If you’ve always loved the idea of having a wolf as a pet but the practicality of it never worked out, perhaps the Native American Indian Dog is the right dog for you! These pups look very similar to their wolf ancestors and may often be mistaken for them, but they are in fact very different.
Perfect as a companion dog or a family pet, the Native American Indian Dog is a very old breed, yet they are still relatively rare to find in homes. If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating dog, read on below to see whether they might be the right pet for you.
History Of The Native American Indian Dog
It is thought that the Native American Indian Dog is around 30,000 years old, so these pups have been around a while! It has been thought by some specialists that this breed of dog could even be the missing piece between wolves and the dog as we know it today.
The Native American Indian Dog has often been used as a working dog with the law enforcement, as a search and rescue dog, as a therapy dog and guide dog, as a hunting and tracking dog and as a nanny dog! However, the breed is still not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a purebred breed.
Fortunately, they are recognised by the Native American Indian Dog Registry, the National Kennel Club and the Dog Registry of America.
Breed Origin
The complete origin of this large breed dog is not known. They are indigenous to America, both North and South, and this dog was primarily used for herding, hunting, tracking and guarding. Unfortunately, the original bloodline of this breed is now extinct, so modern breeders had to try to recreate the breed.
They used old documents such as paintings and photographs to try to emulate the wolf dog that had once lived. So, while the modern Native American Indian Dog is not exactly the same as their ancestors, it is as close as breeders could get.
Characteristics Of The Native American Indian Dog
The Native American Indian Dog is a very rare breed. Because of this, finding a breeder can be difficult. Normally, the price of a Native American Indian Dog puppy is between $1,500 to $2,000. Their litter sizes vary from 4 to 10 pups.
Due to the fact they are such a rare breed, non-reputable breeders will try to pass off other breeds of dog as a Native American Indian Dog, such as a Husky or even a Coyote. This is why you should always buy from a respected breeder who can prove their dogs are really the breed they claim.
Appearance
The Native American Dog has a strong, wolf-like appearance that is hard to miss. These dogs are even often mistaken as a wolf. These dogs can be easily identified by their thick coat, their slender body and their slender tail. They are strong dogs but they can move very gracefully.
Native American Indian Dogs normally weigh between 50-120 lbs for a male and 45-100 lbs for a female. Males are usually taller too, standing between 18 to 20 inches, while females stand between 17 to 19 inches high.
Coat
The Native American Indian Dog has a thick double coat — shorter, denser undercoat and a thicker, fluffier overcoat. Although these pups have a lot of hair, they are actually a low-shedding dog and have also been called hypoallergenic dogs. This makes them an excellent pet for those with allergies. We will go into detail about grooming the Native American Indian Dog later on.
Color
These pups have a coat that is normally silver or black and it often has a tortoiseshell pattern. These dogs can also sometimes have a red or brown coat.
Temperament
The Native American Indian Dog is a loyal dog who is completely dedicated to their family. These gentle giants love their owners and will want to be with you all the time. They can be known to suffer from separation anxiety, so this is something you will have to train them out of from a young age. You can start by leaving them alone for a little while, and then build up to longer periods of time. However, you shouldn’t be thinking about purchasing one of these pups if you are continuously out for hours at a time.
This wolf hybrid is a protective dog who will believe it is their job to protect you. They also can be independent and stubborn when they’re young, both of which can be trained out of them with early socialization. They can also make great watchdogs and guard dogs.
Extremely loving, don’t let their wolf like appearance scare you off. These dogs love children and other animals and will love to play with them and feel a part of the family. All these pups really want is love and attention and they’re not afraid to give it back to you either!
Lifespan
The Native American Indian Dog has a long life expectancy and can live to up to 20 years old! These pups live, on average, between 14 and 19 years.
Known Health Issues
Fortunately, due to their selective breeding, the Native American Indian Dog is actually a very healthy breed who is not predisposed to many health problems. The biggest health concern that these dogs face is hip dysplasia.
This is common in large dog breeds and is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch this issue before it becomes untreatable.
Daily Life
Now you know all about the traits and characteristics of the Native American Indian Dog, it is time to take a look and see what living with one of these pups on a day to day basis is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming requirements.
Food And Diet
The Native American Dog is not a fussy eater, but does require quite a lot of food. It is advised you feed them roughly 1,200 calories a day, which equates to around three cups of kibble. This should be split up into at least two meals.
Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight. Try not to feed your Native American Indian Dog too many treats. If you want to give them treats while you are training them, try some health snacks.
Always try to feed your Native American Indian Dog a balanced diet. There should certainly be a large amount of protein within the food to provide your pup with the energy they need to stay active. Take a look at the food we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Native American Indian Dog
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We recommend the CRAVE Grain Free High Protein dry dog food for your Native American Indian Dog. This food is formulated with 34% protein from real salmon, mimicking the diet of your dog’s wolf ancestors. This high protein helps to keep their muscles lean and healthy so they can stay active for longer.
This food has no grains present in the recipe but there are quality carbohydrates for sources of energy. There are also vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the formula to provide your Native American Indian Dog with a full and balanced diet. Even better, there are no chicken byproduct meals in this food, nor any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Exercise
The Native American Indian Dog breed is a very active dog who needs around 45 minutes of exercise a day. They love to be outside and so will not do well living in apartments — instead, they would love to have a yard to run around. Be careful though, it always needs to be fenced!
These native dogs love many different types of exercise. They love walking, running, hiking and swimming and will love to accompany you while you exercise. As they can be a little wary of strangers, it is important you watch your dog closely when out in public. They have a good recall and will not need to be kept on the leash, but this is still something to watch out for.
Family Compatibility
The Native American Indian Dog makes an excellent family dog. Although they can look intimidating due to their wolf-like appearance, they are extremely loving and loyal to their family members. They can have a protective streak and be wary of strangers, but fortunately this can be trained out of them.
These dogs love children and other animals and will get on well with them. Again, socialization may be needed at first, but this will not be a problem. The Native American Indian Dog can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time, so you must be sure you can dedicate enough family time to them before purchasing one of these pups.
Native American Indian Dogs love to exercise and will happily join the family while out and about. You can take them hiking, running and swimming, and they love to play with interactive toys and games, too, so they make the perfect exercise buddy! Fortunately, they are also relatively easy to train, so the family can join in on that too. However, due to their socialization needs and their high exercise needs, these dogs are often not recommended for first time owners.
Training
Native American Indian Dogs are an intelligent breed and this makes obedience training a breeze. You will need to be firm and consistent with these pups, but never harsh on them. They will respond best to positive reinforcement techniques and reward based training, including verbal praise and treats. If you yell or get angry at them, they will not want to learn and may become scared.
Due to their intelligence, it is important you keep them entertained. You can play games with your Native American Indian Dog such as “fetch”, but they also excel at agility and flyball. This helps to keep them mentally stimulated, too.
Socializing
We have mentioned above that the Native American Indian Dog can be wary and aloof around strangers. To combat this, you will need to start socializing them from a young age and be consistent with it. They may require quite a bit of socialization before they understand, which is one of the reasons they are not always recommended as a first dog.
You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe environment, until they learn that there is nothing to be afraid of. Fortunately, they bond very quickly to their family members.
Grooming
Although the Native American Indian Dog has a thick double coat, they actually do not shed that much and are classed as low-shedding. However, they do shed slightly all year round and so they will require weekly brushing.
Once a year, in the spring, these dogs will blowout their winter coats and shed heavily for about a week. During this time they will need to be brushed every day to remove any loose hairs.
Fortunately, these dogs do not need to be clipped because their coats help them to regulate their body temperature. They are also very clean dogs who do not require a bath unless they are muddy!
You should clip their nails as often as is needed and try to brush their teeth often, too, to prevent dental decay and disease. You can always use dental sticks if this is easier.
Native American Indian Dog FAQ’s
How much does a Native American Indian Dog cost?
A Native American Indian puppy can cost you anywhere between $1,500 to $2,000. This is due to the fact that they are a rare breed and finding breeders can be difficult. Remember, because they are rare, often breeders will try to pass off other breeds as an Native American Indian Dog. Always ensure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
If this is too far out of your price range or you are struggling to find a breeder, check your local shelter. You may not find a Native American Indian Dog, but you may find another pup who is looking for their forever home!
Is the Native American Indian Dog aggressive?
Not at all! The Native American Indian Dog is a very loyal, sweet-natured dog that loves their family. They can look intimidating due to their wolf-like appearance, but they’re gentle giants really! These dogs get on well with children and other animals too and, although socialization may be needed when introducing them to strangers, they can learn to love everyone!
These dogs love to be by your side and won’t want to be left alone. They like to join in with the family and feel loved and needed, so you can be assured that they are not aggressive!
Summary
Despite their wolf-like appearance and ancestors, the Native American Indian Dog makes an excellent household pet. Gentle and loving, these dogs are extremely loyal and just want to be by your side all the time. Wary of strangers and disliking being left alone, the Native American Indian Dog does require a fair bit of socialization and this is one of the reasons they are not recommended for first time owners. They also have high exercise needs which can be demanding if you have never owned a dog before!
That being said, these gentle giants love children and other animals and make a fantastic companion dog to almost everyone. Do you think a Native American Indian Dog could be the dog for you?