There are over 200 dog breeds in the world that are recognized by AKC. These dogs originated from mostly Great Britain, France, and Germany. But America is also not far behind.
There are numerous native American dogs purely bred, born or developed in the United States of America.
Here, we are discussing the history and evolution of the 20 all-American dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club.
1. American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is also called the Amstaff. The breed originated in the United States in the early 19th century. Bulldogs and Terriers were crossbred to create a dog with the strength and tenacity of a bulldog and the agility and hunting instincts of a terrier.
These dogs were used for various purposes like bull-baiting, ratting, and as farm dogs. Over time, they were selectively bred to create a distinct breed that would excel in dog fighting and as a loyal family companion. American Staffordshire Terrier was recognized by the AKC in 1936.
2. Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Fox Terrier was developed in America in the early 20th century. The breed is a descendant of the Smooth Fox Terrier, which was crossed with various toy breeds like the Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, and Italian Greyhound.
It was originally bred for ratting and hunting small game but gained popularity in circuses during the 1920s and 1930s due to its intelligence and trainability. The Toy Fox Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2003.
3. Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier originated in America in the late 19th century. They were created by crossing the English Bulldog and the White English Terrier. The White English Terrier is already extinct now. They were originally bred for dog fighting but later became a companion dog.
The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1893, making it one of the first American breeds to be recognized. Boston Terriers are known for their friendly and gentle nature, as well as their distinctive tuxedo-like markings.
4. Australian Shepherd
Despite the name suggests, Australian Shepherds did not originate in Australia. They were originally bred first in the United States, particularly in the areas of California and Arizona, during the 19th century. They were recognized by AKC in 1991.
The breed's ancestry can be traced back to various herding breeds brought to the United States by Basque shepherds from the Pyrenees Mountains. These dogs were crossbred with local working dogs and collies to create the foundation for the Australian Shepherd breed.
5. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog breed were developed in the Chesapeake Bay region, specifically in Maryland and Virginia. This pure American dog breed was primarily bred for its skills in retrieving waterfowl. Hunters used them to retrieve ducks and geese from the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
The breed's development involved crossbreeding between local dogs and various other breeds. The exact breeds involved are unclear, but some theories suggest Newfoundland, Irish Water Spaniel, and Curly-Coated Retriever as possible contributors.
6. Plott Hound
The Plott Hound Coonhound originated in the mountains of North Carolina, USA. Its' ancestors were brought to the United States by the Plott family, who were German immigrants.
In the mid-18th century, Johannes Plott and his family settled in the mountains of North Carolina and brought their Hanoverian Schweisshund hunting dogs with them. It was specifically bred for hunting purposes, particularly wild boar and other large game. In 1989, the Plott Hound was designated as the official state dog of North Carolina.
7. American Hairless Terrier
American Hairless Terrier dog breed is a relatively new one as it originated in the 1970s in the United States. It was created by a couple named Edwin and Willie Scott in Louisiana.
A mutation occurred in a Rat Terrier litter to give a hairless puppy. The breed's development was carefully managed to ensure the preservation of the hairless trait. Due to their lack of hair, the AHT is considered hypoallergenic, making them an excellent choice for individuals with allergies. The breed was officially recognized by AKC in 2016.
8. Chinook Dog
Chinook dog is a rare and ancient breed that originated in New Hampshire, United States. The breed was developed in the early 1900s by an explorer named Arthur Walden.
Walden crossed a large male Mastiff-type dog named "Chinook" with a Siberian Husky named "Husky." His goal was to create a powerful sled dog that could withstand the harsh New England winters. Chinook was named after the warm winds that blow off the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
9. American Bully
American Bully originated in the 1980s and 1990s in the USA. It was created by crossing various breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge. The breed was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2013 but it is still not recognized by the AKC.
The breed was developed for dog fighting and guarding, but breeders later shifted their focus towards creating a more family-friendly and companion dog.
10. American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a dog breed that originated in the United States. It was descended from the English Bulldogs brought to America by European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The two main strains of American Bulldogs are named after their respective breeders, Johnson and Scott. The Johnson-type breed is generally larger and more muscular, with a shorter muzzle and a stockier build. On the other hand, the Scott type is leaner, more agile, and has a longer muzzle.
11. Rat Terrier
Rat Terrier originated in the United States in the 19th century. It was created by mixing several terrier breeds like the Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrier. They were originally bred for hunting and killing rats and other small vermin on farms. They used to keep rodent population under control.
Its popularity increased in the early 20th century when they were used in rat-killing competitions, known as "ratting contests." These contests involved measuring the speed and efficiency of the dogs in catching rats. AKC officially recognized the Rat Terrier breed in 2013.
12. Native American Indian dog
The Native American Indian dog breed is believed to have descended from the dogs owned by the indigenous people of North America. They originated thousands of years ago. Their ancestors were brought to the America by the first humans who migrated across the Bering Land Bridge from Asia.
Native American tribes used these dogs for hunting, herding, pulling sleds, and even serving as companions and protectors. With the arrival of European settlers and their dogs, the population of Native American Indian Dogs declined rapidly. By the mid-20th century, they were nearly extinct.
13. American Eskimo
The American Eskimo was brought to America by German immigrants in the early 20th century. It is believed that despite what the name suggests, they actually originated in Germany but developed in the USA as a companion dog.
These spitz-type dogs were originally used as circus performers. They gained popularity as family dog due to their intelligence and friendly nature. They have a thick white coat, which is one of their distinguishing features. American Eskimo dogs are known for their agility and versatility.
14. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog is a unique breed with a rich history and fascinating evolution. The breed originated in Louisiana, United States. The breed's name, Catahoula, is derived from the Catahoula Lake in Louisiana
They were initially bred by Native American tribe Choctaw to assist in hunting and herding livestock. They have evolved from a combination of various breeds, including Native American dogs, Spanish Mastiffs, Greyhounds, and Beaucerons brought by French settlers.
15. Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively new and rare dog breed. It was developed in the 1970s by a woman named Linda S. Spurlin in Wasilla, Alaska. She crossed the Siberian Husky with smaller breeds like the Alaskan Husky, Schipperke, and American Eskimo Dog.
The name "Klee Kai" means "small dog" in the Inuit language. The breed has three size varieties - toy, miniature, and standard. Toy Klee Kais are the smallest, weighing up to 10 pounds. Similarly, Miniature Klee Kais weigh between 10-15 pounds and Standard Klee Kais typically weigh between 10 to 20 pounds.
16. American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a breed of scent hound that originated in the United States. They were descended from English Foxhounds brought to the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Wealthy landowners imported these hounds to pursue foxes during fox hunts.
In the 18th century, the breed was developed through crossbreeding with various other hound breeds, including Irish Foxhounds, French hounds, and American Virginian Hounds. These crosses aimed to enhance the American Foxhound's scenting ability and stamina. AKC recognized it in 1886.
17. American Water Spaniel
The All-American dog breed American Water Spaniel was developed in the Midwest region, particularly in the state of Wisconsin. It was bred in the mid-19th century by crossing Irish Water Spaniels with local water dogs and possibly other spaniel breeds.
They were primarily used for hunting in the marshes and lakes of the Midwest. American Water Spaniels were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1940. During World War II, the breed's population declined significantly as many breeders and owners were focused on the war effort.
18. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute descended from ancient sled dogs used by the native Inuit people of Alaska. It is one of the oldest Arctic sled dog breeds, with a history dating back thousands of years.
The breed gets its name from the Mahlemut Inuit tribe, who inhabited the Kotzebue Sound region of western Alaska. These tribes used the dogs for transportation, hauling heavy sleds, and hunting. The breed gained international recognition during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
19. Black And Tan Coonhound
Black and Tan Coonhound is a native American breed that was developed in the Southern United States. They evolved from English Foxhounds and other European scent hounds brought to America by settlers.
The breed was developed in the late 18th century and early 19th century primarily for hunting purposes, specifically for trailing and treeing raccoons. The AKC recognized this American breed in 1945.
20. Miniature American Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd is also known as Mini Aussie. It was first developed in the late 1960s in California, USA. It is a cross of small-sized Australian Shepherds, which were imported from Australia during the 1950s and 1960s.
The Miniature American Shepherd gained recognition as a breed in its own right in 2011. It was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2015 and is also recognized by other major kennel clubs worldwide.
Petjurni Team
