Africanis is originated from South Africa but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Africanis may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than St. John's Water Dog. Both Africanis and St. John's Water Dog are having almost same weight. Both Africanis and St. John's Water Dog has same life span. Both Africanis and St. John's Water Dog has almost same litter size. Both Africanis and St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance.
Africanis is one of the original African breeds. This breed was not shaped by humans, but they went through the process of natural selection. Humans did not affect this breed by standard breeding practices. Through the history, this breed became stronger and stronger because only the strongest of the breed survived. Africanis descent is the early dog that is originally from ancient Egypt. Approximately 4500 BC was the period of first data about this breed.
As time passes through, Africanis became more and more popular through the whole continent. This breed migrated with people for thousands of years, and now, a modern Africanis is similar to Greyhound dog. The original Africanis can be found in tribes and more traditional people. One of the oldest breeds in the world is one of the lasts that has been recognized by Kennel Union of Southern Africa.
The breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.
It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.
The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.
Africanis origins from South Africa. The average Africanis weights 25-45 kg, with a height of 50-60cm, while females are slightly smaller. They are medium sized dogs who are friendly, but also independent and territorial. They can are good pets for training, but it requires persistent work.
The lifespan of Africans is 10-12 years, but lifespan always depends on health, genetics, and care of the dog. Therefore, if they are healthy and well cared they can live longer than average.
Litter Size variates a lot, so female can have 2-8 puppies.
St. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.
Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.
Africanis is a very good and healthy breed. They are very intelligent and friendly breed. They are not an aggressive breed, but they tend to protect the master. Africanis is a natural guard dog. This breed is used to being alone because for the centuries they migrated close to humans, but they also have been independent.
Training Africanis is not very hard. They tend to learn very quickly. Positive training with awards is the best way to train your Africanis. The old-fashioned way of training dogs with punishment is not recommendable for Africanis. They are intelligent breed who requires patience and constancy.
They are very good with other animals too, but they need proper socialization. Africanis requires daily exercise so if you keep your dog in the apartment it should have few daily walks. Africanis can live in the apartments though.
Overall, they are very healthy breed, so with regular vet checks and proper care, they are perfect pets for the whole family since they are great and gentle with small children and kids.
The great thing about Africanis is that this breed is very healthy. Thousands of years of evolution made this breed one of the toughest breeds in the world. They can survive very tough conditions. Africanis has a very healthy immune system too. It evolves so strong that there are no internal or external parasites that can harm the dog.
There is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.
Africanis has used to eat everything, so this breed does not require any special treatments. 2-2.5 cups of dry high-quality food would be more than enough to have healthy and well feed the dog. But have in mind that feeding the dog depends on daily activity and size. If the dog is more active, an extra cup wouldn’t be a problem for a dog to eat.
Africanis puppy should eat more times per day than an adult dog. 3-5 meals per day of quality dry food are good measure to feed your puppy Africanis.
Since Africanis has short hair they are very easy to groom and care. Few brushes on a weekly basis with occasional bathing would be more than enough to have a clean and healthy dog.
1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.
2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.
4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.