Native American Dog Breeds
Most dog breeds whose origins can be traced back to the modern day are extinct. However, a handful are still around today, like the Alaskan Malamute, the Xoloitzcuintle, and the Peruvian Inca Orchid.
The tribes that used to live at the time bred these dogs for various purposes. Some, like the Dakota and the Mexica, used them for meat. At the same time, the Inca and the Chiribaya reared them for herding purposes. There are records of these dogs being kept as lap dogs or companions, even back in those ancient times.
List of Native American Dog Breeds
Caribbean
- Alcos
North America
- Alaskan Malamute
- Calupoh
- Canadian Eskimo Dog
- Carolina Dog
- Chihuahua
- Greenland Dog
- Hare Indian Dog
- Itzcuintli
- Salish Wool Dog
- Tahltan Bear Dog
- Techichi
- Xoloitzcuintle
South America
- Chiribaya Dog
- Fuegian Dog
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
Native American Dog Breeds by Size
Big Native American Dog Breeds: Alaskan Malamute, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Greenland Dog, etc.
Medium Native American Dog Breeds: Carolina Dog
Small Native American Dog Breeds: Chihuahua, Salish Wool Dog, Techichi, etc.
Dogs mistakenly believed to have Native American origins:
The origin of the Catahoula Leopard Dog is heavily disputed, with some assuming it may be a Native American dog breed. But others believe it was a crossbreed of Beauceron dogs brought by French settlers and local swamp-hunting wolfdogs.
FAQs
Many of these dogs are not around anymore. These include the Hare Indian Dog, the Salish Wool Dog, the Techichi, the Chiribaya Dog, and the Fuegian Dog.
Evidence for dogs living in the Americas can be traced back to 9,000-10,000 BC, in Danger Cave, Utah. Their ancestors are believed to be Old World Eurasian grey wolves.
