So, what are the best dog breeds in Kenya?
Or put another way, which dog breeds do well in Kenya?
Now, if you have been thinking of rearing a dog for companionship, security, or business reasons, below are the best dog breeds in Kenya (dog breeds that thrive in the country).
Best Dog Breeds in Kenya – Here are the best dog breeds for you
Before we go to the best Dog Breeds in Kenya, let’s talk about the different types of dog breeds in Kenya- you know, those breeds that you usually find locally..
Large dog breeds
Put simply, all giant dog breeds – those large in size- belong to this category.
To be clear, any dog breed whose weight can exceed 45 kilograms is considered large.
Here are a few large dog breeds you can find in Kenya:
- Rottweiler
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- German Shepherd
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Boerboel
Medium dog breeds
The way medium-size dogs are defined can vary. …
However, overall, small dog breeds typically go up to approximately 10 kilograms while large dog breeds start around 27 kilograms.
That being so, any dog breed in the middle is considered medium-size.
Below are some medium dog breeds that tend to be found in Kenya:
- English Springer Spaniel
- Labrador Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
- Basenji
- Bulldog
Small dog breeds in Kenya
As mentioned, small dog breeds are just that: Small (their maximum weight rarely exceeds 10 kilograms).
Keep in mind that these are the most playful and adorable dogs hence they make perfect companions.
Some of the small dog breeds that are often kept in Kenya include:
- Chihuahua
- Great Dane
- Australian Terrier
- Maltese Terrier
- Pomeranian
- Japanese Spitz
- Samoyed
So, of all these dog breeds, what breed should you pick?
Well, the answer is: It boils down to your needs.
To point you in the right direction, here is our take on the most common dog breeds in Kenya (from where each breed fits most and even the cost of owning one):
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are large, loyal and devoted human companions that are famed for their large, powerful body and jaws strength.
In addition, the breed is known to be fearless, alert, and courageous.
In fact, they are considered one of the most aggressive dogs when it comes to strangers that the canine considers a threat – Rottweilers naturally protect owners from strangers.
Here is what you need to bear in mind: While you can own and keep this dog breed for your home protection needs, they are generally seen as police dogs due to their robust capabilities.
If you want to go ahead and buy Rottweiler in Kenya, reach out to the Nanyuki-based Mowata Kennel
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiff- one of the oldest dog breeds in the world- is super strong and is quite a massive dog.
To be honest, its extra-large size can be scary.
But don’t let the size intimidate you- the Neapolitan mastiff dog breed is a gentle giant that can make an excellent family pet.
The thing is: These dogs show unconditional love to their families but are, in general, wary of strangers(it will defend you with all its might)
The other good thing about Neapolitan mastiffs is that they are inexpensive to maintain so it can be a good pet for those on a tight budget.
Bulldog
Bulldogs are medium-sized, muscular, and fairly hefty dogs with a wrinkled face and distinctively pushed-in nose.
Now, there are two varieties of bulldogs: The British and English.
Now, bulldogs are incredibly powerful, especially the English one, making the breed one of the most effective guard dogs in the country (bulldogs are known to be extremely aggressive).
To add, they like dominating over other doggies – and like attacking unfamiliar dogs- though they are fine with other family pets.
Bottom-line?
Bulldogs are awesome for security needs.
English springer spaniel
If you are still wondering what breed of dog is best for security, then the English springer spaniel is another ideal option and you should give it a thought.
For starters, the breed is one of the most energetic on the planet – it has great stamina and is very enthusiastic.
These qualities make this dog an outstanding hunter so it can be a good option too, if you are looking for a hunting partner.
Having said all that, these dogs are gentle, playful, and have excellent behavioral qualities so springer spaniels usually also make great family friends and companions.
German shepherd
Another dog breed that could be a fantastic choice for security reasons is the German shepherd.
The pooch is large, muscular, agile, and very strong making it a popular choice even among military personnel.
If well trained (of course, they learn pretty fast) these dogs become very intelligent- but they remain obedient and faithful to their masters.
That said, German shepherds are versatile and can fit in a multitude of activities including guarding, guiding, searching, rescuing, sporting, as well as sniffing.
Chihuahua
No breed has grown in popularity in the small breeds family as the Chihuahua dog breed.
Now, Chihuahuas are very loyal, alert, committed, and very intelligent pets to have at home.
They are also quick to learn.
However, unlike a majority of the other dog breeds, Chihuahuas are known to build up on their confidence through exposure so you need to expose it to different situations for it to reach the heights you want.
Overall, the breed can be okay for both your protection and companionship (pet) needs provided you give them early age training.
Boerboel
Back to security and the Boerboel (Also known as the South African Mastiff) is the top choice for some Kenyans.
Why?
It is one the strongest dogs around – the dog can exert above 450 pounds pressure/square inch per bite.
Plus, like other dog breeds preferred for security purposes in the country, Boerboels are exceedingly aggressive against perceived threats.
There is one good thing about Boerboels: They don’t need special or extra grooming and are, in general, very hardy (they rarely suffer from health issues).
Labrador retriever
Labs are one of the easiest-to-train dog breeds in the country.
More importantly, they are very adaptable and lovable.
Their other notable qualities are gentleness not to mention that they’re very outgoing.
For these reasons, labs are extremely popular as pets and are particularly great around children –it is fun being around a lab.
Nonetheless, they are actually a dangerous dog- as unbelievable as it sounds, considering their mild nature- and can attack and bite, once trained properly.
In Kenya, you can buy a lab at a very affordable price.
Wrapping it up
As you can see, there are a number of good dog breeds in Kenya you can choose from, depending on your needs.
If undecided, we recommend that you reach out to the best dog breeders in Kenya (check this list for their contacts) for more guidance.
ALSO READ: