It's funny how one day you're against letting dogs into your home and the next you're making beautiful memories with one.
Over the years, dogs have become increasingly popular among Nigerians. Besides the traditional reason of getting a dog i.e. security, a lot of people are accepting the idea of dogs as companions, friends and even therapy. More people are creating spaces in their hearts and in their homes for these beautiful creatures.
Very often I get messages from people asking about the commonly found dog breeds in Nigeria. Some others send me images of different dogs asking for information about the breed and it’s availability in Nigeria. So, this article has been written to answer those questions you might have about the breeds of dogs that are easily found in the country.
Because no thorough research has been carried out by any kennel club in Nigeria, this list is going to be more of a personal perception.
Reward your curiosity by taking a look at the list below.
10. CHOW CHOW
At number ten, we have the Chow chow. Also know as the "Puffy lion dog", this cute big ball of fur recently came to spotlight and has caught the attention of many dog lovers.
The chow chow is a breed originally from China where it served purposes such as hunting, guarding and herding.
It is a medium sized breed which can grow to a height between 43-51cm and weigh as much as 30kg.
The breed is quiet and loyal, and despite its cute and fluffy look, it is independent, strong willed and aloof with strangers which can be a problem when they’re not properly socialized. They require moderate exercise and can adapt to apartment living.
Fun fact: Chow chows have a blue-black tongue.
9. NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF
This is one dog that stands out because of its wrinkly and saggy skin especially around the head and neck.
It originated from Italy and was bred as a family and guard dog. Reaching a height of 65 - 77cm and weight of about 65kg, this large, muscular breed of dog is fearless, obedient, protective, dominant, loyal and is very trainable.
Despite it’s intimidating look and size, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a gentle giant that does well with families.
8. BULLMASTIFF
Regardless of what it may look like, the bullmastiff is a docile, good-natured, loyal and reserved dog.
The breed originated from the United Kingdom and is said to be a product of crossing an English Mastiff with an Old English Bulldog.
It is powerful, alert and protective of its family. It is more tolerant of strangers but will react when provoked. With a solid build, big bones and a short muzzle, these dogs can weigh as much as 55kg with an average height of 65cm at the shoulders.
The bullmastiff does not need much exercise and it seldom barks making it a good apartment dog. Heavy shedding is not a problem due to it’s short coat, but this breed is a notorious drooler 😅.
7. AMERICAN ESKIMO
The American Eskimo is a breed of dog originating from Germany. Known for its all white/cream coat and cute black eyes, this breed catches the attention of any small dog lover almost instantly.
The American Eskimo is an intelligent, happy, friendly and energetic dog that loves to play. This makes it a good pet for families with kids. The breed has been known to gain weight easily so proper nutrition and regular exercise are essential to maintain a healthy dog.
6. LHASA APSO
This is undoubtedly the most famous small breed of dog in Nigeria. Developed in Tibet, it was kept as a guard dog in Buddhist monasteries to alert monks to intruders.
The lhasa apso is lively, energetic, playful, alert and friendly. It comes in a variety of coat colors ranging from all white to all black. It requires frequent grooming to prevent knotting of it’s coat which can cause discomfort.
5. BOERBOEL
Also known as South African Mastiff, this breed originates from South Africa where it was originally used to guard livestock and farmers from attack.
With a large head, broad chest and muscular build, this breed of dog can weigh between 50kg — 90kg and reach a height of 65cm at shoulder level.
The Boerboel is calm, docile, confident and good with kids if socialized properly. It is always bustling with energy and eager to work and as such require frequent exercise to keep them happy and in good shape.It usually comes in 4 coat colors: Black, red, fawn and piebald.
The South African Boerboel Breeders’ Society (SABBS) is the regulatory body responsible for maintaining the standards that oversee the identification, evaluation and improvement of the breed. The Boerboel Dog Breeders Association, Nigeria (BDBAN) which is affiliated with SABBS is the regulatory body responsible for the boerboel in Nigeria.
4. CAUCASIAN SHEPHERD
This is my favorite breed for obvious reasons. Originating from the Russian Caucasus mountains, this large breed of dog was originally bred to protect livestock and guard property. This dog can grow as tall as 80cm and weigh as much as 90kg!
The Caucasian shepherd is assertive, dominant, strong and stubborn. It requires a lot of time, dedication and training to be able to handle this dog. Early socialization is needed for it to coexist with other family members and pets.
Due to their thick coat, they are more suited to live in Jos, Nigeria where the weather is extremely cold. They are prone to heat stroke in hotter locations of the country.
3. ROTTWEILER
The Rottweiler is a sturdy breed of dog that was originally used to herd cattle and pull carts of meat to the market. It is a breed of dog that has a lot of myth and a bad reputation in Nigeria. This is largely due to poor handling.
It is fearless, confident, alert, loyal with natural guarding instincts. Together with the German Shepherd, they served as one of the earliest police dogs. They are popular home guardians and companions. They require experienced care, consistent training and frequent exercise.
The Rottweiler is known for its black and deep tan coat, broad head, broad chest and muscled body. They can weigh as much as 54kg and reach a height of 65cm at the shoulders.
When properly trained and socialized, they make excellent guard dogs and family pets. They are obedient and will take commands without much hesitation.
2. BASENJI
This list would be incomplete without this breed of dog. Popularly known as “Ekuke” in Nigeria and “African barkless dog” around the world, this breed of dog was discovered in Congo and bred specifically for hunting. It is placed in the hound group of dogs (sighthound).
The basenji is energetic, playful, and curious with an alert demeanor. It’s short coat comes in a variety of beautiful colors, red being the most common. It has a slim, muscular build, erect ears and upturned tail.
Basenji makes a nice family pet and is good with kids and other pets when socialized early. It is an independent dog which makes it hard to train but a wonderful and affectionate companion for anyone willing to meet his exercise requirements.
This is a very beautiful breed of dog, do not let anyone tell you otherwise.
- GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG (GSD)
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the German shepherd ranks as the second most popular dog breed in the world. It is also known as “Alsatian".
The German Shepherd originated from Germany and was used as a herding dog hence the name. This breed is versatile and can be found in many sectors that require a working dog. It makes an excellent police dog, watch dog, guard dog, military dog, search & rescue dog and guide dog for the blind.
This breed is fearless, loyal, intelligent, confident and a very capable working dog. It’s balanced temperament and natural protective instincts are what makes the German shepherd a wonderful family pet and guardian. It is very energetic and always eager to work and thus, are not recommended for apartment living. It requires high amounts of exercise daily to keep it healthy and happy.
The German shepherd weighs between 35–45kg and can reach heights of 60cm at the shoulders. It comes in a variety of coat colors such as sable and black & tan. This coat can also be a short coat, a long coat, or a plush (medium) coat.
There are two variants of the German shepherd: Working line and Showline. The major difference between the two is in their backs. The working line GSD has a straight back and are well suited to handle tough work while the showline GSD has a slant/sloped back and a bred for shows and aesthetics.
This sums up the list for the top ten dog breeds in Nigeria. Some honourable mentions include:
American Pitbull Terrier, Pug, Siberian Husky, Great Dane and American Bulldog
While they may not be as popular as their counterparts on the top ten list, they make wonderful pets and have an increasing number of admirers in the country.
