Everything You Need To Know About The Native American Dog

Like other breeds, the Native American Dog has a place in history and tradition and has its own unique and interesting story. Many people don’t know much about them—even those who own them. However, to fully appreciate these lovely pets, it helps to look closely at them and see their background and variations. In this exploration, we will walk through this remarkable breed’s origins, significance, and variations.
Origins and History

Native American Dogs first arrived in the Americas about 10,000 years ago when Paleo-Indians arrived. One theory about the origin of the Native American dog says there were four different introductions of the dog across the last 9,000 years, with five lineages from the Americas.
Cultural Significance

NADs were used as sacrifices in religious ceremonies. Archaeologists found the burial of 100+ dogs in Peru. For the Incas, they would sacrifice dogs to bring the Moon back during lunar eclipses. They were also buried with elite people so they could guide them to the afterlife. Many thought the Peruvian hairless dogs could see spirits.
Historical Purposes

In Mexico, it was common to have a NAD as a pet. Hunters also took them along to track and run after games. One of the breeds, the Tahltan Bear Dog, was used in hunting for larger game. Some cultures used them in herding animals like llamas and alpacas, including Chiribaya and Inca. These dogs were also a food source for humans.
Modern Breeds

Many Native American Dogs have gone extinct, including the Fuegian Dog, Peruvian Shepherd Dog, Techichi, Hare Indian Dog, and Salish Wool Dog. However, some still exist today in different parts of the Americas. Below, we’ll talk about some of them.
Chihuahua

Most kennel clubs recognize Chihuahuas as the smallest breed of dogs. They’re probably the most popular native dogs and are used for show or companionship. Their life span is 12 years and above, and comes in various colors.
Xoloitzcuintle

The Xoloitzcuintle has large ears like those of bats and eyes shaped like almonds. Some are hairless, and some are coated. Their hairlessness is the result of a spontaneous mutation long ago. They can be of any color—blue, red, and black, among the most common—and may be spotted, splashed, or marked.
Carolina Dog

At 18-24 inches, they are medium-sized dogs. They have long, slim, erect ears with pointed tips and strong legs supporting their muscular frame. Among the colors they come in are reddish ginger, fawn, and black-and-tan, and they may have white areas. Even among the light-coloured ones, their lips are commonly black.
Perro Pila Argentino

Perro Pila Argentinos are mainly dark-skinned or have dark spots. This breed originates from Argentina, where fewer than 2,000 of them currently exist. They can be as tall as 45cm, hairless or longhaired, and may bear any color.
Greenland Dog

The Greenland dog has a broad head and small ears. It’s double-coated—the internal layer has short, wool-ish fur, and the external one has longer, water-repellent fur. With a few exceptions, its color can be anything from black to fawn. It has a triangular-shaped part on its shoulder called “ulo.”
Canadian Inuit Dog

Some people consider the Greenland Dog the same as the Canadian Eskimo Dog and argue that their geographical location is the only thing that differentiates them. This breed sadly faces extinction, as there were only 300 purebreds left in 2008.
Calupoh

The Calupoh is a Mexican hybrid of dog and wolf developed in the 1990s. The aim was to recreate the ancient wolf dogs in pre-Columbian texts and Mayan and Aztec artwork. Mexico’s kennel club, Federacion Canofila Mexicana, recognizes it as a breed.
Alaskan Malamute

Male Alaskan Malamute can weigh up to 85 pounds, and females ten pounds less. The female height is around 58cm, and the male around 64cm. They are double-coated—the one underneath is woolly and oily skin, and the one outside is coarse. Their small ears stand firmly erect when at attention. They can live for over 11 years.
Peruvian Hairless Dog

The “naked dog” may be significant, medium, or small, with sizes ranging from 40 cm to 65 cm. Their weight greatly depends on their height. They can be as light as 9 pounds and as heavy as 55. They originated in Peru.