Antillean dogs are the true "dog of the Americas"! Early colonists of the New World, Spanish pirates, peaceful native Arawaks, sugar cane plantations and African slavery all had a role in the development of this handsome, highly intelligent breed.
The Antillean dog is a descendant of three main types. Spanish hunting dogs were carried across the sea by the "buccaneers" (les boucaniers) of the Spanish Main. The blameless and soon-eradicated Arawaks had their own indigenous Caribbean dogs, and the cultivation of sugar cane brought African slavery, and many African plant and animal species including Basenji-like dogs. These three main types mingled all over the Caribbean and the Americas, and European colonists selected those dogs who were healthiest and most useful. They required multitasking - herding, guarding, companionship.
Thus came about the Antillean breed - truly the dogs of the Americas, for like Americans, they are adaptive and hardy due to their diverse roots. These heretofore underappreciated dogs are now achieving the place of prominence they so richly deserve. The dogs of our breeding line are most authentic - each is native to Hispaniola and imported through US. Customs. Now Grey's Antilleans is proud to promote this fine breed.
Because living conditions have been difficult and there has often been little veterinary care available in the Antillean dog's native home since the formative years of this breed, Antilleans over the centuries have undergone strong natural selection for hardiness and intelligence. They are seldom sick, and do not exhibit the hereditary weaknesses of other breeds - no Franconi syndrome, no hip dysplasia, none of the expensive conditions long inbreeding can produce. The Antillean dog has flourished with relatively little help as a freely breeding population.
Grey's Antilleans foundation breeding stock is all imported from Hispaniola, and currently living in Massachusetts. Our first litter was born in October 2009, and one puppy, Grey's Ti-Fritz Little Joy of Pascommuck, as reserved for future breeding. In the meanwhile, our AKC Foundation Stock applications are pending. We keep our own pedigree records and will issue breed certificates to puppy buyers when we have puppies available. We intend to increase the genetic diversity of our stock by importing dogs from Jamaica in 2011.
