Overview
Africanis is the name given to the traditional village dogs of southern Africa. They were not bred to a written standard; they are the result of generations of dogs living alongside people with very little human selection. Most are medium sized, short coated and built like a lean all-rounder, with a sharp mind and good survival instincts.
In Britain you will meet very few, and those you do may have come through rescue. That matters more than the breed label. A dog raised in a settled home will behave differently from one that spent its first year roaming, so treat each one as an individual.
Exercise and walking needs
A fit adult can go for an hour and a half a day and still want more. They are economical movers who can trot all day, so distance comes easily. Mental work, sniffing and problem solving tire them more than pure mileage.
The thin coat offers little protection in a British winter. Cut walks shorter in cold rain and consider a coat if the owner has one.
On the walk
- Independence: Village dogs survive by making their own decisions. Recall may be excellent or non-existent, and you will not know until you have tested it on a long line.
- Prey: Small animals and birds will get a hard stare and often a chase. Watch the body language go still before the dog goes.
- Strangers: Many are wary of people they do not know, including you on day one. Go slowly, avoid looming over the dog and let it approach.
- Other dogs: Often socially skilled and good at reading other dogs, but some prefer to avoid contact. Give it the choice.
Tips for professional walkers
- Start every new dog of this type on a long line in open space and let it show you what it knows.
- Vary routes. A clever, under-stimulated dog finds its own entertainment and that is rarely what you want.
- Watch for hunting behaviour near livestock; a dog that has lived off the land may take an interest in sheep.
- Keep hands low and movements calm with a dog that is still deciding about you.
What to ask the owner
- What is the dog's history: born in a home, imported, or rescued from the street?
- How does it react to strangers approaching, and is there a way it prefers to be greeted?
- Has it shown any interest in chasing livestock, cats or wildlife, and what is its recall like?