55-100 lbs
20-24"
Africa
The Africanis is a South African dog that was once considered a mongrel and treated with disdain. While there’s still a feral population in their home country today, the Africanis dog has grown in status. They’ve also developed into becoming a popular family pet due to their playful and friendly nature.
In this guide to the Africanis, you’ll learn:
The Africanis is one of the best known dog breeds from South Africa. While the breed still lives near the rural towns where they originated, since the late 1990s their status has improved and they’ve since become one of few domesticated dogs from Africa.
If you want to buy an Africanis puppy then you might expect to pay around $500 from a reputable breeder, though these aren’t always easy to find in the US; the Africanis isn’t officially recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Another option is to rehome a rescue Africanis dog, if you can find one. Bear in mind that there are many other breeds which are more popular and readily available in the USA.
This breed is generally very healthy and hardy, with an average Africanis lifespan of up to 12 years.
Are you considering getting an Africanis? If so, you’ll want to know they are covered for any unexpected health issues. Check out the best pet insurance plans - it’s quick and easy to browse and compare top providers.
The Canis Africanis breed developed naturally in South Africa with very little human interference.
There isn’t much known about the true ancestry of the Africanis dog. But, it’s believed they are likely to be descendants of the wild hounds and pariah dogs that lived in ancient Africa.
In 1998, a society dedicated to the conservation of this unique and primitive breed, the Africanis Society, was created by John Gallant, an ardent protector of the breed, and the former director of the National Cultural History Museum, Dr. Udo Küsel.
Unlike most breed societies, their intent is not to perfect the breed but to conserve and maintain the breed as it has developed naturally. Advanced DNA testing of registered dogs is standard, and the group maintains a code of ethics, as well as regulations and procedures for registration and breeding guidelines.
Today, many feral Africanis dogs still roam freely in the villages and surrounding areas of South Africa. They’re exceptionally friendly and naturally subservient and are a familiar sight in villages where a traditional South African lifestyle is still maintained.
They often work as guardians for both people and their livestock, as hunting dogs, and even as a herding dog in some instances.
As the Africanis developed naturally, there is much more variation within the breed than in most standardized breeds. But, while there is a great deal of variation from dog to dog, a comprehensive breed standard has been drawn up by the Africanis Society.
These are fairly large dogs who tend to be athletic and muscular but slender and streamlined. They have long, slender legs and are often slightly longer than they are tall. They have a wedge-shaped head similar to the ancient sighthounds and a long, cone-shaped muzzle.
Their medium-sized, V-shaped ears can be carried erect, semi-erect, or may droop. The oval-shaped eyes of the Africanis can come in any shade.
Their short, easy-to-manage coats are double-layered and can also come in any color or combination of colors. Although white, black, brown and tan are most common. They can also have a wide range of different markings.
There are recommendations against breeding those rare dogs with blue or double-colored eyes as well as blue or diluted color coats. This is discouraged for health purposes, as is the breeding of dogs with ridged backs.
The Africanis needs brushing every week or so with a slicker or gentle bristle brush. You can wipe them down with a wet washcloth, which will help to remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy and glossy. They only need to be bathed when necessary as this can strip natural oils from the dog’s coat, making them more susceptible to environmental hazards.
The ears of the Africanis dog should be checked regularly to ensure that they’re clean, dry, and free of debris or infection. You should also keep their nails trimmed and brush their teeth regularly.
The Africanis has a lot of stamina and energy and will typically need at least an hour to an hour and a half of vigorous exercise per day. While long walks and hikes are appreciated, these dogs are happiest if they are given frequent opportunities to stretch their legs and actually run.
Africanis are a very healthy breed, with very few health concerns that you need to be aware of.
There is only one major concern with this breed is and that is:
They may occasionally be diagnosed with entropion or ectropion, which are both eye conditions.
Due to their history of living in difficult environments, over the years they have developed a natural immunity to parasites and are generally very healthy. But, they can be susceptible to diseases like distemper, parvovirus and rabies.
Does your pet insurance cover conditions such as dermoid sinus? Browse and compare top pet insurance providers to ensure you have the best cover for your dog.
Dermoid sinus is a neural tube defect. It’s usually found along a dog’s back, neck and tail. It’s prevalent in Ridgeback breeds and, even if it’s discovered later in life, it will have been there since birth. When these tubes aren’t working properly they can become infected and inflamed. Symptoms can vary but one to look out for is the hair in a swirl pattern along an opening on the back — this can usually be seen from around three weeks.
There are five types, identified by the severity. Surgery is likely to be required to treat them.
There’s much variation in this landrace breed. Certain standards have been put in place to prevent the spread of certain genetic disorders, such as issues with dermoid sinus in dogs with ridged backs.
Africanis are historically used to quite a low-quality diet but this certainly doesn’t mean you should feed them one.
They’re an energetic and athletic breed so should be fed a high-quality diet, with protein as the main ingredient. You should look for food that is formulated for medium to large dogs.
Puppies should be fed up to four meals a day and this can be reduced to two meals once they are adults. You can feed them treats, especially when training, but take this into account when serving up their food.
It’s important your dog has a good diet to keep them looking and feeling happy and healthy. To help, check out our friends over at Dog Food Advisor for advice including the best dry food brands and the best wet dog food.
The Africanis have a friendly but cautious nature. While they are generally very patient and friendly with people of all ages, they do require some space. Too much physical contact and they can sometimes become uncomfortable and if pushed can occasionally become reactive.
Although all interactions between canines and children should be supervised, the Africanis dogs are particularly patient and playful with children and can typically be trusted to be gentle. They tend to be amicable with other dogs and although they’re watchful and would alert you to an intrusion, they’re not generally aggressive canines unless their family is directly threatened.
These dogs are independent thinkers who are able to come up with creative solutions to their problems, and therefore need mental stimulation. Fortunately, they’re also highly intelligent and eager to please, so can be easily trained when positive training methods are used.
Written by Ellie Roddy
Published: 05/18/2018, edited: 12/05/2023
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