You can think of the Native American Indian dog as a dog equivalent of a phoenix. Or even better, a “spirit dog,” which is the name given to them by the Native Americans. Once believed to be extinct, this ancient breed descends from the dogs that were faithful and helpful companions to Native Americans for centuries.
Their protectiveness sometimes makes them reserved around strangers, which is something that could never been said when you watch them behave with children.
They will be gentle, watchful and loving towards the youngest members of your family, and helpful and adaptable towards the adults.
Native American Indian dogs are also the perfect choice for active singles, people who live in the country, and all-around outdoorsy types. Make sure to give them positive feedback and commands when training them, as they can prove to be quite sensitive. They’re very inquisitive and energetic, so an apartment is not the right kind of a living environment for them.
This highly intelligent breed can live up to 18 years, and besides their few genetic health traits they are usually of good health. Grooming them is nothing to be feared either, as they require daily brushing only during spring and fall shedding seasons. They either have a short/dense or a longhaired coat (ranging from black to tortoise shell), which covers their athletic, medium-sized frame.
Dear lord, NO. -They are not an “ancient breed”, they are a modern “recreation” of what people guess the NA’s dogs might have looked like, made by mixing various mutts together. -Despite how it’s downplayed, they have wolfdog heritage (several generations back) making them prone to shyness and NOT good “pets”for the casual owner. -Many, many NAID dogs have ended up in rescue within mere months of adoption, and they’re often on their 3rd or 4th home by 2 years, IF they live that long. People working in wolfdog rescue see them all the time, and they don’t always make… Read more »
I have a Native American Indian Dog and he is absolutely wonderful. He is extremely friendly and well mannered. Dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters because people don’t always know what they are getting into and purchase pets that don’t fit with their lifestyle or they don’t put in the time to train properly. NAIDs are fairly large and can be exuberant, it’s not a bad thing but not for everyone. Don’t put the whole breed down because you’ve seen a few at the shelters. It is true though, this is not an ancient breed. It was… Read more »