's unique weather, terrain, pests, and more.
Coton de Tulear
According to Dogtime, the Coton de Tulear arrived in Madagascar when a shipwreck stranded them there. It's believed that they might have been rat deterrents aboard the doomed vessel. Once the breed arrived in Madagascar, they became favorite pets for the royal and wealthy. Dog Time says that it wasn't until the 1970s that they were taken from Africa to Europe and established as a breed.
Aidi
This shaggy pup comes from Morocco where it was used as a hunting and guard dog. Although many dogs from Africa have short coats, the Aidi's long fur protects it from both the elements and predators.
Greyhound
The modern Greyhound has ancestral roots in Egypt, according to the AKC. The lineage extends back 5,000 years as the dogs of choice for pharaohs. Their long legs helped them speedily hunt wildlife in the desert.
Saluki
Salukis are considered by some to be the world's oldest dog breed. The AKC reports that their roots may go as far back as 7000 BC. They've been found in North Africa and Egypt, where they were also pharaohs' hunting dogs like greyhounds, per the AKC.
African Wild Dog
These animals may have "dog" in their name, but National Geographic reports that they differ by having only four toes per paw instead of five like domesticated dogs. They hunt in packs, taking down antelope and wildebeests in sub-Saharan Africa. They're also on the endangered species list.
Many modern day dogs descended from African breeds.