Hawaiian Poi Dog

Hawaii ( USA)

36 cm

11-16 kg

The Hawaiian Poi Dog is an extinct breed of dog from Hawaii (USA).

Origin and History

In the Polynesian colonization of Hawaii about 1000 years ago, the immigrants brought with them their dogs, which were under the care of the women. The dogs served both as a food source and as a good luck charm: When a child is born it got a puppy given. The child died before the dog, the dog was killed and buried. The dog died first, a necklace made ​​from the teeth, which should protect the child further. The dogs were fed exclusively vegetarian and fattened on poi, a paste of fried Taro.

Even James Cook described in one of his travel books in 1779: " The Poi Dogs rarely bark, occur in many colors and are held together with the pigs ( which also play the double role: playmate and meat supplier) ". The writer Elenor Dewire reported that it often happened that a dog in the morning was a playmate yet, but the evening was slaughtered and eaten.

Beginning of the 19th century it came to mixing with other dogs, pure-bred specimens, there were hardly any. It attempts to reconstruct the breed in the Honolulu Zoo, was the attempt was discontinued after 12 years.

The dogs are described as lethargic and not very intelligent. Meanwhile, the name Poi dog in Hawaii is more suitable for mixed-breed dogs as a breed. However, there are also authors who assume that Poi dogs were never a race, but by their attitude (mast with Poi ) and use were identified: "The term " poi dog, "according to Kinney and Pukui, did not mean any special breed of dog, but a dog fattened for chiefs and favorites with poi to Improve the taste. "