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Let's talk about American Indian Dog dogs! Please share you experiences, thoughts and feelings about the American Indian Dog dog and American Indian Dog puppies.

I have 2 American Indian Dogs and am the Southern California Rep for these amazing coyote-like dogs. Mine are extremely intelligent and aware. Wonderful dogs.

K I

I've recently become very interested in Native American Indian Dogs. After doing quite a lot of internet research and reading all the usual web-site information, I am at the point where I'd really like to meet some of these remarkable animals. Does anyone know of any owners in the general mid-Atlantic area? I live in Pennsylvania. Thanks.

For those interested in this "breed" and are considering getting one: please. please do your homework. Do plenty of research and learn as much as possible about this type of dog. It is not a "breed" per se. There isn't a breed called: American Indian Dog. The dogs that are being bred with this name are basically mutts. They are designer dogs. Different dog breeds are being used for breeding to get a result that LOOKS like the dogs depicted in Native American pictures or those seen on reserves. A few breeders have an idea of what this breed should look like so they are just adding this and that to get an exotic, unique-looking dog. BUT, beware. Quite a few of these dogs have behavioural issues. Quite a few have also ended up in shelters across the States. When you only breed for looks, traits that make up characteristics like sound temperament often are not high on the priority list for these breeders (no matter what they may say to the contrary). For the amount of money some of these breeders are asking for this type of dog "breed" you can get the same looking dog at your local humane society. The "genetics" will be the same.

On the other hand, there are owners that have these dogs and they say that they are wonderful. Temperament is fine, health is good etc. Like all dogs, there are good ones and bad ones. I'm just saying: beware. Research as much as possible. Learn all you can before getting one. Also, there isn't anything mystical about these dogs at all. First and foremost: they are dogs!

Theo

One important thing that I have learned, since my last posting, is that there is a significant difference between the dogs called American Indian Dogs (AIDs) and those called Native American Indian Dogs (NAIDs). There seems to be a lot more controversy surrounding the AID breed, whose founder is Kim LaFlamme. The NAIDs have more of the sled-dog look, whereas the AIDs have more of a Kelpie-look. The NAID people are fairly open about the fact that their breed is essentially a recreation of the original Native American dog. The AID people seem to insist that they have found enough representatives of the original that they have been able to maintain the early blood lines, which is a premise that most geneticists find very hard to swallow. I have also turned up numerous accusations of fraud, which, unfortunately, are hard to prove or disprove. I am continuing to learn all I can, so I would be interested to hear anyone else's experience.

The AIDs and the NAIDs are totally different lines. The NAIDs are much larger (they can reach well over 100 lbs) and have husky/malamute in their genetics. The AIDs are smaller (about 40-60 lbs) and have more herding breeds in their genetics (eg. kelpie and border collie). Due to the northern breeds in the NAIDs makeup, they won't be as reliable off leash as the AIDs. I'm not saying that all of them aren't reliable, just like huskies, not all run away when let off leash. I'm just saying that you have to be careful with the NAIDs.

It is rumoured that the person that started the NAIDs used to breed wolf/dog hybrids. When it was legislated in her state that this was illegal, her dogs suddenly disappeared. Some believe that she just changed the name of her "dogs" into the NAID and thus there is wolf blood in the lines. I, myself have no proof of this, it is what I've heard from several people.


Again, like all dog breeds, there are owners of the NAIDs that love their dog and there are owners that have loads of problems with their NAID. Skittishness is a common problem as well as weak temperament. Look in the shelters. You will see this type of dog showing up as more breeders breed this type of designer dog.

As for the AID breeders stating that they have enough of the original blood lines to keep it going. My question is this: what is the original blood line made up of that they are able to keep it going? The dogs on the reservation are of mixed blood to begin with. Thus, they are not able to prove or disprove their point since there is no test that can confirm their claim.

I'm not saying don't get either of this type of dog. I'm saying do your homework. Realize what these dogs really are. Expensive mutts. They are not a pure breed at all. As for the registries that they "belong to". Those are not very serious registries and many are made up by the breeders themselves.

As an aside: I have a AID. I did at one time consider getting a NAID but decided on the smaller one. I love my dog. I will never ever give up my dog. But, she was a difficult puppy to raise and I was having a tough time. It was then that I started to hear the rumours and controversy regarding the breeding practices surrounding the AID breeders and I started to suspect what was being written by these breeders regarding these dogs. I got in contact with other owners of this dog and we pooled our resources and facts that we learned about our dogs and we learned the truth. As soon as I found out that my dog is mainly kelpie, her behaviour quirks made sense. Our training improved greatly and all in all she's a great dog. BUT, she is very skittish and reactive. Her temperament is not the greatest but we love her. I state this because if someone decides to get this type of dog, realize what it is and it will help you in terms of training it. It makes it very difficult to train a puppy if you don't know what the majority of it's genetics is.

Theo

Well I have two AIDs and associate with other AID owners. I cannot give any technical jargon on the breeding of these dogs but I will say after owning many other dogs, these are uniquely different. One of my AIDs I have raised from a pup and the other I adopted. Trying to explain what I mean by "different" is extremely difficult. Everything about them is "different". They are much more "alive" and "aware" than any other dogs I have owned. They are extremely intelligent and quick learners. One of my dogs is entering an off-leash class and is already working off-leash so I can at least speak for one AID that works off-leash.

I agree that the AIDs are not for everyone. For someone who really enjoys being with their dog and wants to spend some fascinating time wtih their dog being constantly amazed at their learning capabilities, they are a great dog. For people who just want to occasionally be with their dog, it is not a good choice.

As with all dogs, what you put in is what you get out. Owners that are not willing to discipline and train their dogs, may not end up with an obedient dog.

K

i have been trying to find info that can pinpoint the main breeds that compose the NAID ... i met a woman at my local dog park and she mentioned there is german shepherd dog, alaskan malamute, husky and wolf that are predominant ... these dogs are beautiful animals ... i own a pure gsd and a mix, both of which are rescues but i am curious as to the different breeds that are part of the NAID bloodline...

alexandra

Bump

I am here to tell you that the claim that NAID'd don't have any gentic defects is completely false and that any one considering getting one be extremely careful. The breeders (ALL OF THEM) are nutz and the whole practice should be shut down. They completely fabricated a breed from mixing other breeds and are selling them for loads of money. The faults of this breed are numeress including hipdisplasia and deafness, as for them being hypoalergenic HA! Nice try. These dogs are glorified wolf hybrids. Nothing more...