The history of the origin of the breed group, the standard of appearance of the Africanis, character, health, care, features of training, interesting facts, the acquisition of a puppy. These dogs are an untouched natural heritage of Africa. For a long time they have been indispensable helpers of people. Nature gave them a sharp mind, good adaptability to topographic and climatic conditions, strength, endurance and excellent immunity to many diseases. In addition, they have a great love for people and a desire to serve them. Their number is very small. In their native land, animals are very much loved and cherished like the apple of an eye. The flower of this continent must remain untouched by the hand of man. It was created by nature. After all, this is an integral part of the national traditions of African tribes.
History of the origin of Africanis
The name of this breed is translated as the dog of Africa. There is a hypothesis that these are the first domesticated dogs in the world. Finding and seeing Africanis at home is even more difficult than looking for a needle in a haystack. They are everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Because they are semi-wild, often stray animals. There are very few of these dogs left even in their homeland. In other countries, you will not find them at all.
Native canines were widespread throughout the world even before the official dog breeding system was established at the London Club in 1873. They helped people a lot and adapting to the regions where they lived. Further, they were subjected to selective selection by people.
The dog breeding system has only existed for 130 years. If you study the officially recognized breeds, you will understand from their name that a large percentage of preference is given to the native race of its origin. Many varieties have been obtained through selective selection and breeding of endemic species.
This means that the dog breeding system is aimed at reducing the variability of these species, and replacing them with standard cosmetically uniform breeds. As a result, people received many "purebred" representatives and lost most of the indigenous ones, which have existed for more than 13 thousand years since domestication.
But having received a certain exterior, it is not always possible to get an animal with good health. Almost every breed has its own genetic diseases peculiar only to them. For example, breeds such as pug, basset hound, sharpei, bulldog, bull terrier, mastino napoletano, collie, sheltie, welshkorgi, sembernard, boxer, great dane, pomeranian, schnauzers, terriers are very “gentle” animals in this regard. And the list goes on. This is what happens when a person interferes with the laws of nature to satisfy his invented whims and stereotypes.
Europeans are used to classifying dogs according to certain breeds. Africanis is not a breed, but a breed group. Their highlight is that this endemic canine is the result of natural selection of nature and the functional requirements of their original owners. These dogs are not alike. In the savannah or semi-desert, these are some dogs, somewhere in the green meadows of Lesotho they are different, in the foothills - still others. But in fact, they all belong to the same species.
In their homeland, there is a community of these dogs, which aims to keep the original species intact. Because selection according to standards and their classification will lead to a weakening of the resource of a healthy, naturally adapted mutation. The value of the natural adaptation of Africanis to the climatic and topographic conditions in their homeland will be lost, and will only be measured by a narrow range of exhibition requirements.
It makes no sense to row them with the same brush, because they are united by love for man, despite the fact that in the Zulu villages they lead a semi-wild existence. Animals are smart and intelligent. Life made them rely solely on their brains. If you think, you will survive. The breed is primitive, which means that it has gone through a long natural selection without human intervention. Nature has endowed them with physical strength and ingenuity.
These dogs appeared in Egypt 7000 years ago. The remains of these dogs were discovered by archaeologists in Maladi, Nabta Playa, Merim de beni salaam. Slowly, together with the caravans, they migrated to the South. About 2000 years ago, they reached the present territories of South Africa. Clay pots with images of dogs in collars and on leashes have been dug near Sudan. These invaluable finds are characteristic of Neolithic art. There is evidence that canines accompanied herding tribes of nomadic people into the Sahara Desert. Found drawings of rock art with scenes of hunting people with dogs in the mountains of Algeria. All these findings are subsidized 5700 years ago.
The researchers further suggest that these animals spread across West Africa and northern parts of Uganda and Kenya. The arrival of the early Iron Age, with its changed cultural values, helped them come along with people to Central and South Africa.
A group of archaeologists led by Dr. I. Plag in southern Africa (an early Iron Age site) found the bones of a domestic dog, which date back to 570 AD. Having studied their structure, scientists came to the conclusion that some canines were of a heavy build, others with a lighter bone. They were kept by the tribes along with cattle.
In the same period, there were migrations of barbarian tribes who came from the outskirts of Central Asia. Some of them were famous for the dogs they brought with them. The Africanis remained free of foreign gene contamination until the European colonists brought their dogs with them. Even so, due to different cultural traditions, the "exotic" contribution to the population of animals living in local tribes was minimal.
Africanis genes flow in such breeds as Basenji, Azawakh, South African Boerboel, Rhodesian Ridgeback - this is the only breed recognized by the International Association of Cynological Kennel Federations. Africanis is not to be found in cities and populous villages. The indigenous species of these canines live only in remote areas with African tribes preserving their traditions and culture. Their natural state is threatened by a constantly changing environment and the foundations of Eurocentric, rapidly spreading views among the local population, which classify them as useless mongrels.
There is a book called "The History of the African Dog" by Dr. Johan Galant. He and his team of researchers collected DNA from these dogs throughout Africa from North to South: in Boatswain, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Based on the research, it was concluded that each region had different breeding types of canines. Small dogs lived in deserts. The animals were larger and with thicker, thicker hairs in the mountains, because it was cold there. But according to DNA parameters, everyone belonged to the same breed.
These are not dogs of the same type, since the features of their exterior have slight differences. They are a real creation of nature, never undergoing selection. They were never bred. The Africanis Society is committed to preserving their ancient and vast gene pool as their primary concern.
Africanis external standard
Since the dog is endemic and the person did not interfere with its selection, the exterior of the Africanis can vary depending on the external conditions of living.
- Head - elongated in the shape of a wedge, has a flat and wide forehead.
- The muzzle is large, elongated. The transition from muzzle to forehead is smooth. The lips fit snugly together. Can extend to the lower jaw a lot. Pigmentation can be black, brown and flesh. The teeth are white with powerful canines. Scissor bite.
- Nose. The bridge of the nose is straight. The nose is large. In some individuals, it is slightly raised upward. It can be from light brown to black.
- Eyes Africanis are small, medium-sized. The colors are different: brown, black, amber, hazel.
- Ears some are sharp, others are rounded. Mostly slightly larger than average, hanging. But there may be standing ones.
- Neck - strong, slightly more than average, has a graceful curve.
- Frame - elongated, belly tucked up. The croup is sloping and slightly raised. Their size ranges from medium to larger. All dogs are mesomorphic.
- The tail is long, can reach the hocks. In some individuals, it bends slightly upward and shorter.
- Africanis limbs long, erect, parallel to each other. The hind ones are slightly higher than the front ones. The thigh and lower leg are strong and muscular.
- Paws. The fingers are long in the form of an arch. Sufficiently tightly pressed against each other. Nails can be either black or light pigmentation.
- Coat has a very large range. Some individuals may have a very short coat. Others have thicker and slightly longer hair on the neck, legs and tail. The type of hairline depends on the area from which the Africanis or his ancestors originated.
- Color. Their color scheme is very diverse: from white with yellow, beige, red to brown and black. Some have tiger stripes, others are spotted. The spots can be monochromatic, tricolor and bicolor, including brindle and speck. There are individuals of completely uniform colors throughout the hairline.
The character of the Africanis
These dogs are quite simple by nature. Their behavior is real, not distorted and vivid. Their most important feature is a strong attachment to a person and an inalienable desire to serve him. Indeed, for so many centuries they helped people to graze and drive cattle, guarded their property and got food with them. This love is manifested not intrusively. The appropriate attitude of the owner is highly appreciated by Africanists.
In demonstrating their desires, animals are not demanding and gentle. They are distinguished by exceptional ingenuity. They love training with the owner, especially when you need to show ingenuity and natural ingenuity. When confronted with seemingly impossible and highly complex tasks, researchers and breeders are amazed at the results.
Absolutely not aggressive. They have a very stable nervous organization. They can be used as guards, hunters, shepherds, companions and even nannies.
They find contact with almost all people from young to old. They are very sensitive to the mood of all family members. You don't even need to talk to them, they will understand everything by your look.
They need to be kept only in a private house, preferably outside the city. Africanis needs a lot of space. These dogs are not for city apartments. On rural lands and farms, they are irreplaceable helpers. They will be happy to do the work assigned to them, just to please the owner.
They carry out simple commands of general obedience with great pleasure. But there is one caveat. They do this exclusively on positive reinforcements - for affection and delicacy. You can just smile at this dog and it will perceive you in a completely different way. You cannot beat and punish them. You must be able to negotiate with them. And first of all to love.
Africanis dog health
These dogs have spent 7000 years in Africa. They have developed immunity to all African diseases. These are creatures absolutely adapted by nature, which have acquired resistance to local diseases and tolerance to internal and external parasites.
You do not need to vaccinate pets living in your homeland, but those that you take out of its borders are better vaccinated. Indeed, in other countries there may be new diseases to which they have not yet acquired immunity.
Antihelminthic procedures, protection from ticks and fleas are best done for all dogs on a regular basis. This will help them feel more comfortable. Antiparasitic pills and drops are selected according to the weight of the animal in zoo pharmacies.
Animal Care Tips
If the breed is aboriginal, then this does not mean that it does not need to be looked after. Of course, you will need less time for them than for show dogs. The pet is taught to all procedures from puppyhood. The dog should allow you to do various manipulations with it.
- Wool. They are rarely bathed. For water procedures, typed shampoos are used. You can wipe the coat with a damp cloth. They are combed out only during the molt period. Tools for manipulation are selected according to the type of coat.
- Ears. Constantly you need to inspect. Clean them only as they become dirty with lotion. If there are ticks in the ears, then treatment is carried out in the form of instillation with pharmaceutical preparations.
- Eyes Africanis, if necessary, wipe from the outer corner to the inner one with cotton pads soaked in soothing agents.
- Teeth … This is a dog created by nature. The enamel is quite strong, smooth and does not build up plaque on it. They can be cleaned only if urgently needed.
- Claws. Pets living in rural conditions do not need to shear them, as they grind them in a natural way. But for urban animals, it is better to cut off the claws from time to time with the help of claws.
- Feeding. The diet of Africanis should be 90% non-fatty meat of cattle or poultry. Moreover, the meat should be given raw. It can only be scalded with boiling water. The rest of the food may include cereals, vegetables and dairy products, eggs. Artificial food is not recommended for these dogs. But it is possible to enrich the diet with vitamins and minerals according to the state of their body.
- Walking. Keeping in the city is very exhausting for native dogs. They need to be kept on farms and farmland. They need space and the ability to move freely. Africanis should be involved in helping people. This can be hunting, guarding, or grazing.
Training and interesting facts about afikanis
They lend themselves well to training. And even very quickly pass the course of obedience for service dogs. But these animals need to be worked with only through encouragement. The choice of means for praising a pet is individual. Some love to be stroked, praised, others - a piece of delicious meat. In any case, with an affectionate, non-intrusive attitude, they will try to do exactly what you want them to do. On the hunt, they show natural ingenuity. You just need to do minimal training.
They are real intellectuals. Each of the breeders thinks their dogs are the best. Africanis scores the highest on intelligence tests. It is believed that only nature-bred dogs are the smartest. Indeed, in order to survive and adapt to the changing external conditions of existence, you need to have extraordinary thinking.
Acquisition of an aboriginal dog
It is hard to find a real Africanist even at home. These dogs can only be among the traditional tribal settlements of Africa. Therefore, it is impossible to name the price for a puppy. To acquire such a dog, you need to be patient and make the whole journey.
Of course, you shouldn't forget that these dogs should lead an active lifestyle. It is simply vital for them to help and serve a person. They are hard to bear the content in a city apartment. Therefore, if you do not have a country house and you cannot provide the dog with appropriate loads and the possibility of free movement, then this animal is not for you.
If you are lucky enough to become the happy owner of Africanis, then remember one thing, these are real children of nature who will always be your devoted helpers.
For more information about Africanis, see this video:
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