General Description: (Poi Dog) (Illio)Not much is known about this breed’s appearance because they are extinct. They seem to have had a broad head which sat on a wide neck. Their round bodies were attached to short chubby legs. Short fur covered their round fat bodies and came in almost every color.
Character: The Hawaiian Poi Dog acted like a pig and liked to play with the pigs in their tribe. This breed was playful but too fat and lazy to be able to play many games. Protecting children is what this breed did and was bred for. Barking was not common for this breed, and they were not intelligent.
Size: 13-16 inches
Weight: 25-35 pounds
General Health: This breed was not healthy when alive because it had a poor diet which consisted solely of poi which is ground up taro root. This vegetarian diet weakened their teeth and jaw and changed the shape of their skull. This diet also led to extreme obesity and laziness. Most of these dogs did not reach their full life expectancy because they would be eaten or killed if the child they were protecting died.
History: The Hawaiian Poi Dog probably came to Hawaii with its first Polynesian settlers more than ten centuries ago. The breed was a type of Pariah hound. Unfortunately, a combination of poor diet, crossbreeding with other dogs, and other problems, the Hawaiian Poi Dog has been extinct for a number of years. An attempt to breed the dog in captivity at the Honolulu Zoo failed after 12 years.
Maintenance: Not much is known about this breed but probably little grooming was needed or given to them. Because of their obesity, they could not exercise even though it was needed. This breed had to eat the taro root because their teeth were so weak they could not eat other food.
Ideal Environment: This breed usually lived with families who had children because they would protect them. Lazy and fat, this breed rarely did much besides sleeping and playing with the pigs, but they were playful. A special diet was needed for this breed because of their bad teeth.
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Hawaiian Poi Dog information.