Which dog breeds are native to the US?
Which dog breeds are native to the US?
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They may not be red, white, and blue, but there are a few dozen dog breeds that are considered American. Some have names that reveal exactly where they’re from, like the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Boston Terrier.
Most “American” dogs have roots in other countries, and were further selectively bred, as in the American Cocker Spaniel or American Bulldog.
About thirty years ago, however, the wild “Carolina Dog” was discovered. It was designed through natural selection. Additionally, the American Eskimo Dog is the only breed that has a genetic link to the extinct Indian Village Dogs that were indigenous to our continent.
As with people, American dogs are quite varied in every aspect, but there’s probably one just right for you!
- Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series