Gerald McCormack, CINHT
What did Polynesian Dogs look like?
Polynesian Dog located at TePapa Museum, Wellington, New Zealand – Te Papa
After Europeans arrived in Polynesia their dogs interbred with and rapidly replaced the docile Polynesian Dogs. The only preserved specimen is of a hunting dog collected in 1876 from southern South Island NZ. White was the favourite colour of NZ Māori dogs and the longer hair was used to make esteemed cloaks or kahu.
Tropical Polynesian Dogs were described as smaller than a large spaniel with a very long back, bowed forelegs, broad head, pointed snout, upright ears and small eyes. They had short to long white, brown or black hair. They were sluggish, yelping rather than barking.
Tuamotu dogs were distinctive in having very long white hair, 10-15cm. Tahitian warriors arrived by canoe to trade bark-cloth for the esteemed hair to decorate their breast-plates. As a food, dogs were preferred over hogs. The dogs were mainly vegetarian, commonly eating Taro and Breadfruit, with some fish. Continue reading →
