Africanis Care

The Africanis dog, according to most people in the world, is not a specific breed but a "landrace" (meaning no specific breed specifications exist). These dog types have existed among aboriginal peoples in Africa for centuries, but in recent decades Africanis dogs have become more common in other parts of the world.

Africanis dogs almost always do better living outdoors--which means they are more self-sufficient than most dog breeds, and don't require much care and maintenance. Below you'll find plenty of details on the care that is needed for an Africanis: puppy development, exercise requirements, diet and nutrition, and more. To learn more about the life of the fascinating Africanis, keep reading!

Overall, exercise requirements for these aboriginal dogs are moderate to high. Africanis dogs mostly live in rural areas that have plenty of outdoor space, so they're used to roaming freely, which can fulfill much of their daily activity needs. If an Africanis is kept as a household pet, the dog will need to be given quite a bit of outdoor exercise on a daily basis. The Africanis also has good speed and excellent endurance, and thus makes a good jogging companion.

And specifically how much exercise does an Africanis need each day? The typical adult Africanis, if fully domesticated, will require at least an hour of outdoor activity per day. You can start exercising an Africanis at three months of age by taking it on short (10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

A few precautions to consider when exercising your Africanis: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing bones and joints. And once they're mature, Africanis dogs are very territorial and can be aggressive towards other dogs--so a leash is highly recommended if you're taking your domesticated Africanis for a walk or jog. Finally, any area owners use to exercise their Africanis dogs will need to be properly secured with a fence. Dogs of this breed type have a high prey drive--and in a larger sense, they're sort of feral in demeanor; an Africanis will instinctively run off to chase animals or otherwise explore if given the chance. Owners of "pet" Africanis dogs will need to avoid places and situations where the dog can easily escape.

Safeguards aside, an Africanis will be a much better dog if it gets exercise every single day. If bored, restless, and confined, an Africanis will easily become disobedient, high-strung, destructive, and even aggressive. Daily outdoor exercise--and a good bit of it--is simply a must for these dogs. Here are a few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 30-minute walks (or 20-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch: An Africanis normally enjoys chasing a ball or stick
• Hunting: Dogs of this breed type are excellent hunters
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; best if done in a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

It's recommended that owners don't keep their Africanis dogs confined indoors for extended periods--but if an Africanis must be inside, it'll be good to give the dog access to multiple balls or toys that will allow it to burn excess energy.

Little information exists about shedding and drooling among Africanis dogs. It is known, though, that similar short-haired breeds that are genetically related to the Africanis (the Saluki or the Dingo, for example) don't shed or drool much, so that is likely the case with the Africanis as well.

Dogs of this breed type have short-haired, stiff coats that don't require much grooming, so their shedding levels are probably low. Owners likely won't need to do much cleaning up of excess hair, and will only need to brush their Africanis dogs once every week or two.

The Africanis dog's drooling tendency is probably low, too. If an Africanis is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is necessary.

The Africanis is an energetic, athletic breed type, and will thus need food that contains animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. Though not much info exists about the Africanis diet, a dog of this size, activity level, and demeanor will thrive best on premium dry food, because this food type contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients. (Since the Africanis is most common in South Africa, one popular premium South African dog food brand is called WUMA!.)

Specific brands aside: the typical adult Africanis adult, depending on its age, size, and activity level, will need about three cups of this premium dry food per day to remain healthy. Africanis puppies, again depending on their age, will need about two cups per day. For more details about feeding an Africanis from puppyhood through maturity, reference the following chart:

If your Africanis is kept as a pet, it's good to try and stick to the above-listed portions. Though these dogs probably don't have a high occurrence of obesity due to their energetic lifestyles, an Africanis that's constantly overfed (and under-exercised) will likely become overweight--which will lead to joint, digestive, and breathing problems, not to mention a shortened lifespan. Owners can help control their Africanis dog's weight by establishing regular feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog "human" food, and by not leaving food out all the time, thereby allowing the dog to eat anytime it wants. It's better to feed an Africanis specific amounts at regular mealtimes.

If owners are worried their Africanis dogs are overweight, they can use this test: run a hand along the dog's side, and if ribs aren't easily felt, it's time for the dog to diet! Reduce the Africanis's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk, jog, or play period to its daily exercise regimen.

The recommended food choice for Africanis dogs is premium dry food, as it contains balanced portions of nutrients an Africanis will need to stay healthy in the long term. In keeping with the breed type's roots, the best South African dog food brand is a premium food called WUMA!; elsewhere, owners can use high-quality brands like Taste of the Wild or Royal Canin.