AHC/WI: 50 Dog Breeds of America

Have 50 distinct dog breeds arise in the US (one in each state, preferably named after that state too) and give a description about how their development came about and what they originated from (I.e, the original breeds). If someone establishes one breed, you can definitely use it in establishing another new breed for a different state. The POD is 1776.
 
Number One: The Nanticoke River Dog

The Nanticoke River Dog, so named for its origins along the banks of Delaware's Nanticoke River, came about as a mix between the Newfoundland and the Great Pyrenees. The originator of this breed, a southern Delaware landowner named Gregory Smyth, bred the Newfoundland and Great Pyrenees together to have a working dog that could function well both on water and on the land in a variety of roles. The first record of the Nanticoke River Dog came from 1782, with a journal entry of a visitor to Smyth's home, who described a "whit and blacke dogge, with a good-nature and plesant disposison". Nanticoke River Dogs are popular now both with stock handlers, hunters, and families, who love the breed for their kind natures and excellence with children.

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I have no idea if that was what you had in mind. I picked Delaware first because it was the "first state" after all. What do you think?
 
Interesting thread - It would have been nice if there had been more effort to preserve the indigenous dogs of the Americas, so perhaps some ideas in this thread could be based on them. Dogs travelled across the landbridge from Asia along with the Native Americans, but despite a history spanning back many thousands of years, it seems few of them survived into modern times, especially in the United States. A recent study shows that rural dogs in the Andes and Mesoamerica, much like people who live there, still have a lot of indigenous ancestry, but in North America, most stray dogs are descended from ancestors introduced from Eurasia. Indigenous dog DNA north of Mexico is limited to Arctic sled dogs and a few peculiar, isolated populations like the Carolina dogs.
 
Number 2: The Allegheny Mountain Dog


The Allegheny Mountain Dog hails from the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. During the late 18th century, the Allegheny region began to receive large amounts of immigration, mostly from Scotch-Irish and German stock. These people brought various dog breeds with them, which, over time, bred together, creating several new, uniquely American dogs. The only modern surviving and recognized breed from this mountain melting pot is known as the Allegheny Mountain Dog. A rather large dog, the Allegheny was used as a guard dog, as well as a hunting dog, by remote mountain settlers; use of it slowly spread across the Appalachian range. Today, the Allegheny is a favorite breed of large-dog lovers, known for its calm and patient manners.

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Interesting thread - It would have been nice if there had been more effort to preserve the indigenous dogs of the Americas, so perhaps some ideas in this thread could be based on them. Dogs travelled across the landbridge from Asia along with the Native Americans, but despite a history spanning back many thousands of years, it seems few of them survived into modern times, especially in the United States. A recent study shows that rural dogs in the Andes and Mesoamerica, much like people who live there, still have a lot of indigenous ancestry, but in North America, most stray dogs are descended from ancestors introduced from Eurasia. Indigenous dog DNA north of Mexico is limited to Arctic sled dogs and a few peculiar, isolated populations like the Carolina dogs.

I had ideas for the dog in Wyoming, Montana, or the Dakota's being in part Native American. Thanks for the link!

I'm so pleased Delaware of all states got an entry. Amazing work, TheSunKing! :)

Thanks!
 
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Number Three: The South Jersey Shepherd

The South Jersey Shepherd originated among Quaker farming communities that needed a dependeble herding dog. The South Jersey's distinctive yellow color is said to be a sign of ancestry from the sable smooth-coated collies of Scotland, which has been backed up by modern genetic studies. A surprisingly agressive dog (hence the nickname in some circles of "Quaker's Fist"), the South Jersey is extremely smart and protective of its flock or its owners. South Jersey's play into local folktales about the Pine Barrens, and, according to legend, can scare off the Jersey Devil. The South Jersey is still used as a stock dog across the US, and also makes a great dog for active families.

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Number Four: The Georgian Yellow Hound

The Georgian Yellow Hound can find its point of origin along the Atlantic coast, near Savannah in thr late 18th century. A plantation owner named James Granger sought to create the perfect hound... And failed. He did, however, create the Georgian Yellow Hound, which was a decent hound dog but possessed one of the sweetest nature possessed by any dog breed. A Northern visitor to the plantation in the 1820s described the Yellow Hound as "the best friend of a child, the endearing companion of a lady, and the loyal retainer of a master." Reports such as these created a demand for these dogs in the North, and soon Granger and his descendants were shipping Yellow Hounds to Northern markets. The Civil War made them unfashionable, but they rebounded quickly due to their devoted nature. They remain a family favorite to this day, and are the state dog of Georgia.

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Number Five: The Connecticut Whale Dog

The strangely named Connecticut Whale Dog comes from that state in the early 19th century. A certain whaling captain, Rehoboam Hales, had a dog of indrisciminate breed that he took with him on his voyages. Captain Hales became a successful whaler, and he attributed his success to the luck his "pachey dogg" brought him. A superstitious bunch, other whalers sought to get their own "pachey dogg" to bless their voyage, which would breed together and eventually lead to the development of the Connecticut Whale Dog. The last Whale Dog-blessed whaling voyage took place in the 1920s, and since then the dog has been loved by sailors and non-sailors alike for its active and happy nature.

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Mind if I cut in?

Number Six: The [Deseret] Bishop Bulldog

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The Bishop Bulldog has the unusual distinction of being a completely random yet effective measure of species conservation. Hugely popular in Utah and across the South-West of America, the breed actually originated among the many working bulldog breeds of early Nineteenth-Century Britain. Hard-working and with a charmingly calm disposition, Bishop Bulls are consistently ranked by the American Kennel Club as one of the best breeds to own for families with small children.

Brought over by British converts to Mormonism, who in the 1840s and 1850s came over in large numbers to settle the new Mormon promised land around Salt Lake City. Completely by chance, this allowed the breed to survive the steady selective breeding of the Victorian period in Britain which saw the English bulldog become smaller and move from a moderate sized working dog to a small companion type.

The Bishop Bulldog retains its more active, working, side although the vast majority are now pets. Originally called the Deseret Bulldog by outsiders, alluding to the Mormon dream of a separate state, their current breed name also originated as a jibe at the LDS church structure that owners themselves adopted as a marker of status.
 
Yay, more activity! :p

I like the Bishop's Bulldog!

I guess I should claim a state now that there is more interest. I call Wyoming.
 
Number Seven: The Crosshorn Ranch Dog

The Crosshorn Ranch Dog can trace its ancestry to the Cross Horn Ranch near Yellowstone in Wyoming. Named for Josias Cross and Christopher Horn, the ranch saw early problems with predation of their herds from predators and rustlers. They experimented with a variety of breeds and mixes to protect their investment, eventually leading to a large, hairy, smart, and strong dog- the Crosshorn Ranch Dog (or Wyoming Shepherd, in some more prestigous circles). The dog possessed the intelligence, herding mindset, and strength to prove a valuable deterrent for predators and even human rustlers. Mr. Cross and Mr. Horn soon discovered they could make money selling their dogs to other ranchers, and the Crosshorn became a common sight across the West. It is a trial for many families to own a Crosshorn, due to their activity level and size, but those that have the time to invest in the dog and the space to let it roam report that the Crosshorn is a loyal, friendly, and protective dog. The Crosshorn is also a service dog with the US Military and several police forces, which, in recent years, has raised its popularity.

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