Abyssinian Sand Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

The Abyssinian Sand Terrier is among the rarest and most mysterious canine breeds. They solely sport hair on the highest of their head and the very tip of their tails. Some Abyssinian Sand Terriers are fully hairless. That makes them extremely distinctive. They are additionally extremely uncommon. Abyssinian Sand Terriers haven’t been seen in fashionable society for many years main some to surprise in the event that they’ve gone extinct. All of this intrigue fuels some of the attention-grabbing canine breeds on the planet.

Breed Overview

.breeds-overview { background: #f4fbfb!necessary; }.breeds-overview .breeds-overview__item p:nth-child(1) { colour: #000000!necessary; }

The Abyssinian Sand Terrier is often known as the African Hairless Dog. It is speculated that this breed originated in Africa. Some folks declare that the Abyssinian Sand Terrier was the primary hairless canine and is the progenitor of contemporary hairless breeds just like the Chinese Crested Dog and the Mexican Hairless Dog. That implies that even when the Abyssinian Sand Terrier is really nearing extinction, its genetics and traits are nonetheless alive and properly in present canine breeds.

Abyssinian Sand Terrier Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Record of Abyssinian Sand Terriers in History

The actual origins of the mysterious Abyssinian Sand Terrier aren’t recognized. Abyssinian Sand Terriers are a really previous canine breed, thought to originate in Eastern Africa. Abyssinia is now modern-day Ethiopia, however it’s unclear if that is precisely the place these canines originated. Old exploration logs from the colonial period point out Abyssinian Sand Terriers intimately and declare they used to exist in giant numbers. There are previous images of Abyssinian Sand Terriers that also exist. These photos date again as just lately because the Nineteen Forties and Fifties, however after that, the breed slowly dwindles and ultimately vanishes from the report.

Today, the breed is extremely uncommon, even in Africa. In reality, they’ve been labeled as an extinct breed by some. There aren’t any fashionable examples of Abyssinian Sand Terriers current within the fashionable Western world, and if there are any extra data of this breed, they’ve been misplaced over time.

How Abyssinian Sand Terriers Gained Popularity

Abyssinian Sand Terriers had been by no means the preferred canine breeds on the market. In reality, these canines had been by no means actually domesticated and had been thought-about “semi-wild.” Despite this, Abyssinian Sand Terriers had been regarded as extraordinarily calm. They had been routinely described as peaceable or tranquil. Abyssinian Sand Terriers had been desperate to please and comparatively clever. They by no means barked.

In reality, some folks reported that the canines would solely bark if taught to take action by people and given treats for doing so. It is believed that they acquired together with people and discovered to dwell alongside them however had been by no means actually saved as pets.

There are slim probabilities that you just would possibly be capable of discover these canines nonetheless in existence in rural components of the African continent. That implies that getting your fingers on an Abyssinian Sand Terrier is basically nil. If the specialists are to be believed, they may really be extinct, and subsequently getting certainly one of these canines is, sadly, unimaginable.

Formal Recognition of Abyssinian Sand Terriers

The Abyssinian Sand Terrier has by no means been formally acknowledged by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or another kennel golf equipment. This is because of the truth that nobody is aware of for positive in the event that they even nonetheless exist. However, it’s thought that we might have this breed to thank for different hairless canine breeds, such because the Chinese Crested, which is acknowledged by the American Kennel Club and others.

Top 8 Unique Facts About Abyssinian Sand Terriers

1. Abyssinian Sand Terriers Could Be Extinct

According to varied compendiums of canine breeds, there aren’t any available examples of residing Abyssinian Sand Terriers. In the West, the place canine breeds are closely tracked, traded, and liked, there isn’t any Abyssinian Sand Terrier recognized to be below human care. There are additionally no recognized breeders of Abyssinian Sand Terriers. There may very well be some examples nonetheless residing in rural parts of Africa or of their semi-wild state alongside ranchers and shepherds in Africa.

2. Abyssinian Sand Terriers Are the Likely Ancestor to All Current Hairless Breeds

Genetic research of hairless canine breeds and the Abyssinian Sand Terrier have proven a powerful connection between the hairless gene. That implies that even when the Abyssinian Sand Terrier is extinct, their genes dwell on in different widespread hairless canines. There are quite a few hairless canine breeds which have strong populations around the globe. Interestingly, many present hairless breeds originate from Central and South America but nonetheless retain a reasonably sturdy genetic connection to the Abyssinian Sand Terrier.

3. Native Abyssinian Sand Terriers Were Semi-Wild

While many individuals in the present day worth canine breeds for his or her potential as household companions, many canines had been bred for a particular job or tailored out of a sure setting. Native Abyssinian Sand Terriers had been what many individuals name “semi-wild.”  They didn’t dwell inside with their folks, however they’d observe them round as they labored exterior. Abyssinian Sand Terriers would accompany folks on looking journeys and accompany shepherds on lengthy walks with their herds. These canines bonded with folks on a extra primitive degree, however they usually didn’t dwell inside with native African farmers like we might think about canines do in the present day.

4. They Are Thought to Be Very Easygoing and Got Along Well With Other Animals

The Abyssinian Sand Terrier acquired alongside properly with different animals, together with different canines. The calm nature of the Abyssinian Sand Terrier lends itself to getting together with each folks and pets alike. They aren’t too large and didn’t present many indicators of aggressive tendencies. They would get together with their homeowners, kids, and strangers.

5. They Never Really Relied on Humans for Food

Abyssinian Sand Terriers existed of their highest numbers in a time earlier than conventional canine meals. They would have eaten meals scraps and no matter small morsels they may have hunted and caught on their very own round the home.

6. They Are Thought to Be Very Relaxed

Abyssinian Sand Terriers would want average quantities of train. As curious canines, they loved playtime and new conditions. However, their calm demeanor meant that they had been additionally blissful to easily lay on the sofa and loosen up.

7. They Are Thought to Be Intelligent and Easy to Train

Despite not likely being saved as pets, Abyssinian Sand Terriers had been straightforward to coach as a result of mixture of their intelligence and willingness to please.

8. Most Health Issues Stem from Their Lack of Hair

Abyssinian Sand Terriers can be way more vulnerable to catching pores and skin associated ailments than different canines, together with mange, allergy symptoms, dry pores and skin, pores and skin most cancers, sunburn, and extra. The lack of fur additionally makes Abyssinian Sand Terriers vulnerable to hypothermia. They wouldn’t do properly in chilly climates. Abyssinian Sand Terriers originated in heat components of Africa and aren’t designed for chilly climate climates.

Do Abyssinian Sand Terriers Make a Good Pet?

It is believed that the Abyssinian Sand Terrier would make a superb household canine, in the event that they do nonetheless exist and may very well be totally domesticated. They had been regarded as quiet, calm, and pleasant. They had been additionally straightforward to coach, which implies that a superb proprietor might simply mould an Abyssinian Sand Terrier right into a unbelievable canine companion.

Final Thoughts

The Abyssinian Sand Terrier is among the most enigmatic and uncommon canine breeds on the planet. There aren’t any residing examples of the Abyssinian Sand Terrier residing within the Western world as pets. There is perhaps examples nonetheless residing in Africa as wild or feral canines within the brush, however there aren’t any Abyssinian Sand Terriers below human care that we find out about. Despite that, these canines are nonetheless extraordinarily attention-grabbing and supply a singular genetic and historic background that may be traced to our fashionable world.

Featured Image Credit: Linda Hughes Photography, Shutterstock