Part II-H — African breeds (5)

Abyssinian Sand Terrier (African Hairless Dog)

Origin and purpose

Hairless companion (historic / very rare). Origin: Africa (historically Sudan and the Nile region); ancient hairless dog.

Now essentially extinct or extremely rare; historically linked to other hairless breed lineages.

What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the job of the owner is to give it somewhere to go.

Temperament and training

Stated temperament: Historically described as lively and affectionate companions.

Reward-based training from the day the puppy arrives, with the socialisation window (roughly three to sixteen weeks) treated as the priority it is — what happens in those weeks shapes the adult dog more than anything you do later. Short, frequent, positive sessions. See Parts IV and IX.

Health — what this breed is predisposed to

No breed-linked conditions are recorded for this breed. For landraces and village dogs this is often a genuine finding rather than a gap — a broad genetic base leaves them with markedly fewer inherited disorders than the closed-studbook breeds, and it is one of the strongest arguments for them. The routine risks that apply to every dog — parasites, tick-borne disease, heat — still apply here.

Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.

Vaccination is NOT breed-specific, and any source that claims a breed-specific vaccination schedule should be treated with suspicion. The core schedule — the puppy series and its boosters, and rabies above all — is the same for this dog as for every other, and is set out in Parts VI and IX. What IS specific to the dog is its exposure: a dog that swims, roams, or lives where monsoon flooding occurs has a different leptospirosis risk from an apartment dog, and a dog that boards or meets many other dogs has a different kennel-cough risk. Discuss the dog's actual life with your vet, not its breed.

Feeding

The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.

Exercise and enrichment

Stated requirement: Moderate - active small-to-medium companion.

Moderate daily exercise plus mental stimulation. Adaptable to apartment life provided the daily walk actually happens every day.

Climate and living conditions

Stated suitability: Good to excellent suitability - a hairless desert dog tolerant of heat, though the skin needs sun protection..

Ageing and senior care

Life expectancy: 12-14 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. See Part X.

Before you take one home

• Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.

DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING. The predispositions, screening schedule, and breeder tests above are derived from this breed's recorded health issues; the feeding, exercise, climate, training, and ageing guidance is derived from its size, skull shape, coat, and temperament. Both are drafts until a veterinarian signs them off (Appendix A.3).

Africanis

Origin and purpose

Landrace; documented. Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa; ancient continuous population.

The 'African Village Dog', evolutionarily parallel to other free-breeding landrace village dogs; endangered by dilution from imported breeds.

What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the job of the owner is to give it somewhere to go.

Temperament and training

Stated temperament: Alert, adaptable, gentle with family; independent.

This is an independent-minded breed that was developed to make its own decisions, and it will not work for you simply because you asked. That is not stubbornness or stupidity — it is the trait the breed was selected for. Training must be genuinely rewarding to the dog, and expectations of instant, military obedience are misplaced. Recall, in particular, is often unreliable in these breeds; be honest about that before letting one off-lead near traffic.

Health — what this breed is predisposed to

No breed-linked conditions are recorded for this breed. For landraces and village dogs this is often a genuine finding rather than a gap — a broad genetic base leaves them with markedly fewer inherited disorders than the closed-studbook breeds, and it is one of the strongest arguments for them. The routine risks that apply to every dog — parasites, tick-borne disease, heat — still apply here.

Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.

Vaccination is NOT breed-specific, and any source that claims a breed-specific vaccination schedule should be treated with suspicion. The core schedule — the puppy series and its boosters, and rabies above all — is the same for this dog as for every other, and is set out in Parts VI and IX. What IS specific to the dog is its exposure: a dog that swims, roams, or lives where monsoon flooding occurs has a different leptospirosis risk from an apartment dog, and a dog that boards or meets many other dogs has a different kennel-cough risk. Discuss the dog's actual life with your vet, not its breed.

Feeding

The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.

Exercise and enrichment

Stated requirement: Moderate to high.

A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.

Climate and living conditions

Stated suitability: Excellent for hot tropical and semi-arid conditions..

This breed is well adapted to hot climates — which is one of the strongest practical arguments for it. It still needs shade, unlimited fresh water, and walks outside the hottest hours, but it is not fighting its own biology to live here.

Ageing and senior care

Life expectancy: 13–16 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. See Part X.

Before you take one home

• Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.

DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING. The predispositions, screening schedule, and breeder tests above are derived from this breed's recorded health issues; the feeding, exercise, climate, training, and ageing guidance is derived from its size, skull shape, coat, and temperament. Both are drafts until a veterinarian signs them off (Appendix A.3).

Aidi

Origin and purpose

Livestock guardian (FCI). Origin: Atlas mountains (Morocco).

A Berber shepherd's dog of North Africa.

What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the job of the owner is to give it somewhere to go.

Temperament and training

Stated temperament: Alert, protective, energetic.

A guarding breed: it is naturally suspicious of strangers, and that is what it was bred for. Early, broad, positive socialisation — many people, many places, many situations, before sixteen weeks — is not optional for this breed; it is the difference between a discriminating guardian and a dangerous liability. A guarding dog that has not been socialised is a problem you have created, not a temperament you have discovered.

Health — what this breed is predisposed to

No breed-linked conditions are recorded for this breed. For landraces and village dogs this is often a genuine finding rather than a gap — a broad genetic base leaves them with markedly fewer inherited disorders than the closed-studbook breeds, and it is one of the strongest arguments for them. The routine risks that apply to every dog — parasites, tick-borne disease, heat — still apply here.

Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.

Vaccination is NOT breed-specific, and any source that claims a breed-specific vaccination schedule should be treated with suspicion. The core schedule — the puppy series and its boosters, and rabies above all — is the same for this dog as for every other, and is set out in Parts VI and IX. What IS specific to the dog is its exposure: a dog that swims, roams, or lives where monsoon flooding occurs has a different leptospirosis risk from an apartment dog, and a dog that boards or meets many other dogs has a different kennel-cough risk. Discuss the dog's actual life with your vet, not its breed.

Feeding

The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.

Exercise and enrichment

Stated requirement: High.

A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.

Climate and living conditions

Stated suitability: Very well suited to hot, dry climates..

Ageing and senior care

Life expectancy: 10–12 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. See Part X.

Before you take one home

• Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.

DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING. The predispositions, screening schedule, and breeder tests above are derived from this breed's recorded health issues; the feeding, exercise, climate, training, and ageing guidance is derived from its size, skull shape, coat, and temperament. Both are drafts until a veterinarian signs them off (Appendix A.3).

Azawakh

Origin and purpose

Sighthound (FCI). Origin: West Africa (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso).

Extremely lean and leggy; a distinctive breed of the Tuareg people of the Sahel.

What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the job of the owner is to give it somewhere to go.

Temperament and training

Stated temperament: Aloof, dignified, one-family bond; Saharan sighthound.

This is an independent-minded breed that was developed to make its own decisions, and it will not work for you simply because you asked. That is not stubbornness or stupidity — it is the trait the breed was selected for. Training must be genuinely rewarding to the dog, and expectations of instant, military obedience are misplaced. Recall, in particular, is often unreliable in these breeds; be honest about that before letting one off-lead near traffic.

Health — what this breed is predisposed to

No breed-linked conditions are recorded for this breed. For landraces and village dogs this is often a genuine finding rather than a gap — a broad genetic base leaves them with markedly fewer inherited disorders than the closed-studbook breeds, and it is one of the strongest arguments for them. The routine risks that apply to every dog — parasites, tick-borne disease, heat — still apply here.

Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.

Vaccination is NOT breed-specific, and any source that claims a breed-specific vaccination schedule should be treated with suspicion. The core schedule — the puppy series and its boosters, and rabies above all — is the same for this dog as for every other, and is set out in Parts VI and IX. What IS specific to the dog is its exposure: a dog that swims, roams, or lives where monsoon flooding occurs has a different leptospirosis risk from an apartment dog, and a dog that boards or meets many other dogs has a different kennel-cough risk. Discuss the dog's actual life with your vet, not its breed.

Feeding

The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.

Exercise and enrichment

Stated requirement: High.

A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.

Climate and living conditions

Stated suitability: Excellent for hot, arid desert climates..

This breed is well adapted to hot climates — which is one of the strongest practical arguments for it. It still needs shade, unlimited fresh water, and walks outside the hottest hours, but it is not fighting its own biology to live here.

Sighthound note: dogs of this type carry very little body fat and metabolise some anaesthetic agents differently, which means anaesthesia carries particular considerations. Tell any vet who has not treated a sighthound before, ideally in advance of any procedure. They also chill easily and bruise readily.

Ageing and senior care

Life expectancy: 12–15 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. See Part X.

Before you take one home

• Sighthound: confirm the breeder or vet is aware of the anaesthetic considerations, and plan for secure fencing and lead-walking near roads.
• Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.

DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING. The predispositions, screening schedule, and breeder tests above are derived from this breed's recorded health issues; the feeding, exercise, climate, training, and ageing guidance is derived from its size, skull shape, coat, and temperament. Both are drafts until a veterinarian signs them off (Appendix A.3).

Sloughi

Origin and purpose

Sighthound (AKC). Origin: North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria).

Known as 'The Arabian Greyhound'.

What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the job of the owner is to give it somewhere to go.

Temperament and training

Stated temperament: Sensitive, reserved with strangers, loyal to family.

Reward-based training from the day the puppy arrives, with the socialisation window (roughly three to sixteen weeks) treated as the priority it is — what happens in those weeks shapes the adult dog more than anything you do later. Short, frequent, positive sessions. See Parts IV and IX.

Health — what this breed is predisposed to

No breed-linked conditions are recorded for this breed. For landraces and village dogs this is often a genuine finding rather than a gap — a broad genetic base leaves them with markedly fewer inherited disorders than the closed-studbook breeds, and it is one of the strongest arguments for them. The routine risks that apply to every dog — parasites, tick-borne disease, heat — still apply here.

Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.

Vaccination is NOT breed-specific, and any source that claims a breed-specific vaccination schedule should be treated with suspicion. The core schedule — the puppy series and its boosters, and rabies above all — is the same for this dog as for every other, and is set out in Parts VI and IX. What IS specific to the dog is its exposure: a dog that swims, roams, or lives where monsoon flooding occurs has a different leptospirosis risk from an apartment dog, and a dog that boards or meets many other dogs has a different kennel-cough risk. Discuss the dog's actual life with your vet, not its breed.

Feeding

The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.

Exercise and enrichment

Stated requirement: High.

A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.

Climate and living conditions

Stated suitability: Excellent for hot, arid desert climates..

This breed is well adapted to hot climates — which is one of the strongest practical arguments for it. It still needs shade, unlimited fresh water, and walks outside the hottest hours, but it is not fighting its own biology to live here.

Sighthound note: dogs of this type carry very little body fat and metabolise some anaesthetic agents differently, which means anaesthesia carries particular considerations. Tell any vet who has not treated a sighthound before, ideally in advance of any procedure. They also chill easily and bruise readily.

Ageing and senior care

Life expectancy: 12–15 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. See Part X.

Before you take one home

• Sighthound: confirm the breeder or vet is aware of the anaesthetic considerations, and plan for secure fencing and lead-walking near roads.
• Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.

DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING. The predispositions, screening schedule, and breeder tests above are derived from this breed's recorded health issues; the feeding, exercise, climate, training, and ageing guidance is derived from its size, skull shape, coat, and temperament. Both are drafts until a veterinarian signs them off (Appendix A.3).