Born in the USA - American Dog Breeds

Dogs

There are tons of wonderful dogs from all over the world. But what better day than the 4th of July to celebrate the AMERICAN dog breeds – that is those originating in the United States.

Here are some of our favorite American dog breeds:

The Mutt. The mixed breed dog is the most common "breed" in the United States. Although not formally a breed, the mixed breed dog makes up about 40% of the dogs in the United States while about 60% of dogs are purebred dogs. The loveable mutt can be any combination of breeds and come in just about any shape or size. Click on the link above to learn more about our favorite good old American favorite.

The Boston Terrier. The Boston terrier is one of the few truly American breeds. Developed in Boston, Mass., the Boston terrier has steadily increased in popularity since the late 1800s. 
The Boston terrier was originally developed as a cross between the English bulldog and English terrier and called "round heads" or "bull terriers." Around 1870, one of the progeny of this cross, named "Judge," was imported into Boston. With hard work and strict breeding programs, the Boston as we know it today was developed.

The American Eskimo. The American Eskimo dog is a small to medium Nordic-type dog. A loving family member and companion, the Eskie is a beautiful white dog that, in spite of the name, was bred for the indoors and not as a sled dog. The true history of the American Eskimo dog is not known. By the 19th century small Spitz type dogs were commonly found in communities of German immigrants in the United States, often working as trick-dog acts in traveling circuses. These dogs were considered a member of the Spitz family of dogs, descending from the European spitz, white keeshond, white Pomeranian and the Volpine Italiano (white Italian spitz). No one can agree upon the reason behind the name American Eskimo.

The American Water Spaniel. The American water spaniel is an American made dog developed to retrieve duck in swampy areas. The state dog of Wisconsin, this spaniel was more popular among Midwestern hunters in the 1920s and 1930s and now has a small but loyal following.

The American Staffordshire Terrier. Around the time of the Civil War, dogs were imported from England for the expressed purpose of dogfighting. Some of the imported breeds include the English bulldog, bull terrier, English terrier, Staffordshire terrier and various other terriers. It is from these dogs that the American Staffordshire terrier, affectionately called the "Amstaff" was descended. These are stocky powerful dogs. In fact, World War II posters used the American Staffordshire terrier as a symbol of courage and bravery. The Amstaff of today is a loyal and protective dog that is not routinely aggressive.

The American Cocker Spaniel. The cocker spaniel is a very popular pet, available in two distinct versions, one of which is the American cocker. It is typically known as a companion pet and is a little smaller than the English cocker and have been faithful hunting companions for centuries.

The American Bulldog. Athletic, intimidating, and beautiful describe the American Bulldog's appearance. Happy, protective, and energetic describe this awe-inspiring dog's personality. Bulldogs in the 17th and 18th Century were used in catching livestock, guarding homes, and the "sport" of bull-baiting. Settlers brought the bulldogs to the United States for use as working dogs and in gambling. In 1835, bull-baiting was made illegal in the United Kingdom. Bulldogs in the UK then became more popular as family pets and were bred into today's English Bulldog, while the American Bulldog experienced less change. During World War II, the American Bulldog became less popular and came close to extinction. Two dog enthusiasts, John Johnson and Alan Scott, worked hard to breed the remaining bulldogs and preserve the breed.

The American Foxhound. The American foxhound is a descendant of English hounds brought to the new world in the mid 1600s to trail foxes. The breed was initially developed in Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky. French and Irish hounds were also used to refine the breed and the modern American foxhound was created.