While the Africanis is recognized by the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) as an emerging breed, researchers on the ground, such as anthropologist Sian Hall, hold that the various different types of indigenous African dogs have already developed, over thousands of years, as types suited to their specific conditions by Africa's own indigenous peoples.
Sementara africanis diiktiraf oleh Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) sebagai ras muncul, peneliti di situs, seperti antropolog Sian Hall, berpegang bahwa pelbagai jenis anjing Afrika asli berlainan telah pun dikembangkan, selama beribu-ribu tahun, karena jenis disesuaikan dengan kondisi tertentunya oleh suku-suku pribumi Afrika sendiri.