Dogs in Mesoamerica: A Cultural and Historical Perspective

Dogs have been an integral part of Mesoamerican culture for thousands of years.

The earliest evidence of dog domestication in Mesoamerica dates back to around 9,000 years ago.

Dogs were highly valued by the ancient Mesoamericans, who considered them to be a symbol of status and wealth.

The Aztecs and Mayans often kept dogs as companions and hunting partners, and they were also used for ceremonial purposes.

Dogs were often mummified and buried with their owners to ensure a safe passage into the afterlife.

The Maya civilization had a deep appreciation for dogs, which played important roles in their literature and art. In the Popol Vuh, a creation story, dogs were made out of wood and destroyed the emotionless humans created by the gods.

Dogs were not just pets, but also symbols of renewal and human life. According to the Popol Vuh, the Hero Twins sacrificed a dog that belonged to the Lords of the Underworld, brought it back to life, and impressed the Lords so much that they asked the twins to sacrifice and resurrect them.

In Maya art, dogs are often depicted in various roles, such as guiding their owners to the Underworld. A painted vase, K5534, shows a possible funeral procession with a dog standing below the head noble's palanquin.

Dogs were associated with death and had the job of leading people into the Underworld. They also represented fire and were protectors of the hearth, two essential components of Maya life.

In addition to paintings, Maya artists created clay figurines to resemble dogs, as seen in K8235. These figurines likely represented the importance of dogs in Maya society.

In Mesoamerica, dogs were highly valued and played a significant role in the culture. They were considered mankind's best friend and were often depicted in art and folklore.

The Maya had nine words for "dog" in their lexicon, but not all of them corresponded to separate breeds. Dogs were bred locally in pens and fed maize, and were sold at market.

Dogs in Mesoamerica were not just pets, but also served as guardians, companions, and even gods. The Xoloitzcuintli, the Itzcuintli, and the Tlalchichi (also known as the Colima dog) are the only three dog breeds known to have existed in ancient Mesoamerica.

The Xoloitzcuintli was a popular breed, but it's worth noting that not all Xoloitzcuintli are hairless - the hairless variety has become more popular, making the furry counterparts less well-known.

Here are some dog breeds that originated from Indigenous Americans:

These breeds were highly valued in Mesoamerican cultures and were often associated with important roles, such as serving as companions and guides. The dog deity Xólotl was venerated as the god of fire and thunder, and was also the brother of Quetzalcóatl, the feathered serpent deity.

The Maya also believed that dogs were servants of the gods and effective at guiding, comforting, and appeasing the souls of the dead. They thought that dogs could locate the souls of those who had died but couldn't pass on without proper burial, such as people who drowned or were killed while hunting alone.

In the Maya's view, these souls would wander the earth until a spirit dog found them and led them to the afterlife, allowing them to rest. The Maya, like the Aztecs and Tarascans, believed that improper burial was a serious matter and that the ghost of someone who hadn't received proper rites would haunt the living.

The Maya's underworld, Xibalba, was a place of darkness and danger, similar to the Aztec underworld, Mictlan.

The Olmecs were the oldest civilization in the western hemisphere, living in the lowlands along the Gulf of Mexico from around 1400-400 BCE. They're a pretty fascinating bunch.

The Olmecs are credited with inventing the first written language of Mesoamerica, which would go on to influence later civilizations like the Aztecs and Maya. Their art and architecture were also incredibly distinctive.

The sacred animal of the Olmecs was the jaguar, which was believed to be spiritually related to the dog. This might seem strange to us today, but it highlights the complex relationships between animals and humans in ancient Mesoamerica.

Dogs played a significant role in Olmec society, serving as both a food source and a divine animal, associated with the gods. This dual role is pretty unique and shows just how deeply ingrained dogs were in Olmec culture.

In 2010, a tomb of the Zoque peoples was discovered in Chiapa de Corzo, which contained jade collars that date back to between 700-500 BCE. These collars are thought to be some of the oldest pyramid tomb finds in the region.

The discovery of these jade collars highlights the importance of pyramids in Olmec society, which were often used as temples rather than tombs.

The Aztecs and the Tarascan civilization were traditional enemies, but they shared a common bond with dogs. They kept dogs for the same reasons and regarded them in much the same way.

Dogs were associated with Xolotl, the god of lightning, sunset, and death, in Aztec belief. Xolotl was thought to be the creator of the breed known today as the Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican Hairless.

The Aztecs and Tarascans believed that dogs were servants of the gods, and they were especially effective at guiding, comforting, and appeasing the souls of the dead. Improper burial was a serious matter in Mesoamerica, and the Aztecs and Tarascans believed that dogs could help locate the souls of those who had died but could not pass on.

The Xoloitzcuintli was already ancient at the time of Columbus' arrival in the New World, dating back at least 3,500 years. They were primarily bred for food.

Dogs were thought to be expert in locating the souls of those who had died but could not pass on without proper burial.

In Aztec art, dogs played a significant role, often depicted as symbols rather than realistic representations. They were frequently buried with the dead to help guide the soul.

Dog figures, like the Colima Dog ceramics, were discovered in over 75% of the burials of the Pre-classic Period. These vessels were often rounded, suggesting fat and plentitude.

The spirits of these robust dogs would have nourished the soul of a deceased human as it traveled through Mictlan toward paradise.

Dogs in Mesoamerica had a significant presence in the region, with the Maya people having nine words for "dog" in their lexicon. This indicates the importance of dogs in their culture.

The Maya people bred dogs locally in pens, feeding them maize, and selling them at market. This suggests that dogs were a valuable commodity in Mesoamerican society.

One type of dog recognized by the Maya was the hairless xoloitzcuintli.

Dogs require a balanced diet to stay healthy, and historically, they've been known to eat maize, just like their ancestors. In fact, the Yucatec Maya fed their dogs six to eight tortillas daily, which is a significant amount of maize.

Maize was a staple in the diet of dogs, and it's not just a myth - there's no evidence to suggest that dogs ever had a specialized diet. It's a good reminder that dogs are adaptable and can thrive on a variety of foods, as long as they're nutritious.

The Maya people have a rich history with dogs, and it's fascinating to learn about their unique breeds. They recognized at least nine different words for "dog" in their language, but not all of these correspond to separate breeds.

In Mesoamerican society, dogs were bred locally in pens and fed maize, which is a type of corn. This was documented by Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century.

The Maya also recognized a hairless breed called the xoloitzcuintli, which is an important part of their cultural heritage.

A different take: Dog Breeds Watch Dogs