The Native American Indian Dog is a rare breed distinguished by its long, pointy ears, thick coat, piercing stare, and commanding stature. They are often robust, clever, and dependable working dogs, according to K9 Web. Their loyal, friendly personality, as well as their hypoallergenic coat, making them perfect family pets.
The breed’s popularity has surged in recent years, although several questions remain: Where did the Native American Indian Dog breed originate? Was this breed a friend to the first Native Americans? Are there any Native dogs left?
Native American Indian Dog Breed: Origin, The Truth, and How to Adopt One
Basics of Native American Indian Dogs
Your first impression of a Native American Indian dog can be that of a wolf. The Native American Indian Dog is a charming breed that closely resembles the wild appearance of its forefathers.
These dogs have a light, robust body, and they can get rather big, reaching a maximum weight of over 100 pounds. Their brilliant, almond-shaped eyes, which range in color from brown to amber, are a clear indication of their intellect. The American Indian Dog’s big, sharply pricked ears ensure that it hears every sound that comes its way as it is always on guard.
The majority of people are initially drawn to the Native American Indian Dog because of its beautiful appearance, but it doesn’t take long for them to realize that these canines are also very intelligent.
These canines have received training for a range of jobs, including family pets, therapy dogs, hunting partners, skijoring dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Despite having a wild appearance, Native American Indian Dogs make excellent family pets and get along well with kids when properly socialized.
The Native American Indian Dog is a charming breed that closely resembles the wild appearance of its forefathers.
Origin
The Native American Indian Dog is believed to share a similar ancestry with the Dingo, despite the fact that its exact origins are uncertain.
In fact, many believe the Native American Indian Dog to be a missing link connecting to some of the first dogs domesticated by humans over 12,000 years ago.
When various migrating groups and foreign traders visited North America, they brought with them native dogs from their homelands. The native inhabitants of North America bred these dogs with the Coyote that was native to North America, creating a distinct breed that came to be called the Common Indian Dog or the Common Native Dog.
Throughout the 1700’s, Native Americans all over the continent bred different dogs to achieve unique breeds with specific abilities. This being the case, the original Native American Indian Dogs were a conglomeration of different breeds rather than a single, unified breed.
Modern breeders of the Native American Indian Dog strive to recreate the appearance and versatility of the dogs originally kept by Native Americans.
Using historical documents left by missionaries, trappers and explorers, the Native American Indian Dog breed was founded and trademarked by Mrs.
Karen Markel during the mid-1990s. The owner of Majestic View Kennels, Markel sought to achieve through selective breeding the most valuable traits of the original Native American Indian Dogs – intelligence, versatility, longevity and a hypoallergenic coat.
Today, these dogs are prized for their hunting ability and are also used as therapy dogs, competition dogs and family pets.
The origins of the Native American Indian Dog, and thus his pedigree, are widely debated. This is a relatively recent and a very rare breed, so there’s still not much we know about it, but there is one important thing about Native American Indian Dog’s ancestry we do know about- these are NOT wolf hybrids. The stunning wild looks of the breed are just that- looks- and any breeder who says otherwise is a dubious one. Wolf hybrids or wolfdogs are the results of mating between a wolf and a domestic dog, and the Native American Indian Dog was developed only from domesticated dog breeds.
So, what does this hybrid’s family tree look like? The breed is commonly thought to have descended from the Common Indian Dog, dogs that were bred by Native Americans as a cross between the native Coyote and the dogs brought to the continent by traders and explorers.
Breeders claim that it was the two dogs acquired from Native American tribes that started the breed. Then, multiple other wolf-like dog breeds were introduced to the gene pool, including Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, and Chinook.
The exact ratio of breeds is not known, but the mix of these gorgeous dogs results in a truly unique canine with a good character to boot. Needless to say, breeding plays a crucial role- a good choice of breeding stock, responsible practices, and care for the health and wellbeing of the litter is essential for a well-balanced and healthy Native American Indian Dog.
As a hybrid breed, the Native American Indian Dog is not recognized by the American Kennel Club or its international counterparts. Owing to this, puppies won’t be eligible for official pedigree papers, but a responsible breeder should offer a certificate and/or health guarantee for their puppies.
Food/Diet
What does one feed a dog that looks like a wolf? You might think that Native American Indian Dog would prefer hunting for his own meals based off of his looks, but the truth is that these pooches love kibble same as the next pet dog. With a good choice of high-quality dry food for dogs, your new pet will be set up to thrive.
Of course, you should choose kibble that’s made from high-grade, natural ingredients with meat being the first item on the list. Avoid cheap brands full of fillers and artificial dyes and additives. As a rule of thumb, Native American Indian Dog does good on dry food adapted to his unique needs- formula for large, active dogs is usually a good fit.
Also, make sure that the kibble is age-appropriate, as fast growing Native American Indian Dog puppies will have different needs than, say, an aging senior.
Some Native American Indian Dog owners prefer going the raw food route or cooking their dog homemade meals. This can also be a good option for your pet, but only if you know what type of nutrients and ratios they need to stay healthy. Make sure to consult with a vet first if you plan on making your pet’s food- otherwise, you could be risking serious damage to their health.
The Native American Indian Dog is a highly intelligent breed that has the capacity to respond very well to training.
Training
The Native American Indian Dog is a highly intelligent breed that has the capacity to respond very well to training. These dogs are naturally eager to please, so they will respond well to a firm and consistent hand in training. Native American Indian Dogs are sensitive animals that tend to do best when their owner is firm in authority, but without being harsh or cruel. Consistency is the key to training these dogs properly
This breed is incredibly versatile. The Native American Indian Dog can be trained to perform a variety of working tasks as well as to compete in agility or obedience training. This breed has also been used as a service animal and is prized as a hunting companion.
Weight
A large- to extra-large-sized breed, the Native American Indian Dog weighs between 55 and 120 lbs. (25 to 55 kg) in adulthood. Of course, being this large, this dog will need a lot of free space on a day-to-day basis.
Tiny houses and apartments are out of question – the Native American Indian Dog will simply feel cooped up and unhappy in these spaces. The best solutions are a spacious house, a fenced-in yard, or a ranch environment. These dogs simply need the space to run and exercise.
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