Need info on American Indian dogs

[karattop]

Hi! I'm posting this for my sister: she is highly allergic to dogs, but wants to get one. She's considering a Native American Indian Dog (NAID), because they supposedly do not shed and are not allergenic. She met with a breeder but was less than satisfied with the lack of knowledge this breeder had about the dogs, so she asked me to post some questions here. Do any of you know about this breed and have any info to share? Are they good with children? Do they shed? Are they really non-allergenic? How smart are they? Are they easily trained? I realize that I'm asking for generalizations, that each dog varies... any advice you can offer is appreciated.

[Glacier]

This is just my opinion, but I believe the American Indian dog is simply a mutt! The vast majority of them look like husky or malamute mixes to me. I think the breeders are trying to capitalize on people's desire to own a purebred. Any good breeder should be able an answer any question a buyer had about his dogs, their history and the specific pedigree he is breeding.

The pages I've looked at all show husky type dogs and state contradictory things--like they don't shed, but their undercoat blows yearly and can be woven to yarn. Well, my huskies undercoat sheds at least once a year and I have winter clothing made out of it. It's is most definately not hypo-allergenic.

Your sister could probably find a mutt that meets her needs much cheaper at a shelter or a rescue. Or she could be like me and pop a Reactine pill every morning. I'm allergic to dogs too and currently have 20!

[lv4dogs]

I completely agree w/ Glacier. from everything I have found they are like a husky mix.

Glacier lives up north (cold) and her dogs are *mostly* outside dogs I have had many a husky mixes & I live in NY where the weather is constantly changing, so they shed almost year round but 'blow' their coats twice a year ussually. They are NOT hy[o-allergenic.

[aseretnwad]

I have horrible allergies to dogs too.
I found a breed that sheds very little, and I'm not allergic to!
GREYHOUND!!!!
Go to a meet and greet and pet the dogs, try to find one where other animals are not around (petsmart etc)
I rubbed my arms on them, and pet them. no reaction.
Once you have your own, you can control the allergins by baths after interactions with other dogs. Good luck.
Teresa
PS I live allergy free with 2 hounds

[wolfie]

They are very pretty, but I agree, they aren't really a breed, they are husky mixes (kind of like alaskan huskies).

And since huskies shed a TON they probably do too.

Poodles, some terriers, ect (dogs with hair, not fur) shed very little. Our Shih Tzu mix doesn't shed, and my cousins, who are allergic to dogs, aren't allergic to her. My advice would be to go to the pound, and spend time with each dog to see if your sister has a reaction to him.

Good luck!!!

[jcsperson]

I agree with aseretnwad, if you are looking for a dog with a lower likelihood of allergies, check out a greyhound. They have very little oil in their coats and shed little.

[cyber-sibes]

Hi - I was looking through old forums and found your question - It's been a couple months - has your sister found a dog yet?
I saw American Indian Dogs on a site of rare dogs - they do look like the artic breeds. And the puppies were incredibly expensive! Don't know anything else about them.
(Just to confirm what's already said, huskies shed shed shed!)