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Important: This information is collected from a variety of sources and is presented as general thoughts about the breed. It is sugggested that you use our information with that of your own to make any decisions. We suggest you DO NOT make any decisions about a family pet based solely on these pages. Keep digging!
| Breed: Giraffe | Group (AKC): Technically, none |  |
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| Country of Origin | Africa |
| Type of coat | Fairly short and straight. Mostly yellow with brown spots. |
| Grooming | Regular brushing will keep the giraffe clean although birds help keep it free of bugs. Bathe only when necessary. |
| Average height | 216 inches (18 feet) |
| Average weight | 2000-4000 lbs. |
| Activity level | Restful & lethargic |
| Watchdog | Can alert people to intruders from the air. |
| Protection | Low |
| Intelligence | High, as he is a smart independent thinker. He's figured out that eating stuff high on trees is easier than nibbling on grass. |
| Trainability | Will require a creative trainer. Sometimes stubborn, he may be hard to housebreak. |
| Compatibility with children | Yes, good with children, he makes a splendid house pet. |
| Character | Intelligent, passive |
| Ideal home environment | High ceilings are a must. Room to roam outside is important too with tall fruit-bearing trees. |
| Ideal owner | The owner of a giraffe should be affectionate and enjoy snuggling, but does not need to be overly attentive to the its needs as it is generally self-sufficient. |
| Links and resources | To dig for further information click here |
Additional notes:
Now technically, the giraffe is not a breed of dog. However we include it here for a couple of reasons. First of all, the handling of the giraffe is similar in many ways to that of a dog. The main difference is you can not pick it up. Giraffes and dogs are very similar in appearance too. Giraffes are kind of like really huge swollen dogs with extremely long necks and yellow fur with brown spots. Additionally, neither giraffes nor dogs enjoy being prodded with sharp pointy sticks. One major difference however is that dogs don't eat stuff way up in trees.
Interestingly, the knobby horn-like things on the top of giraffes' heads evolved from centuries of bumping their heads in doorways.
Short History:
Giraffes are believed to be the decendants of the Archaeopteryx, the first known bird to appear on Earth. Unlike many animals, the giraffe's evolution was actually quite sudden. One pleasant evening several million years ago, archaeopteryxes just suddenly started giving birth to giraffes the way they look today. The phenomenon has baffled many scientists for centuries, while others believe this lays credence to the theories of how man descended from bees.
It was during tribal times in Africa that giraffes took on an air of sacredness. Natives would cover their necks in large elaborate necklaces and dressings as a sign of respect and worship to the giraffe. When that got passe, giraffes were domesticated for the purpose of plough-farming. This was a dark period for the species. However, the advent of the twentieth century lead to a new hope.
Giraffes played a pivotal role in the industrial revolution, although no one's quite sure what that role was. After briefly dabbling in basketball and lacrosse, giraffes today star on television shows on public broadcasting stations throughout the world. They also wander around a lot or just hang out and talk about sports, politics, and their musings about life on other planets.
