Island dogs
Good afternoon! I moved back to the States with my adorable rescue dog. I'm tired of hearing "what kind is he?' and answering only "medium white, St. Thomas terrier, coconut retriever, etc." I was wondering if anyone knows the history of the island mix... were there dogs there 200+ years ago, who brought them over, did the introduction of dogs start with plane travel? It has me thinking since traveling with animals down there is so difficult now, when did this all start? BTW, one of the ONLY positive things about being back is how animals are treated, dog parks, welcome at Home Depot, outside patio dining... although Jost van dog is so protective of me he lunges and barks at one out of every 20 people and dogs (what do dogs sense?).
I'd appreciate any history, not willing to spend $200 on DNA testing.
Cathy
It seems, according to this that they were here with the Indians:
Wow! Thanks for the reference, Trade. Does this mean he qualifies as a true Native Virgin Islander? I was hoping they were brought for more than just hunting and protein.
Dear Cathy,
Since your adorable, lovable, sweet, smart, dog is a Native Virgin Islander, I strongly suggest that you move back here PRONTO !
It is not fair to keep the dog out of his native environment. He needs his HOME, and his PALS to play with here.
I have a room ready for you upon your return, and a couple of nice pals for Jost Van Dog !
😎
This lady I know sent two off to Chicago to some folks that were Rhodesian Ridgeback aficionados and I said, really? So that could be a strain, but I am content with them being a mongrel just like anywhere else in the world. My last one I called an Aboriginal Terrier when Bert Bryan wanted to define a native as aboriginal!
Cathy,
Tell every one your baby is a Jack Sparrow Terrier & that the lil pirate stole your heart!
As a Rhodesian Ridgeback lover, I have noticed that many of the dogs I see here bear a small resemblance to by adorable couch potato. I've even seen dogs with the ridge, but not the coloring, size, etc.
I'm on our third ridgeback mutt, a female with no ridge (the last two were males with ridges). As far as I can see, these ridge-mutts definately are abundant in the Princesse area (STX). Anyone else out here with one who came from another area? They are the BEST!
I rescued Sita, my li'l (80lb) baby starving to death on Pelican Cove beach. The litter-sister of hers was found by a co-worker on the same stretch of beach around the same time I got Sita. They were about 4mo. old at the time, abused and starving, but have become lifelong protecters of the family. No house-training needed either! My other 'mutt', Starling, is so mixed up that even SHE doesn't have a clue....but Sita is slowly teaching her not to just pee and run...:D
Many people abandoned their purebred dogs and left the Island after Hurricane Hugo; they bread with the local dogs creating our interesting mix of purebred Cruzan Chow-hound and Coconut Retriever.
The ones we rescue are the best dogs by far; I thing they know you saved them and are devoted for life.
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