Hawaiian Poi Dog

The Hawaiian Poi Dog is an extinct breed of pariah dog from Hawaii which was used as a protector of children and source of food by the native tribes.

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Appearance

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a stocky, short-legged, smooth-coated dog which came in a variety of coat colors. It was usually 14 in. tall at the withers and overweight from being fed a strict diet of poi, a pasty substance made from ground taro root. This vegetarian diet also caused their skulls to flatten and their teeth and jaws to become weak.

Temperament

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a slow, lazy dog that did not bark often. It never reverted to a feral state, and was unsuitable for hunting.

History

Hawaiian Poi Dogs descended from pariah dogs brought by Polynesians to Hawaii over 1,000 years ago. They were used as protectors of children. If the dog died before the child, its teeth were removed and worn as a necklace by the child. If the child died first, the dog was killed and buried with its young master. It was also used as a food source, and was treated like the hogs, which shared the same fate. The dogs were fed poi to fatten them up, which over the years caused them to gradually become slow, dull, inactive dogs, and caused their skulls to become large and flat.

By the early 19th century, other dogs had been brought to the islands and bred with the Poi dog, until there were no pure strains left. Years later, an attempt was made to reconstruct the breed at the Honolulu Zoo. After twelve years of breeding the project was deemed unsuccessful and was discontinued.

Trivia

Hawaiian Poi Dog is also a term used in Hawaii to describe mixed breed dogs.

See also

Pariah Dog
Dog meat

References

The Atlas of Dog Breeds by Bonnie Wilcox and Chris Walkowicz
Poi Dog Information