“Just a mutt”
Why not know what dog you have?
The phrase “just a mutt” is growing into a more positive statement than an ashamed or negative one, and I think a lot of that is thanks to the “adopt don’t shop“ movement. And look, I don’t agree with it — “adopt and shop responsibly” is what the term should be. But regardless of my opinion on the matter, rescued mutts are becoming more and more loveable and marketable, which is obviously a good thing. But like all good things, there’s another side to it.
No mutt is “just a mutt”. The makeup of canine DNA has a huge impact on behavior, temperament, structure, etc., and breed types should be paid attention to. This whole “just a mutt” statement really hadn’t bothered me, though, until I heard it directed towards a primitive, landrace breed.
A Cunucu pup; credits to Cunucu Dog Rescue on Facebook
Without giving away anything personal, I dogsat/walked for an Arubian Cunucu over a year ago, and that dog was the first main spark in my interest into these ancient breeds. For those unaware of landrace breeds, they are dogs specific to one area that are all of the same or very close structure and temperament, and typically live outside of human society and thus develop without intervention. Village dogs are often put in this category. Another Caribbean breed that fits this is the Potcake in Jamaica. These island dogs are made up of both pre-colonial Mesoamerican and Indigenous breeds, and the Spanish dogs and hounds that came after. Isolated on an island, they have become more refined over time and continue to live as village dogs — evolving without human intervention.
Why the hell is this so important? Why am I writing about this?
Potcake puppy from Potcake Place K9 Rescue — I believe Miss Tobie is still up for adoption
Because these landrace and Indigenous breeds will likely never be “recognized” by a major kennel club! Because there is no way to keep a village dog in village-dog-type with humans intervening! Because these dogs are possibly the closest we have to the original, companion-wolves our earliest ancestors lived beside!
I introduced the Arubian Cunucu because the owner, as well as many other Cunucu owners in my area (there’s an Aruban rescue with contacts near me), seem to have taken a great interest in the term “just a mutt”… and they aren’t! And that’s a good thing!
What I dislike here is rescues making “just a mutt” more popular. These ancient breeds have served purposes for the Indigenous peoples in Central America and the Caribbean (who were not wiped out by Columbus, though his genocide was an attempt to do so). To label them as “just“ anything bothers me, and I think should bother the owners of these dogs, too. Have pride in the “mutt“ walking around your home, but call him what he is: a highly important part of dog and human history!
