A little-known lineage of dogs, valued for their thick fur spun into blankets by Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, has been unveiled through a genetic study published in Science. The research, centered on “Mutton,” one of the last surviving Coast Salish woolly dogs, highlights the selective breeding efforts by Indigenous communities for thousands of years. The lineage, with its woolly coats resembling those of sheep, held cultural significance, serving ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
Mutton’s pelt, sent to the Smithsonian Institution in 1859, became the focal point of the study, which was complemented by insights from Coast Salish tribal co-authors. Interviews revealed the dogs’ esteemed status within Indigenous societies, treated as family members, and their emblem adorning cherished items. The wool from these dogs was utilized by Coast Salish weavers to craft blankets and baskets.
Lead author Audrey Lin, a molecular biologist at the American Museum of Natural History, expressed curiosity about the extinction of pre-colonial indigenous dogs after European arrival. Genetic analysis suggests woolly dogs diverged from other lines around 5,000 years ago, with signs of careful reproduction maintenance and inbreeding depression. Mutton’s genetics indicated 85% pre-colonial heritage, emphasizing Indigenous efforts to preserve the lineage’s purity.
Examining Mutton’s genome identified 28 genes linked to hair growth and follicle regeneration, with similarities to woolly mammoths and humans with rare abnormalities. Beyond genetics, the study incorporated cultural context provided by Coast Salish Elders, revealing a history of colonization, genocide, and assimilation. The dogs, raised by high-ranking women, faced challenges during European colonization, including the devastation wrought by smallpox.
The study challenges previous notions that Indigenous communities lost interest in their dogs with the advent of manufactured textiles. Instead, it highlights the adverse impact of colonization on the Coast Salish people, eradicating aspects of their traditional culture, ceremonies, and history. The woolly dog lineage, once integral to Indigenous life, succumbed to the harsh realities of history, leaving a poignant tale of cultural loss.
