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herpderpedian t1_j26f2pa wrote

Very interesting. I never knew about native dogs. Thanks for posting.

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scummy_shower_stall t1_j28jsj5 wrote

The tribes of the Pacific Northwest had a little white dog that they would use the shed hair from to weave warm clothes. White settlers put a permanent end to that. Woops, the article did mention the dog!

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TheGrandExquisitor t1_j2b1cyv wrote

Dogs were pretty much the only domesticated animal, except for the turkey, which was relegated to Puebloan people. Well, once you get into Mexico they show up, but not so much north of what eventually became the border.

Dogs are pretty much common to all Native American societies though. Use varied. From the Salish Wool Dog, to the dogs used by the Plains tribes which were used to pull loads. In fact, the Plains groups were considered excellent dog breeders. And when horses showed up, they adapted that technology very quickly. Really savvy animal breeders and trainers. Their skill was widely admired.

In fact, I don't think there are any people who don't traditionally have dogs. Maybe a few outliers, but dogs were the first animals we domesticated and we have had them with us for 40,000 years.

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herpderpedian t1_j2b4c7r wrote

Interesting! I've heard of Xoloitzcuintlis before but I never connected dogs with Native Americans in the US region for some reason.

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