Africa is a huge continent with 54 countries, covering a landmass of 12 million square miles. Africa is also known for unique animals like lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. But did you know that there are distinct African dog breeds not only reflecting the desires, tastes and preferences of their owners.
They also possess a number of adaptations that help them to thrive in the local climate. One thing is certain however African dog breeds are unique and beautiful each in their own wonderful way. For that in this article we've listed "Top 10 Amazing African Dog Breeds".
Chinese Crested Dog :
We're start our list with a bit of an enigma. The origin of the Chinese Crested dog is not entirely certain but the journal consensus that they're likely to have originated in Africa. They earned the Chinese portion of their name while serving as rat hunters on Chinese cargo ships. However researchers have found that the all hairless breeds share the same bit of genetic code that causes the hairless condition. This suggests that they all have a similar likely Central American relative who lived about four thousand years ago (1).
Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog :
This African breed is named in part for an African country. Although that country is now called Zimbabwe the second part of their name refers to the stripe of fur that adorns their backs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks were developed by crossing Feral African dogs with Great Danes, Mastiffs and a few other dogs of European ancestry. Initially conceived as a bird flushing breed hunters soon learned that they were also adept at hunting larger prey and buy larger. I mean king of the jungle larger (2).
Abyssinian Sand Terrier Dog :
Also called the African hairless dog the Abyssinian Sand Terrier is a smallish breed, who stands about 20 inches high and weighs up to 35 pounds. Some are completely devoid of hair but most of these dogs have a bit at the back of the skull and at the end of their tail. This is a very rare breed which isn't seen outside of Africa very often. They're thought to share ancestors with the Chinese Crested and Mexican Hairless dogs, but the finer points of their genealogy remains unknown (3).
Azawakh Dog :
The Azawakh wok is a bit of a rare breed you won't encounter very often at the local dog park. That's a shame as these African dogs can actually make very good pets especially for adults who live in relatively warm climates, like other site house including Afghans Salukis and Greyhounds. Azawakh walks our leggy and lead with long endearing faces and floppy ears. They love to run and they're just as fast as you would expect them to be. However Azawakhs actually do quite well in apartments, they're quiet and love to cuddle with their peeps making them perfect couch companions (4).
Atlas Mountain Dog :
Also called the Aidi the Atlas Mountain dog was originally developed in the Moroccan mountain range of the same name. Although they are originally a flock guarding breed they have an excellent sense of smell, so they're also used alongside Salukis to hunt. The Atlas mountain dogs would sniff out hiding prey which the speedy Salukis would then run down. They're sensitive and affectionate but they're very protective of their people and territory (5).
Also Read This : All Dog Breeds - Names and Pictures | Complete List of Dog Profiles
Coton De Tulear Dog :
Related to the Bichon Frise and Maltese the Cotton De Tulear is a short little dog with a long shaggy white coat. The biggest dogs may reach 15 pounds originally from Madagascar this little lapdog is as friendly as he is playful and he loves spending time with his family. Nevertheless these are excellent dogs for first-time owners and they're reasonably easy to train. Despite the fancy look of their coats Coton De Tulear don't require very much grooming. They don't need very much exercise and they adapt very well to apartment life (6).
Sloughi Dog :
Fee another sight hound from North Africa the slow fee is pretty similar to the Greyhound and Azawakh. Capable of reaching around two feet tall and weighing up to 65 pounds. The Sloughi projects in novel and impressive aura blast with long legs and a live bill these dogs were originally bred to run down speedy Brae. Sloughi are very loving with their families but they aren't terribly concerned with making friends during your daily walks, Sloughi also have a very active prey Drive (7).
Africanis Dog :
This is an umbrella name for various species of dogs that come from South Africa. As in fact the name suggests legend has it that these medium-sized dogs reaching a height of 50 to 60 centimeters and a weight of 25 to 45 kilograms have been around for seven thousand years. Since the Niel of the herdsman that came from the Middle East rocked them along in Africa. Being a very slender and muscled breed he's very quick and supple in his movements becoming fairly quick when it comes to running (8).
Boerboel Dog :
The Boerboel is a massive Mastiff that originated in South Africa. Incredibly heavy for their height some stayed only a bit over two feet tall weighing nearly 200 pounds. Boerboels were developed as guard dogs they were quite effective in such roles and they were brave enough and strong enough to defend their families from lions, hyenas and other large predators (9).
Like many other guarding breeds Boerboels are very loving and affectionate with their families. Their big slobbery sweethearts who are gentle with and tolerant of children but despite all of these wonderful traits they aren't particularly warm with strangers. When combined with their unthinkable strength and mass these traits make them inappropriate for novice owners.
Basenji Dog :
Basenji small canines who usually about 20 to 25 pounds and have cute little curlicue tails. Their heads and perpetually alert ears seem a bit large for their bodies. But they're cute nonetheless hailing from the Congo region these little dogs are bred to accompany hunters into the jungle. Where they'd flush out small prey, self-reliance, independence and intelligence are all prerequisites for the job and you can still see these traits in modern members of the breed (10).
