Hey there, Vortex Voyagers!
Dr. Irtwange here, your resident vet and storyteller, with a thought-provoking tale that might just change the way you see the scruffy dog at your gate or the elegant village hound trotting past your clinic.
It’s Feature Friday, and today we’re diving deep into the prestige obsession with purebred and exotic dogs, why local breeds are overlooked and why these underdogs are in fact the true superheroes of the canine world.
What Is This All About?
Let’s start with a confession:
When you think of “the perfect dog,” do you picture a Golden Retriever with a glossy coat? Or a Siberian Husky with ice-blue eyes pulling sleds (or… melting in Lagos heat)? If yes, you’re not alone.
Across the globe, people equate purebred and exotic dogs with beauty, prestige and class. Meanwhile, local breeds are brushed off as “common,” “bush dogs,” “mongrels,” or worse, not even recognised as breeds at all.
But here’s the kicker:
These local dogs - known as landraces, have been evolving alongside humans for thousands of years. They’re shaped by their environment, naturally selected for health, intelligence and adaptability.
They’re not flashy like Huskies, trendy like Frenchies or Instagram-famous like Poodles. But guess what? They come with their own superpowers.
Unlike purebred dogs, local breeds often:
- Are shaped by environment and function, not human vanity
- Lack formal kennel club standards but have consistent regional traits
- Are hardy, adaptive, intelligent and culturally significant
Who Are These Local Heroes?
- Nigeria: The Ekuke - short-haired, medium-sized, loyal guardians
- Kenya: The Africanis - elegant desert runners with keen intelligence
- India: The Pariah Dog - street-smart survivors with strong immune systems
- South Africa: Basenjis - famed for being “barkless” hunters
They’ve guarded our homes, hunted with us and slept at our feet for centuries - long before kennel clubs decided what counted as a “breed.”
Who Set Breed Standards and Led to the Shunning of Local Breeds?
A blend of colonial history, critical race theory, kennel club drama and a dash of social media vanity.
1. The Kennel Club Origins: Who Drew The Lines?
First, a history lesson (don’t doze off - this is juicy). Modern breed standards didn’t fall from the heavens on golden tablets. They began with kennel clubs in 19th-century Europe. The first? The Kennel Club (UK), born in 1873. Its American cousin, the American Kennel Club (AKC), followed in 1884. Their job? To define what counted as a breed - from nose tip to tail curl. These clubs created breed standards to define the “ideal” physical appearance and temperament of each breed for dog shows and selective breeding.
But there was a catch. These definitions focused on aesthetic conformity and pedigree purity, not functionality. They asked: Does this dog look the way we want it to look? rather than Is this dog healthy, resilient or useful for its environment?
2. Western Ideals of Breed Purity: Pretty Privilege, Dog Edition
Here’s where things get messy. Westerners loved the idea of purity - clean bloodlines, exact measurements, predictable traits. Indigenous breeds didn’t fit these moulds. They weren’t carefully curated by European aristocrats; they were forged by climate, culture and survival.
So what happened? Local breeds were slapped with labels like “mongrels” or “unclassified.” Their adaptability, disease resistance, unique genetic traits and intelligence were ignored because they didn’t tick the Kennel Club’s boxes.
3. Colonisation & Global Influence: Exporting Breed Hierarchies
Enter colonisation. European powers didn’t just export tea, gunpowder and Shakespeare. They exported breed standards too.
In Africa, Asia and Latin America, imported European breeds became status symbols. Local dogs were relegated to “village dog” or “pariah dog” status - words dripping with disdain. The logic was simple: if it wasn’t European, it wasn’t prestigious. Even today, you’ll hear someone in Nigeria say, “That’s just an Ekuke,” as if their disease-resistance, intelligence and agility count for nothing.
4. Media & Cultural Preferences: Hollywood’s Favourite Breeds
Fast forward to modern times. Breed desirability is turbo-charged by media and advertising. Golden Retrievers became synonymous with suburban perfection in the US. Huskies became Instagram influencers in Mumbai. Shiba Inus skyrocketed in popularity after the “Doge” meme. The humble local dog remained absent from the glossy pages of pet magazines.
Think about it. Remember those Got Milk? ads from the 90s with celebrities flaunting milk moustaches? They pushed the myth of milk-loving cats, even though adult cats are mostly lactose intolerant. The same myth-making machinery propped up exotic pets as refined and desirable. The milk-drinking child, the milk-drinking cat, the purebred dog - it was an idealised Western household fantasy.
5. Critical Race Theory and The Dog Parallel
Now, let’s get academic (but not boring). Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a framework analysing how social structures perpetuate racial inequalities. Though it’s about humans, its insights mirror what happened in the dog world.
- Eurocentric Standards of Value: Breed standards mirrored colonial racial hierarchies. European traits were seen as “superior,” indigenous traits as “primitive.”
- Structural Exclusion: Local breeds weren’t registered because they didn’t fit the templates. Their functional brilliance (disease resistance, intelligence, adaptability) was overshadowed by coat colour, snout shape and gait.
- Media Reinforcement: Western breeds became the gold standard in movies, ads and family photos. Local breeds remained invisible or depicted as dirty strays.
In essence, the purity narrative in dog breeding is the canine cousin of racial purity ideologies - both rooted in colonial definitions of worth.
Who Got Praised, Who Got Shunned?
Praised Breeds:
- Europe and North America: Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever.
- Japan: Shiba Inu, Akita - helped by anime and national branding.
Shunned Breeds:
- Africa: Apart from the Basenji, most breeds remain unregistered and dismissed as “pariah dogs” for e.g Africanis.
- South Asia: The Indian Pariah Dog is overshadowed by imported Labradors and German Shepherds.
- Latin America: Many indigenous breeds faded under European imports, except culturally protected ones like Mexico’s Xoloitzcuintli.
- Southeast Asia: The Philippine Askal (street dog) is still seen as low-status despite its unmatched adaptability.
Real Voices, Real Tension
A Nigerian blogger quipped:
“To some Nigerian people, a pet is a status symbol. If you owned an Ekuke (local dog), you wouldn’t want to take it for a walk. But watch them walk Spaniels or Bulldogs with pride!”
On Pakistani social media, one user bragged about their pedigree Husky, dismissing a local stray as “just a friendly stray,” Meanwhile, on Reddit, another lamented Pakistanis’ obsession with Persian cats, with a comment summing it up well:
“They care less about helping animals and more about showing off… honestly super sad.”
In India, a Vodafone pug ad sparked such demand that over 50,000 pugs were imported, many illegally.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, one user noted:
“The Nigerian breed is very good at hunting, disease-resistant and very smart. It’s the bad mindset of ‘the white man’s thing is better than mine’ that makes us so backward.”
This tension plays out globally. Some people chase exotic breeds for social prestige; others defend the brilliance of local breeds, blaming colonial hangovers for their neglect.
The Ultimate Takeaway
In simple terms? We treat dogs the way we treat ourselves. Western breed standards created by kennel clubs defined what was “worthy” and what was “unworthy.” Colonial influence spread these standards worldwide. Media sealed the deal by glorifying certain breeds on TV, in ads and across Instagram.
Just like Critical Race Theory shows us how society built racial hierarchies, dog breeding built hierarchies of worth among breeds - where the local scruffy hero was declared unworthy, and the glossy imported pup became the gold standard.
So next time you see that Ekuke wagging its tail with eyes full of love, remember - no Kennel Club definition can measure the worth of a dog’s heart.
Yet despite this truth, why do we still turn away from these loyal local heroes?
Why Do We Still Shun Local Dog Breeds?
Because shiny sells.
Let’s be honest. If something is told to you enough times - even if it’s untrue, it starts feeling like fact. That’s exactly what happened here.
Undue influences (hello, colonial hangover) plus decades of media portrayal have buried local breeds under a mountain of glitzy imported pups.
Think about it:
Movies, ads, Instagram reels - what do you see? Golden Retrievers bounding through suburban lawns, Malamutes posing majestically on snow-capped mountains, Shih Tzus being pampered with pink bows and strollers.
And subconsciously, your brain whispers: “THAT is the perfect dog.”
Meanwhile, local breeds are out here:
- Guarding livestock from prowling predators
- Keeping rats out of granaries
- Playing tag with children on dusty village streets
…all without fancy pedigrees, registration papers or designer collars.
Why Do People Still Import Exotic Breeds?
Here’s the tea:
- Status: Flaunting a rare foreign dog screams “Look at me, I have money!”
- Perceived Prestige: Huskies and French Bulldogs are fashionable. Owning them signals sophistication - even if your Husky is melting under 38°C Nigerian heat.
- Aesthetics: Instagram filters and Hollywood romanticise certain breeds. Everyone wants the dog that racks up likes.
- Jobs: Some breeds were imported for specific work like guarding or herding in non-native environments. But often, they’re just for show.
- Ignorance: Many people don’t realise local breeds are distinct breeds at all - genetically superior in adaptability and disease resistance compared to imported dogs that struggle in local climates.
A Quick Throwback
Before shiny dog shows and Kennel Club standards, local breeds evolved without human meddling for aesthetics. Their worth lay in their work:
- Guarding livestock and homes from intruders or wildlife
- Hunting small game for food
- Companionship and unwavering loyalty to families
But then urbanisation and globalisation swept in like a tornado, and suddenly the narrative shifted:
“If it’s not imported, it’s not worth it.”
The Dire Consequences
This mindset isn’t just unfair - it’s dangerous. It threatens:
- The health and welfare of local breeds, abandoned in favour of exotic dogs ill-suited to local environments
- Our cultural heritage, erasing centuries of co-evolution between humans and these indigenous canine heroes
The Health and Welfare Toll
Here’s the cold, hard truth: this obsession with pedigree perfection comes at a massive cost - to the dogs themselves. Why am I telling you this? Because every time we choose imported, exotic breeds over our hardy local companions, we’re making a choice that affects animal welfare, health and even our wallets.
Sure, that squished-face pup looks adorable on Instagram - until you realise it can’t actually breathe properly. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) bluntly says selective breeding for looks has “seriously compromised” many purebred dogs’ welfare. Translation? Beauty hurts. Literally. And the toll is bigger than just breathing problems:
Exotic / Purebred Dogs:
- Often bred for specific looks or temperaments
- Some have unique skills suited to certain tasks (e.g. herding, retrieving)
- May match personal aesthetic preferences or childhood dreams
- Prone to genetic diseases from inbreeding (cancer, blindness, hip dysplasia). Because when you choose breed purity, you’re also choosing a gene pool the size of a teacup.
- Poor heat tolerance in tropical climates (ever seen a husky melting under Nigeria’s sun?). It’s a climate mismatch comedy show - except it’s not funny for the dogs. Exotic breeds in the wrong environment = neglect, suffering and accidental abuse.
- High maintenance - special diets, endless grooming and vet bills that could buy you a used car.
Local Breeds:
- Disease-resistant, heat-tolerant, loyal and easy to train.
- Extremely hardy - evolved to thrive in their native climate.
- Less prone to genetic diseases - thanks to a gene pool as wide as the savannah.
- Low maintenance - thrive on simple diets, minimal care and still outrun thieves.
- Genetically distinct. Cornell University found African village dogs have far greater diversity than imported breeds. In practical terms, that means they tolerate local parasites, heat, diseases, and dietary quirks that would send a purebred pup packing.
- May have unpredictable traits due to mixed breeding
As one Nigerian vet put it:
“Our local breeds hardly die of diseases that strike foreign breeds. They are built for our environment.”
Their histories say it all. Local breeds were forged by centuries of natural selection and semi-feral living, building up grit and genetic superpowers. Pedigree dogs? Crafted by humans for looks, often sacrificing health along the way.
Your local Ekuke - with its minimal shedding, mild smell, fierce loyalty and robust health, might just be the real MVP you’ve been overlooking.
At the end of the day, it’s about choosing a companion that thrives with you - not just looks good on your feed.
Choose wisely.
Real-Life Contrast
Back in vet school, I remember a scrawny Ekuke named Lima Bean (don’t ask me why he was called that - his owner said he once ate a whole pot of beans and survived unscathed).
He came in with a wound on his paw from defending his owner’s goats against a cobra. This dog had zero training, no luxury kennel and no special feed - just garri water with leftover soup. Yet he wagged his tail, licked my face despite his pain and returned home after treatment to continue guarding the goats.
Compare that to an imported German Shepherd I treated a week later for heat stroke - despite top-quality feeds and a marble-tiled kennel, he struggled in Nigeria’s climate.
Both are beautiful in their own way, but Lima Bean reminded me why local breeds are hidden gems.
Global Trends & Critical Reflections
Nigeria’s Ekuke is a prime example of how local breeds are overlooked despite their strengths. Often dismissed as “just a local dog,” the Ekuke thrives where many imported breeds struggle. It resists heat and tropical diseases, hunts game, guards homes and bonds deeply with families - all while living long, healthy lives with minimal vet care.
Yet urban and global biases persist. In fact, many Nigerians believe owning a local dog lowers your status. This mirrors global trends where pedigree breeds are valued over indigenous ones purely for their image.
I once had a Lagos client who swapped his German Shepherds for Ekukes after his expensive imports kept dying from heat stress and tick-borne diseases. His staff mocked him… until they saw the Ekuke thrive effortlessly while the Shepherd wilted.
What Can Pet Parents Do?
- See Their Value: Recognise local breeds as distinct, genetically valuable landraces.
- Provide Care: Vaccinate, deworm and feed them balanced diets. Hardy ≠ invincible.
- Socialise & Train: They’re intelligent but often under-stimulated. Engage them mentally and physically.
- Advocate: Share their stories. Adopt local breeds. Encourage others to do the same.
What Will Your Vet Do?
Your vet will:
- Treat local breeds with equal clinical diligence
- Advise on nutrition tailored to their needs
- Vaccinate and deworm
- Highlight behavioural strengths and integration tips
- Educate on zoonoses and parasite control
Prevention: Saving Our Heritage
Local breeds are threatened by neglect and indiscriminate crossbreeding. Preserving them protects biodiversity, cultural identity and adaptive genetic traits.
Treatment & Prognosis
- Generally Excellent: Natural selection filters out weak genetic traits
- Long Lifespans: 10-15 years with proper care
- Fewer Genetic Disorders: Compared to inbred exotic breeds
- Behaviourally Stable: Loyal, versatile, practical companions
But remember, routine vet care remains essential for vaccinations, parasite control and balanced diets.
Zoonotic Implications
Local breeds, like all dogs, can carry:
Regular vet visits and preventive care keep them (and you) safe.
Personal Story Time: Captain’s Courage
One rainy morning during clinical rotations, I met Captain, a local dog with half an ear missing (battle trophy from a mongoose fight, his owner claimed). He walked 7 km for his rabies booster, licked my hand as I injected him, then trotted off bravely with his herder.
Meanwhile, an imported Maltese next door threw a royal tantrum over nail trimming.
That day, I realised bravery isn’t about size or breed - it’s about heart. Captain carried the spirit of his land in his veins.
Dr. Irtwange’s Final Bark
If we keep ignoring local breeds, we risk losing them forever - along with their unmatched adaptability and cultural significance.
Next time you see that village dog sleeping under a mango tree, remember:
“Imported doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes, what you’re looking for has been right at your gate all along.”
Feature Friday Challenge
Have you owned or met an amazing local breed? Share your story in the comments or tag @TheVetVortex with your dog’s photo. Let’s give our local gems the spotlight they deserve!
Stay curious, stay vortexy and stay compansionate.