History of Rabies in the Americas: From the Pre-Columbian to the Present, Volume IV

When humans first arrived in the Americas about 20,000 years ago, they brought domestic dogs, the first domesticated animal in the Western Hemisphere, with them. Dog remains are common in New World archaeological sites. Over time, dogs’ capacity for morphological variation from breeding, their trainability, and their cultural and geographical constraints, shaped them to occupy many roles, including hunting, transport, herding, or guarding livestock, producing hair for crafting garments and textiles, being a food source, and companionship. Genetic evidence indicates that most Pre-contact dogs descended from Siberian ancestors rather than North American wolves (Canis lupus). However, some Indigenous societies tamed wild canids such as the coyote (Canis latrans) and a South American fox (Lycalopex spp.). Dogs also played a role in Indigenous American cultural beliefs, including showing social status and being part of origin stories. Some cultures considered their dogs as fellow people and family. Pre-contact dogs declined because of several post-contact factors. European colonists prohibited many Indigenous societies from practicing their cultures, including breeding dogs or hunting with them. The introduction of infectious diseases, European dogs, and other domesticates also may have contributed to the decline of Pre-contact dogs. Few Pre-contact dog lineages survive today, and those that do carry significant genetic contributions from their European counterparts. The Chihuahua and Arctic sled dogs are some of the only lineages that retain their Pre-contact genetic markers.