10 Breeds Of Dogs From Africa

There’s a good chance that you would see some of the same dogs in Africa today if you traveled back in time to 4,000 B.C. African dog breeds differ from the majority of dog breeds from America or Europe because of this. While the majority of dog breeds in Europe were developed by humans for particular functions or to satisfy purely aesthetic demands, African dog varieties spontaneously evolved to adapt to their habitats. That being said, there are also a number of African dogs out there that are the result of breeding with other, more modern dog breeds.

The dogs in this list include both classic breeds and more contemporary canines that originated in Africa. Domesticated dogs lived in Africa as early as 4,000 B.C., according to fossils and cave etchings. And what’s even cooler is that these canines resemble modern African breeds nearly identically! These breeds are revered for their amazing beauty and toughness, as well as their genetic resilience. Many African dog breeds are also known for being extremely loyal to their families and serving as strong hunting dogs.

Let’s take a look at some dogs from Africa and what makes them so special. But first, let’s look at some common traits of African dogs.

Common Traits Of Dogs From Africa

The climate of Africa should not be taken lightly. The Sahara Desert’s scorching, punishing heat is one thing, but northeast South Africa’s wet, subtropical climate is quite another. African dog breeds evolved to have short coats to keep them cool in the sun, much as Siberian dog breeds have acquired thick coats to keep them warm in the tundra. Nearly all dogs from Africa can adapt to a range of temperatures and terrain, and many are quite skinny with long, bony legs.

Unwavering loyalty runs strongly across many different African dog breeds. Consider what it would have been like to live in tiny societies thousands of years ago, knowing that lions and other predators were just waiting for you to slip up! You would want a canine companion at your side that is smart as well as loyal. Several African breeds possess this kind of bravery and fearlessness, as well as the athleticism necessary to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

Because of this connection, many dog owners in ancient Africa treated their furry friends as real members of the family. As a result, many African dog breeds today are known for doing great with kids and for being very affectionate. However, since they care deeply about their community, this trait may make them apprehensive of outsiders. Given their size and physical strength as adults, early socialization and strict discipline are crucial to rearing a happy, healthy, and well-behaved pet.

Let’s get the nitty gritty on some African dog breeds, shall we?

1. Saluki Dog

The Saluki is a slim dog with a maximum height of 28 inches and a maximum weight of 65 pounds. They have a coat that can be white, fawn, gold, or tan in color, and it can be smooth or somewhat feathered.

The first thing you’ll notice about a Saluki is how tall and lean they look. Salukis are exceptionally powerful, balanced, and athletic while still being fairly small dogs. According to historians, the breed is among the oldest in the world and may have existed as early as 7,000 B.C. 

Salukis were beloved throughout history by Egyptian pharaohs and monarchs, and their exquisite beauty is perhaps the reason they are still in demand as pets today. In 1927, the Saluki gained formal recognition from the American Kennel Club, signaling an increase in popularity in the United States.

2. Basenji Dog

The basenji, one of the most well-known African dog breeds, is a small-sized dog. They can weigh up to 24 pounds and stand up to 17 inches tall. They have short, shiny coats with white interspersed with a black, brown, brindle, or red coloration. Their almond-shaped eyes are framed by wrinkled eyebrows and they have enormous ears that are always perked up.

The basenji is also known as Africa’s barkless dog. Instead, this breed uses a sound that can only be described as yodeling or wailing to communicate, not unlike the husky. The basenji is often referred to as more feline than canine. They are careful and graceful, and they groom themselves in a manner similar to cats. Dogs of this breed are praised for being independent, intelligent, and poised. They also enjoy cuddling up to their younger relatives and are great with kids.

Basenjis are very active canines that hunt rabbits as a profession and require an active household. They are sometimes referred to as Congo terriers since they are descended from the Congo. They are among the world’s oldest dog breeds and Egyptian pharaohs once received them as gifts.

3. African Wild Dog

This is a distinct species of dog known as Lycaon pictus, not a particular dog breed. The African wild dog has a maximum height of 30 inches and a maximum weight of 70 pounds. Their distinctive spotted patterns and tufts of red, black, yellow, or white fur make them very easy to recognize from their domesticated cousins.

The African wild dog, often called the painted dog or painted wolf, is a rare canine species that usually prowl the plains and woods of sub-Saharan Africa in packs. These wolf-like wild canines are not tamed and are found across Africa. They go for antelope, mice, birds, and occasionally even vast herds of wildebeest when in need of a meal. Unfortunately, a lot of African wild dogs are killed by hunters and farmers because of their aggressive disposition. As a result, these wild dogs are a threatened species.

4. Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian ridgeback originates in Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia. Since they were so effective at fighting lions and were able to scare them away from their owners, this breed was previously known as the African lion dog. They are pretty big canines, reaching heights of 27 inches and weighing up to 85 pounds. Their most recognizable characteristic is the ridge of stiff hair that runs down the length of their spine and in an opposite direction from the rest of their coat. This breed looks lovely with its long, floppy ears and big, wide eyes. Several ridgeback mixes, such as the Rhodesian retriever, are also becoming popular as pets today.

They were excellent guard dogs as well as terrific hunters that would kill and eat antelope. These are active dogs that require a lot of activity to keep them content. The Rhodesian ridgeback is a friendly and patient dog who enjoys snuggling with its family in the evenings, despite its intimidating and serious appearance. It is often wary of outsiders and fiercely devoted to its family. This is a dominating dog with a strong personality that requires a master with a strong personality as well.

5. Azawakh Dog

The most uncommon dog breed in America in terms of popularity is the Azawakh, which is even rarer than the Sloughi. While being the same height and having a similar appearance to the Sloughi, the Azawakh dog weighs substantially less, usually between 40 and 55 pounds. It is naturally quite thin, so don’t stress too much about its weight. Brindle and white are the most common colors of this dog’s coat, along with other earthy tones including brown, sandy, and red. Its long, floppy ears are usually the full length of this dog’s face. They’re quite cute in addition to having a very stoic appearance.

Similar to the Sloughi, this slender dog is a superb sighthound that has spent many years pursuing gazelle across the Sahara desert. If you are fortunate enough to adopt this hunting dog, be sure to keep them on a leash. They are lovely and quite affectionate when raised as pets, so if you’re looking for a companion dog, the Azawakh is a good choice. While autonomous and devoted, they can be difficult to train even as puppies. Among their families, they are entertaining and amusing, yet they tend to be timid toward strangers.

6. Aidi Dog

The Aidi is also known as the Atlas mountain dog. This breed has a maximum height of 24 inches and a maximum weight of 55 pounds. It has a very dense, coarse coat of fur that can be any color, including black, red, and tawny.

Although coming from the usually hot continent of Africa, the Aidi’s coat is thick, dense, and pleasant to the touch. One of the reasons the Aidi reminds owners so much of classic sheepdogs is its soft coat. In order to safeguard its owners from predators in the highlands where they worked, the breed was initially created in the cooler-weathered African country of Morocco. Aidis have gained popularity as pets because they are smart, devoted, and very protective of children.

This breed continues to demonstrate its superiority in North Africa even though the American Kennel Club does not yet recognize it. Nonetheless, it is recognized by a number of other canine organizations.

7. Africanis

All South African native canines are collectively referred to as Africanis. These canines range in size from medium to giant and weigh between 50 and 110 pounds on average. They require weekly brushing of their short coat and have a tendency to shed quite a bit. There is no breed standard for Africanis since they are a wild dog breed whose look changes from place to place more than others. That being said, they typically have large ears, long legs, and a deep chest, and they are undoubtedly beautiful dogs.

Africanis dogs were perceived in the 1990s as wild hybrid animals. The Africanis Society has worked extensively with locals to improve the reputation of these canines. Despite the fact that they are still not very well known, many African families are learning about and respecting them, and even keeping them as pets.

If you are fortunate enough to acquire one of these intelligent hunting dogs, you must realize that it will always be a hunting dog by nature. Because of this, you’ll have to always keep this fast runner on a leash. These canines will require plenty of space because they are independent street dogs that are not particularly affectionate. Outside of Africa, they are quite rare in the pet trade.

8. Boerboel Dog

The Boerboel dog can grow to be 27 inches tall and weigh a massive 200 pounds. They have a very short, thick coat that might be brown, fawn, red, brindle, or even piebald. They are distinguished by their very big, chiseled heads and dark eyes.

Due to their bulky, muscular look and blocky head, Boerboels are sometimes mistaken for cane corsos or any other mastiff-type dog. Despite their menacing appearance, Boerboels are gentle giants that make clever and devoted friends and are especially good with children. The breed was created by cross-breeding between African lineages and European guard dogs, such as bull and mastiff types. Due to its brave demeanor and protective character, farmers retained the Boerboel, which translated means “farmer’s dog.”

9. Sloughi Dog

Sloughi dogs can be up to 29 inches tall and 70 pounds in weight. The sloughi is a lanky, slender dog, but it has strong muscles that allow it to grab its prey. They have long, slender tails with curled tips. They hold themselves with dignity and grace, and they have deep chests and lengthy features.

The fact that the sloughi is among the top dog breeds in America demonstrates how unique and loved they are. Nevertheless, they are considerably more common as pets in North Africa, particularly in the mountainous regions of Morocco. They are sighthounds and resemble the more well-known greyhound in both appearance and behavior. Because of this, this breed is sometimes referred to as the Arabian greyhound.

To expend their explosive energy, they require a lot of activity, especially high-intensity exercise. You will need to constantly keep this breed on a leash because of their tremendous prey drive. They are lovey and tons of fun to have at home and are incredibly affectionate with their family.

10. Pharaoh Hound

The medium-sized Pharaoh hound stands 25 inches tall and can weigh up to 55 pounds. They have enormous ears that appear to be far too big for their heads, like many dogs on this list, but this only adds to their regal beauty. Their short coats have reddish or golden undertones. They are often easy to take care of and require minimal upkeep.

Pharaoh hounds are raised to hunt persistently under harsh conditions. They keep going till they succeed. They are amiable and make wonderful companion animals. Dogs of this breed don’t make good security dogs, though, since they are also fairly laid-back. Also, they dislike being left alone for extended periods of time.

How cool are these dogs from Africa? If you’re looking for an African dog breed, most of the entries on this list would make an excellent addition to your family!

Summary Of 10 Breeds Of Dogs From Africa