Most dog breeds originated in other countries and migrated to the United States with immigrants. The most popular dog in the United States is the Labrador Retriever, a breed that hails north of our border in Canada. However, we do have our own “Made in America” breeds. Here are just a few of the dog breeds that hail from the U.S.
Redbone Coonhound – Billy Coleman's two dogs in the classic tale “Where the Red Fern Grows” were Redbone Coonhounds. The Redbone is a scenthound, and his job is to tree raccoons and mountain lions. In the late 1700s, immigrants from Scotland brought their red foxhounds with them when they came to America. Some of the more serious breeders of the time set out to create a red hound with a “hotter” nose than the coonhounds they had been using. The Redbone hails from Tennessee and Georgia. AKC officially recognized the Redbone Coonhound in 2009.
Boston Terrier – In the early days, the Boston Terrier was a cross of the now extinct English White Terrier and the English Bulldog. The breed has its origins in Boston, Massachusetts. Sometime around 1865, coachmen who worked for wealthy Bostonians started to interbreed dogs owned by their employers. A dog named Hooper's Judge was bred to a smaller female and a male pup from her litter was bred to a smaller female. Finally, one of her pups was bred with French Bulldogs, creating the foundation for Boston Terriers. These little dogs were bred to be companion dogs. AKC officially recognized the Boston Terrier in 1893.
