The Pet Pages - Kim Aranha
Potcake or thoroughbreed
By Kim Aranha
Jul 9, 2007 - 10:55:58 AM

Potcakes

Over the years, on occasions, most of us have been faced with the dilemma, provided we have decided that we want a dog, as to what kind of dog to bring into the family. Our children sit pouring over the “Wonderful World of Dogs” or similar publications exclaiming in rapt excitement, “That’s the dog I want Mummy”. You look over their shoulder and see, in dismay, that the animal in question is perhaps a 100 pound plus dog and you live in a two bedroom apartment! It is very difficult to choose what kind of dog you want. Most important is to make quite sure that you do not allow emotions to run away from you and choose the dog of your dreams when that particular animal is totally inappropriate for your lifestyle.

In this article I am going to assume that you have already decided that there is room in your life for a waggy tail and a wet nose. I am also going to assume that you have the time, desire, and dedication required to take care of this pet in an appropriate manner, and, that, you either have a fenced in yard, or are prepared to take your new family member for regular walks. There is no place in a dog’s life to just open the door of your house and let your dog roam the neighborhood for a walk. There are two reasons why this is totally inappropriate behaviour; the first reason is that your dog could get hurt, run over by a car or attacked by another dog, or kidnapped. The other reason is that your dog could be a nuisance to your neighbours, chasing cars, chasing kids, biting, digging up their gardens, barking or just hanging around where they are not welcome, and not invited.

So, we have now decided that you can, should and want to have a dog. What kind of dog, is a major decision. Here in the Bahamas we are very restricted in choice. Unlike America, the U.K. and other countries there is not an unlimited supply of breeders and litters to choose from. If you have decided on a certain breed you may well have to get it from a breeder outside the country. If you are bringing in a dog from the U.S. you cannot get an import permit until the puppy is six months old. I find that this takes away a lot of the fun of having a puppy. By the time dogs are six months old they have grown out of that adorable cuddly, sleeping on your lap stage, though, of course, they are still wonderful at six months. I personally feel that if you are getting a PUPPY then you may as well have all the phases of growing up, at least, as far as I am concerned. It is my understanding that if you bring a dog in from the U.K. the six month restriction does not apply as they do not have rabies in England. The rules vary from import country to import country, so I suggest that you check with the Ministry of Agriculture before making any decisions.

Now, so far I have spoken about what breed dog you may want to have and I have intentionally left the best for last. Here in the Bahamas we are blessed with a very special type of dog, the Potcake. These marvelous, feisty, resilient and loyal dogs roam the country at will, many of them wishing for no more than a good home, dry bed and a full belly. So many Potcakes are homeless, “bush dogs”, foraging for food and love. If you allow one of these “true, true Bahamians” into your life you will come to know the full meaning of love and loyalty, mixed with a dollop of excellent “guard dogging” skills!

I find that often with the Potcake, it is not a case of you choosing them but rather of you being chosen by them. A small slip of a puppy will turn up at your doorstep with a sad and dirty face, take one look at you and wags it’s grubby forlorn tail and you are totally smitten and under the spell of this enchanting little character for the rest of his or her life.

Cross-breed street

There is an official description of the “real” potcake, short fur, ears that go up and then flop down, long whippy tail, ect…However I think that most of us consider ALL Bahamian “street dogs” to be Potcakes even if they would not qualify for the Potcake class in a dog show. These Potcake standards were set down when there was a move to have them recognized as an actual breed. This endeavor was not successful, though, heavens knows why, because there are so many dogs that fit the description that you would think that they would be eligible for a breed of their own. A large amount of the “street dogs” are cross-breeds, in other words, breed dogs who were allowed to roam have mated with a potcake and, bingo! You have a crossbreed! These crossbreeds tend to have the same endearing and noble qualities that their brothers the Potcake have, and they too make excellent pets.

One of the exciting things about owning a Potcake / Street dog is that you have been able to save some poor dog who may not have had much of a chance if not for your kindness. There is a great deal of animal abuse in this country, intentional and unintentional, and the Potcake bears the lion’s share of it. I get so tired of hearing people referring to a Potcake and comparing it to a “real dog” i.e. a breed dog. The ignorance of that statement makes my blood boil. They are indeed ALL “real” dogs, in many ways, the Potcake is more real than any other.

I have owned a long string of Potcakes / Street dogs, all saved from the street. I have owned three breed dogs. Of my three breed dogs, one lived to be eight years old and died of Lymphoma (cancer), one died at 4 years of malignant Histiocytosis (cancer) and another died at 5 years old of malignant Histiocytosis (cancer). We now own little Buddy, a 13 week old Labrador, who will, God willing, live a long and healthy life. However, over the years, I have had countless Potcakes, who have all lived well into their teen years, and have had healthy, trouble free and productive lives. They are more resilient to disease and other health issues, they are adapted to our climate. They are great guard dogs, are loyal and make wonderful friends. You may wonder why we have a breed dog at all, well, we met Buddy and fell in love, he makes a wonderful “baby brother” to our three Potcakes!

One draw back to adopting a Potcake puppy is that you don’t really know what you are going to end up with until they are adults. We adopted Spats (12 years ago) he was the tiniest little black puppy with white feet, he grew into a 85 pound, sandy coloured dog, who, the Vet. Thinks might be part Irish Wolf Hound! Thank goodness we have a large garden. Little Compass (found in front of Compass Point), God rest his “doggy soul”, lived to be 17 years old! And so I could go on! Each adoption had been enriched with this element of surprise and anticipation whilst we awaited to see what our special pet was going to grow into!

Now days, regrettably, since so many Pit Bulls have been allowed to be imported and allowed to roam uncontrolled (that’s another article!) we are seeing more and more “Pitcakes” (crossed Pit Bulls with Potcakes). These dogs are not always appropriate for everyone’s household and you should consult your vet, if you have any concerns.

This is not to say that you should NEVER own a breed dog, but, I would like you to consider the advantages of owning a Potcake, and the lovely warm feeling of giving a homeless dog and good and loving home for the entirety of their lives. I will be writing an article in the not too distant future on the various organizations and people in our country who can help you to adopt a needy puppy.

Potcakes

What ever kind of dog you may choose to join your family, remember that owning a dog is a life long commitment, it is no fair to bring a puppy into you home and then change your mind and get rid of it after it has bonded with you and given you it’s unconditional love. A puppy / dog is forever a friend and should always be treated with respect and loving kindness.

About the author: Kim Aranha grew up in the Berry Islands with her first dog, a beloved potcake named “Friendly” (who was anything but!).  First educated at home, and then in boarding school in Switzerland, Kim moved to Rome, Italy in 1974 to pursue a career in the dramatic arts and ended up working as an interpreter.  She moved back to The Bahamas in 1980, and now lives in Nassau with her husband Paul, and their two teenaged sons.  Kim has 3 dogs (soon to be 4), 5 fish (1 Beta, 4 Goldfish), 10 turtles (6 babies, 4 adolescents), 1 Asian box turtle and 4 Budgerigars. Her idea of relaxing is being home to take care of all her pets. Kim is a member of the board of the Bahamas Humane Society. Kim can be contacted at kimbva@coralwave.com

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