Nigerian dog breeds were kept for several reasons in the past. Some of these reasons include guarding, herding and hunting. Read to find out what you didn’t know about Nigerian dogs.
Brief History of Nigerian Dogs
Back in the day, we all must have seen one or more while growing up. They got names like Ekuke, Bingo, or Ebua, depending on where we grew up.
These were the names given to ancient Pariah dogs brought into Nigeria by foreigners because of migration. Pariah dogs include some of the oldest dog breeds like Basenji, Azawakh, Greyhounds, etc.
The belief is that traders, pastoral farmers, and nomads introduced into Nigeria them when they migrated from other countries deep into the Sahara.
The migrants, on their first arrival to the Northern part of Nigeria, came with their dogs. However, most Northern Muslims believe dogs are unclean; many of the dogs were uncared for and later became stray Nigerian dogs.
When the stray dogs began to disturb their livestock, some of them took on capturing the dogs as a form of public service.
After getting caught, they transported the dogs to other parts of Nigeria, especially Calabar.
This is where most of them were kept, and the others were eaten. And the practice of Nigerians eating dogs is still common in that region today.
It is common to see homes with modern dog breeds imported into the country as pets.
That said, let us look at Ten ways we Nigerians use dogs in our present time.
Common Ways Nigerians Use Dogs
In Nigeria, dogs are classified into two basic types, Local and Foreign. We will discuss their uses based on their type.
Local dogs or Rarehunters are the prevalent breeds in Nigeria. They’re mostly dogs that do not belong to any known dog breeds. The general belief is that they are Pariah dogs that were bred for hunting down prey.
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They are easily recognized by their erect, semi-erect, or coiled ears, short coats, and small muscular bodies. However, some may have different appearances. Local dogs are primarily friendly but difficult to train on advanced commands.
Low-maintenance dogs and can be found mostly in villages and outskirts of towns, foraging for food.
Uses Of Nigerian Local Dogs
Here are some common types of nigerian dogs and ways these Nigerian dogs are used:
1. Pointing and Retrieving in Hunting
Nigerian local dogs trained to be pointers or retrievers can make hunting more effective and a little easier.
They make use of their good sense of smell and speed to track down the location of targeted animals.
You can spend more time hunting games instead of tracking the ones you’ve shot and picking them up. With this dog doing all the grunt work, hunting will never be much easier.
2. As Guard Dogs
Local dogs are among the few dog breeds that are close to being ideal dogs for guarding homes. They are brave guard dogs, yet loyal and friendly to their family. They are strong and athletic, but easy to maintain and extremely handy.
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Local dogs are big enough to intimidate unwanted visitors. They may not be too big in size but they will never betray their owners.
And as a result of their sharpness and intelligence, no stranger can invade his family house and bribe him with a treat, he will never take it.
3. As Food
Due to how cheap they are, how easy they are to maintain, and how less protected they are by their owners and government, local dogs are prone to be caught and sold to meat sellers for food. The reason the Nigerian dog meat business is booming is mostly because of them.
According to research, in fact, Nigeria is the country with the third highest dog consumption rate in the world. With South Korea and Vietnam at the top of the list.
4. Companionship
Local dogs are known for their friendliness and playfulness and so most are kept as pets.
They are so close and faithful to their owners that they can be walked without leashes and would pose no threat to the general public.
Other Dogs and Their Uses
These Nigerian dogs are usually modern but are occasionally ancient dogs that are imported into Nigeria as pets.
They comprise well-documented breeds. And information on them can easily be retrieved from study books and breed registries.
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This breed of dog is more common in cities than villages and receive more attention and care than the local dogs.
5. Nigerian Utility Dogs
This includes some dogs that are produced to carry out some functional tasks. Tasks range from alerting you about intruders, catching rats, carrying loads, and herding. Examples are Lhasa Apso, Dalmatian, Bulldog, etc.
6. Popular Nigerian Gun Dogs
As the name implies, these dogs were originally bred to help hunters find and capture games, especially birds. Examples are Standard Poodle, Golden Retriever, English Pointer, etc.
7. Nigerian Working Dogs
Working dogs are skilled. They carry out special tasks like drug detection, cancer detection, search, rescue, etc. They include Great Danes, Mastiffs, Sled Dogs, Rottweilers, etc.
8. The Toy Dogs
They are small dogs that individuals mostly keep as pets. Examples are Chihuahua, Bichon Frise, etc.
9. Pastoral Dogs
They earned the name pastoral dogs as a result of their ability to carry out certain tasks. These tasks include guarding, herding, and driving livestock. Examples are German Shepherds, Pyrenean mountain dogs, Border Collies, etc.
10. Terrier Dogs
These dogs are trained to track and hunt prey by digging them from the ground. They include American Staffordshire Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, etc.
Why Does My Dog Like to Eat Poop?
When a female dog gives birth to her puppies, the only she knows to clean the puppies’ poops is by eating them.
This is also a way to protect her puppies from smelling and inviting closeby predators. Puppies learn this habit from their mothers.
Some puppies eventually outgrow the habit while some dogs still eat poop as adults.
This may be due to boredom, lack of proper nutrition, or training against such behavior.
Why Does My Dog Lick Me?
Just like they bark, dogs (not only Nigerian dogs) lick one’s body to communicate. Their instinct to lick is learned from birth their mothers lick them to feed and care for them.
When older dogs lick, it is also a submissive gesture of affection. They can also lick because they like the taste of salt on our skin.
Some dogs like to give kisses too. However, when your dog licks your face, usually it means “I love you.”
Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?
That’s definitely a YES! Giving your dog dental care is as important as vaccinations and other preventative health measures.
In the same way, humans are prone to tartar and plaque; dogs are too. This happens when bacteria build up below the gum line and causes periodontitis, gingivitis, and, worse, cases, blood infections.
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?
You will need to bathe your dog frequently to keep them clean and healthy.
This is also important because of the specks of dirt they bring home from playing in the mud and contaminated areas.
When is the Right Time to bathe My dog?
There are two times you should bathe your dog:
(i) When you notice dirt on their body.
(ii) You should have a scheduled bath just like humans.
The frequency of bathing your dog depends on your dog’s breed. Washing them every 4-6 weeks should keep them shiny and healthy.
My Dog Stares at Me, Why?
Many think their dogs stare at them because of their undying devotion and love.
Hate to burst your bubbles, but your dog stares at you either because they want something or they are trying to find out what you want.
They might want food, a treat, a walk, or playtime. Second, your pup may not understand something you said earlier, and he’s trying to understand.
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