Native American Dog Breeds

The romanticization of Native American culture and history is deeply ingrained in our identity as a nation. We tend to idealize indigenous North America as a primeval Garden of Eden, its inhabitants untainted by Western materialism and ecocide. It's no surprise that non-indigenous Americans crave the companionship of Native American dog breeds, perhaps hoping that they might, on some level, link us to the aboriginal cultures we claim to admire.

Several breeds of Native American Indian dogs have existed in the past, and a handful still exist today. None of these are unadulterated descendants of the dogs originally kept by pre-colonial Native Americans, but many still play a role in modern native culture and are critical to the global community of dog fanciers.

Rez Dog

If any Native American dog breed still exists as the majority-culture envisions-- as an animal living among Native Americans--it would be the lowly "rez dog." This is not the name of a formally recognized breed. Rather, it is an informal term applied to stray and feral dogs that live in rural areas in and around reservation land. Like most populations of un-neutered, free-roaming dogs, rez dogs in some areas develop common characteristics that distinguish them from other mutts. However, they are not a distinct breed and have no identifiable, specific features. Rez dogs are generally a mix of common European breeds, not a genetic link to dogs of the distant past.

Native American Indian Dog

This breed is arguably a scam, not an actual breed. The so-called Native American Indian dog breed, or NAID, is not recognized by the American Kennel Club or any other reputable organization. NAIDs were created recently by a single breeder, who crosses huskies, collies, chinooks, and German shepherds, and other European breeds with rez dogs. Their ancestry is admittedly European, but proponents of the breed claim that it physically and behaviorally resembles now-extinct breeds of aboriginal dog-- despite having no way to verify these claims. I believe that this racist, exploitative "breed" is an example of the majority-culture benefiting from selling Native American culture and should be avoided.

Alaskan Malamute 
The only popular breed native to pre-colonial North America, the Alaskan malamute hails from what is now Alaska and Canada. Developed by the Inuit natives of the region, the malamute is a strong, sturdy breed now valued as both a working dog and family pet. It has maintained the distinct lupine appearance of its relatively recent ancestors and, despite some out-breeding with European dogs over the last several decades, it remains one of the few indisputably aboriginal breeds endemic to North America.

Canadian Eskimo Dog

Known to have inhabited North America for an astonishing 4,000 years, the Canadian Eskimo dog is as indigenous to the Northern landscape as the ancient cultures who cultivated it for its strength and bravery. Canadian Eskimo dogs are now extremely rare, but believed to represent an almost unbroken line between modern dogs and dogs of the ancient past. This indigenous North American breed is hardy and hard-working, traditionally used for hunting caribou and pulling sleds.

Carolina Dog

The Carolina dog may be the last living link to historic Native American dog breeds as we traditionally conceptualize them-- a historical resident what is now the continental U.S. Also called the Carolina dingo or dixie dingo, Carolina dogs are the wild descendants of semi-tame Native American dog breeds. They physiologically resemble wolves and coyotes and are biologically very similar to other pariah breeds, like the Canaan dog and the dingo. Reputable breeders are working to bring this dog back from the brink of extinction, both as a pet and as a wild inhabitant of the wilderness areas of the low country.

Hare Indian Dog

Closely resembling the coyote, now-extinct Hare Indian dog was used extensively by a group of pre-colonial Native Americans known as the Hare tribe. Bred for speed, this quick-witted, friendly dog was a skilled hunter. It was roughly the size of a whippet, with a slender muzzle, pointed ears, slender legs, and a bushy, curled tail. The Hare Indian dog became extinct in the 19th century as it interbred with dogs introduced by white settlers. There are no Hare Indian dogs in existence today, although Canadian Eskimo dogs and Newfoundland dogs may carry some Hare Indian dog ancestry.