Is "Indian dog" a breed?

People have raised questions about whether the wolf-like North American Indian dog is a real, distinct breed. Here are some postings that describe how you create a dog breed.

How would one create a new dog breed?The first step is to decide on a breed standard. From that, you have to find a male and a female that will produce the breed standard you are looking for (or as close to it as possible)--you also to have them health tested to make sure you aren't starting a new breed with horrible genetic disorders. Once the breeding is done, you have to evaluate the litter to see if you got the type of dog you wanted- (keep in mind, that many times, you can't really tell what the dog will look llike as an adult until the puppies are around a year old.) Then, you have to take that dog, and another dog (not related to the first)--that will get you closer to a breed standard and repeat the process. You continue this process until you have 2 dogs that are of the breed standard you want that can mate and reproduce what you are looking for. (Just like you a really good idea what the pups of a male golden and a female golden are going to look like.)

Creating a new breed isn't about just tossing 2 dogs together, shake them up, and "voila" you have a new breed--it takes generations of dogs and many years (I would guess decades, if not longer) to get a new breed.

It's one of the reasons these "designer dogs" are not considered "breeds"--you can't breed a labradoodle to a labradoodle to get a litter of labradoodles--you still have to breed the lab to the poodle to get the mix involved.And:In order for a breed, new or old, to be recognized, the breeders must be able to demonstrate several generations of pups that resemble one phenotype and are genetically similar to their parents. This means that they can be distinguished based on their appearance and genetics. For example, breeders who choose to create a new breed must be prepared to spend upwards of 50 years of continuous breeding to create a gene pool that will produce entire litters consistent in type and genetics.

To accomplish this, a written breed standard is needed that describes the traits that the judges and breeders will use to advance not only temperament and type but many of the other desirable traits. Each standard includes the major and minor faults and the disqualifications. For these reasons, those who attempt to create a new breed must craft a breed standard that fits the traits they intend to establish. Oftentimes these breeders will overlook the requirements and expectations that will be placed upon their new breed for its qualities, function and purpose.Creating A New BreedThe path to recognition should not be taken lightly. It requires a large population of dogs with pedigrees that can produce consistent and predictable type. To accomplish this, a written breed standard is needed that describes the traits that the judges and breeders will use to advance not only temperament and type but many of the other desirable traits. Each standard includes the major and minor faults and the disqualifications. For these reasons, those who attempt to create a new breed must craft a breed standard that fits the traits they intend to establish.

In order for a breed, new or old, to be recognized, the breeders must be able to demonstrate several generations of pups that resemble one phenotype and are genetically similar to their parents. This means that they can be distinguished based on their appearance and genetics. For example, breeders who choose to create a new breed must be prepared to spend upwards of 50 years of continuous breeding to create a gene pool that will produce entire litters consistent in type and genetics.Much Ado About PooThe process of creating a new breed and achieving AKC recognition is long and involved, requiring many years and many generations. A “breed” is a genetically similar strain of dogs that resemble each other in appearance and temperament. Bred together, two dogs of the same breed will produce puppies that are also similar in appearance to the parents and will develop in a predictable fashion.

The first step in creating a new breed involves a definite vision of what the breed will look like and the writing of a breed standard to describe it. For example, what characteristics must a Yorkie-Poo have in order for it to be considered a Yorkie-Poo? What is a Cocker-Chon or a Peke-A-Pom supposed to look and act like? To date, no breeders of these “new” breeds have even taken that first step.(see note) There has been no agreement among breeders even as to what a Yorkie-Poo is supposed to be other than a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle. After years of mixing these breeds, no two Yorkie-Poos look anything alike; neither are any Peke-A-Poms or Cocker-Chons similar to one another. There has not been any serious effort at all to create a distinct breed that the AKC would recognize.Creating new dog breeds?It's not necessarily difficult; it just takes time, usually about 20 generations once the desired type is created.

The most recently recognized breed in the AKC is, I believe, the Leonberger, but the breed was created in the mid-1800s.Comment:  Now we have a good idea what it would take to create a new breed, including the Native American Indian dog. A written breed standard, a large starting population of dogs with pedigrees, 50 years of continuous breeding, 20 generations of dogs, resulting pups that resemble one phenotype and are genetically similar to their parents.

Now let's see the evidence that the NAID fits this standard. That NAID breeders have been working to create this breed since the Eisenhower era. Let's hope these dogs aren't just a couple of generations of wolves, huskies, Malamutes, Chinooks, and German shepherds mixed together. Because that isn't close to being a real dog breed.

For more on the subject, see:

"Indian dog" disturbs Indians
A history of Indian dogs
Indian dog steals baby

P.S. None of this information comes directly from the AKC, so spare us any talk of how the AKC is a business that's picking on poor NAID breeders.

Below:  "I'm not half wolf and half husky or Malamute. Really!"