An inside look at the rise of dog breeding, challenges, and a growing community dedicated to improving canine welfare and standards across Tanzania.

Over the past ten years, beginning around 2014, Tanzania has witnessed an explosion of interest in dog breeding. Hundreds possibly thousands of dogs were brought into the country, mostly from neighboring Kenya, which at the time was far ahead in canine affairs across the region.

Between 2019 and 2023, a major shift occurred. More experienced Tanzanian breeders began sourcing dogs from Europe and other top global kennels. But as the number of breeding operations grew, a deeper concern began to emerge: was this growth backed by knowledge, passion, and standards?

True pedigree breeding requires four non-negotiables: knowledge, passion, commitment, and love for the outcome. Without these, the industry risks veering into mass production rather than quality refinement. Here’s a closer look at how challenges and progress have shaped Tanzania’s breeding landscape.

In the early days, dog breeds were widely misunderstood. Many referred to all working breeds as “police dogs,” simply because that was their only reference point. Over time, the German Shepherd and Rottweiler gained popularity, followed by the Boerboel, which introduced a new layer of intimidation and appeal. Breeders began to prioritize aggression as a mark of quality, a flawed assumption. In the absence of education, dogs were imported en masse, especially from Kenya, with little regard for bloodlines or genetic integrity.

Dog breeding in Tanzania initially became more of a commercial venture than a calling rooted in genuine passion. It was a period marked by economic hardship, when many sectors were collapsing and people were seeking new ways to sustain their livelihoods. Breeding dogs, much like farming watermelons (Tikiti), pineapples (Nanasi) in Bagamoyo, or raising goats and poultry, became just another path toward self-reliance.

This doesn’t discount the true pioneers like Sycamore Kennels the late Katavo who had been dedicated to dogs long before this wave. Their commitment was driven by love for the animals, not profit. But as demand surged and market value increased, breeding became an opportunistic trade for many. The focus shifted to quantity over quality. A “good dog” was often judged by size and appearance alone, rather than genetics, temperament, or health.

It’s difficult to speak of true commitment in the context of purebred dog breeding when both knowledge and passion have often been lacking. For many, the dedication shown wasn’t to the improvement of breed quality but to the pursuit of profit. The business of dogs became just that business. But breeding high-quality dogs demands far more than financial motivation. It calls for firm commitment and intrinsic passion for the process itself. Even with oversight and regulations in place, the potential for manipulation remains significant. That’s why a breeder must not only understand the technical and ethical standards but must also love the craft. It requires resilience enduring long timelines, substantial costs, and emotional investment all for the sake of raising dogs that are healthier, better tempered, and true to their breeds.

As with any producer, be it a farmer, manufacturer, or breeder, the love for the outcome is often shaped by the goals they set. In Tanzania’s dog breeding landscape, those goals were typically driven by volume, appearance, and market appeal. Breeders focused on producing dogs that looked impressive and could sell quickly, with little understanding or concern for long-term genetic quality.

Unfortunately, the market itself lacked the knowledge to demand better. The definition of a “quality dog” was shallow, based more on superficial traits than on health, temperament, or lineage. Ironically, some breeders did invest heavily, importing dogs from world class bloodlines. But did they safeguard or elevate that genetic legacy? The honest answer is no. Many didn’t realize the value of what they had in their own backyards, let alone how to protect or nurture it.

The East African Kennel Club (EAKC) had been in existence since the colonial era and included Tanzania. But until the late 1990s, it was almost entirely inactive within the country. As breeding gained traction, a few Tanzanians joined the EAKC to gain credibility. Yet the organization never hosted shows, workshops, or meaningful outreach in Tanzania. To many, it felt distant almost exclusively “Kenyan.”

Between 2000 and 2022, several grassroots initiatives emerged, such as “Wadau wa Mbwa Tz,” advocating for more structured breeding and education. A milestone came in 2024 when Boerboel owners brought judges from South Africa’s KUSA for the first formal dog appraisal event in Tanzania. These efforts paved the way for The Canine Foundation of Tanzania (TCF) a long-awaited institution dedicated to fostering ethical breeding, breed awareness, and canine excellence.

Yes, you can find purebred pedigree dogs in Tanzania. But here’s the reality: many owners may not even realize the pedigree or value of the dog they have. Lack of awareness and inadequate documentation often blur the line between quality and quantity. Still, a committed community of passionate breeders is working day and night to uplift standards. With structured bodies like TCF stepping in, there’s a renewed sense of direction.  

The mission now is clear: build knowledge, breed with purpose, and create a culture where quality triumphs over quantity. TCF is here to guide breeders, enthusiasts, and future dog owners toward that path to a Tanzania where dogs are bred with integrity, pride, and vision.

Written by: Natty