Because May is Africa Month, dotsure.co.za is celebrating the adorable, furballs the world first fell in love with on the African continent!
Move over Big-5, there are new attractions in town!
This is not just a list of hounds whose lineage traces back to the African continent. If you love, live, and breathe local, and are currently looking for an adorable pooch to pet, this is the list for you.
Boerboels
Boerboels' physical strength is only matched by the strength of their devotion to their homes and families. And they are most happy when they are out doing this chore or that.
- They adapt well to family life, but do not thrive in apartment living conditions.
- They are friendly to pets they know, kids, and strangers, but can be confrontational with unfamiliar pets.
ORIGIN: South Africa
LIFE SPAN: 9 to 11 years
TEMPERAMENT: Courageous, alert and protective.
The Saluki
Bred for speed, strength, and endurance, they have all the qualities to become the great hunters they were born to be. It’s purported that Pharaohs hunted gazelle and hares with Salukis. Such was the Egyptian’s love for the Saluki that the dogs were frequently honoured with mummification after their deaths.
ORIGIN: Egypt
HEIGHT: 23 to 28 inches (male), females tend to be smaller
WEIGHT: 40 to 65 pounds
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 17 years
TEMPERAMENT: Aloof, intelligent, reserved and quiet.
The Africanis
Photo credit: Taken by Rudolph Botha, 2005/12/04, Pretoria, SA.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africanis
This one is for the underdog. They’re ordinary-looking medium-sized dogs, sometimes scrawny, with long snouts, pointed ears, short brownish coats and springy curled-up tails. They’ve been dismissed as mongrels, strays, and street dogs – but they have hearts of gold
- They adapt well to family, but need to be walked daily if they are to adapt well to apartment living.
- They are friendly to other pets, kids, and strangers.
ORIGIN: Southern Africa
LIFE SPAN: 9 to 12 years
TEMPERAMENT: Territorial, watchful, friendly, independent and trainable.
The Basenji
Well known as the "barkless" dog from Africa, the Basenji attracts admirers with its short coat, small, muscular body, alert demeanour, erect ears, and tail curled tightly over one hip. A wrinkled brow gives it a quizzical and sometimes mischievous expression.
Basenjis normally do not bark, but they can be very noisy, making sounds that include yodels, whines, and screams. They do not do well in homes with other small pets, as their instinct to chase may take over.
- Not recommended for homes with hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, guinea pigs, birds, or ferrets as pets.
ORIGIN: Congo region of West Africa
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years
TEMPERAMENT: Energetic, clever, stubborn and independent.
The Coton de Tuléar
Cotons, are loving, adaptable dogs who get along with just about everybody. That includes kids and other dogs! And it doesn’t hurt that they are the cutest little thing in the world.
- They adapt well to family and apartment living.
- Friendly to other pets, kids and strangers.
ORIGIN: Madagascar
LIFE SPAN: 14 to 16 years
TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, playful, intelligent, lively, vocal and trainable.
5 other notable mentions
Azawakh
ORIGIN: West Africa
LIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Refined, attentive, aloof, gentle and playful.
The Rhodesian ridgeback
ORIGIN: South Africa
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 13 years
TEMPERAMENT: Protective, social, gentle and quiet.
Aidi
Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidi
ORIGIN: North Africa
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years
TEMPERAMENT: Protective, energetic, sensitive and agile.
Sloughi
Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloughi
ORIGIN: North Africa
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Independent, attentive, sensitive, intelligent and loyal.
Abyssinian Sand Terrier
ORIGIN: Africa
LIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Brave, loyal, willing, affectionate, protective, peaceful and quiet.