Tahitian Dog

ʻŪrī Mā’ohi
Possible depiction of the Tahitian dog from the first voyage of James Cook, c. 1769–71.[A]
Other namesSouth Sea Dog, Otaheite Dog, Tahitian Dog, Society Islands Dog,[2] Poe Dog[3]
OriginTahiti, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
Breed statusExtinct
Dog (domestic dog)

The Tahitian Dog (Tahitian: ʻŪrī Mā’ohi, literally translated as 'native dog'[B]) is an extinct breed of dog from Tahiti and the Society Islands. Similar to other strains of Polynesian dogs, it was introduced to the Society Islands and Tahiti by the ancestors of the Tahitian (Mā’ohi) people during their migrations to Polynesia.

They were an essential part of traditional Tahitian society; their meat was included in Tahitian cuisine and other parts of the dog were used to make tools and ornamental clothing. Dogs were fed a vegetarian diet and served during feasts as a delicacy. European explorers were the first outsiders to observe and record their existence, and they were served to early explorers including Captain James Cook. The Tahitian Dog disappeared as a distinct breed after the introduction of foreign European dogs.

  1. ^ Luomala, Katharine (July 1960). "A History of the Binomial Classification of the Polynesian Native Dog" (PDF). Pacific Science. 14 (13). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press / Pacific Science Association: 201. hdl:10125/8347. OCLC 78130351.
  2. ^ Titcomb & Pukui 1969, p. 47.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Smith1840 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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