Thursday 28 June 2007

Native American Indian Dog


Exactly 131 years ago in June 1876, Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry were wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in the Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana. Sitting Bull’s force was 4000 strong and hundreds were killed on both sides. In incidents such as this, I also think of the dogs. The dogs are known as the Native American Indian dog. It is a very rare, almost extinct breed of dog that was used by the Native Americans to pull travois and pack loaded with the family’s possessions' across thousands of miles of the North American continent. These dogs were used for hunting everything from quail to rabbits, bear to beaver, elk to caribou to moose and were even taught how to fish by the Native Americans. They were used to baby-sit the elderly and very young and guard the village from intruders. They accompanied the women and children while they were gathering berries, roots, herbs and other food sources and protected them from man and wild beast alike. They played a very vital role in the lives of the original Americans and were their sole beast of burden until the horse was introduced by the Spaniards.

14 comments:

Whispering Walls said...

Why are those dogs almost extinct - were they slaughtered with their masters?

jmb said...

Another interesting post, on something I knew nothing about. Yes why are they almost extinct?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I knew nothing about this either, eurodog. Intreseting slice of history.

Eurodog said...

Unfortunately history tells us what happened to the Native Americans and hence the fate of everything that surrounded their culture. Dogs are part of this culture. Today there are only a few breeders of Native American Indian Dogs in the world.

Radio said...

thanks for this information. interesting. i lie your blog, there is always something good to read.

Anonymous said...

Their bravery would have been instinctive, what a fabulous animal. I hatge to think of them beocming extinct.

Unknown said...

Very interesting looking dog, especially the spots. It resembles a husky a little bit too.

Cornish Dreamer said...

The story of the Native Indians is heartbreaking to say the least, and the loss in culture incalculable.

At least there are still a few breeders left, and perhaps one day their numbers will increase.

Flowerpot said...

fascinating post, as ever, eurodog.

Anonymous said...

Look at :
http://www.indiandogs.eigenstart.nl/

About the american Indian dog and there history.

Eurodog said...

Anon,
Bedankt voor de link die ik in mijn blog opnam als referentie.
Bedankt ook voor uw bezoek.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sassy Barrel Racing said...

hi, we have a weblog about these dogs too indiandog.blogspot.com we like your site !

Anonymous said...

My family welcomed our new family member last year, a Native American Indian Dog. I believe there are only six or seven breeders in the USA. I wanted to know if you could post some helpful sites with more information about this rare breed. Our dog is still a puppy, only one and a half, but he's soooo smart. Thanks.