About the Hottentot Hunting Dog

A medium sized dog with a slim but well muscled body is a most common sight in South Africa. These dogs are seen roaming about the villages. With limber and graceful movements, these dogs are seen running at great speed in the dirt roads around the rural settlements. These dogs are believed to have been around since 800 AD and have been the intelligent and truehearted companions of the Southern Africa’s bushmen. These dogs are the Africanis. Africanis are highly valued by the indigenous population of South Africa not only for its hardiness and hunting ability but also for its intelligence and dedication.

The Africanis are dubbed as the dogs of Africa. The name is a compounding of Africa, for the continent and canis for dog. Western breeds of dogs were specifically bred and selected to reach a specified appearance. Human intervention made possible for these western breeds to fit the mandatory breed standard. The Africanis though is a result of natural selection. The dog’s physical and mental attributes have adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of the continent. As such Africanis differ in appearance. It also answers to assorted names in different languages. This is why the Africanis is not considered to be a distinct breed. The name Africanis though covers all native Southern African dogs. Only the fittest dog survives the rough Southern African terrain and climatic conditions. This has made the Africanis one of the world’s toughest natural races.

The Africanis was erstwhile considered to personify mongrels. In fact Umbwa wa ki-shenzi, the Shawili name for these dogs means traditional dog or mongrel dog. The dogs subsequently all vary in appearance and are found in a wide range of colors. The mongrel brand was removed when the dogs were extensively studied by Johan Gallant and Joseph Sithole. These dog experts roamed the villages, studied and photographed the dogs they found in kraals and homesteads. These dogs that may differ in appearance have the same behavior thus it was concluded that they come from a coherent race.

Africanis is a name given to all Southern African native dogs. These dogs may vary in appearance but basically these medium sized dogs have a short coat that comes in a wide range of colours. Any color and color combinations are acceptable. The short coat is harsh and thick. The limbs and the head are covered with even more shorter hair. As mentioned, these dogs deviate in appearance. An Africanis can likewise be wire-haired. The Africanis is noted to be an excellent hunter. The dark loose skin prevents the dog from sustaining grave hunting injuries. The loose skin makes sure that the muscles and tissues remain intact. The dog may or may not have markings. A distinct characteristic of the breed is the irregularly formed ridge that is commonly seen at the back of the dog. “Ridged” individuals are not desirable for procreation as the mutation was attributed to a dermoid sinus.

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