About Potcakes

 

History
A Potcake dog is the name of a mixed-breed island dog from the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos. While not considered an official breed by the American Kennel Club, the Royal Bahamian Potcake is a recognized breed in The Bahamas. 

 

Potcakes are a result of the dogs the Arawak Indians brought with them to the Bahamas from Central or South America, as well as the dogs brought over by Europeans to protect supplies from rodents on ships that arrived in Eleuthera, New Providence, and the Abaco Islands.  Many other dogs have since been brought to the islands, so Potcakes are an interbreed mixture. 

 

Why “Potcake”?
The term "Potcake" is a Bahamian term for the congealed rice that is left in the bottom of a pot of Bahamian Peas and Rice when it is cooked. The clump of rice (potcake) was fed to the local dogs, and this led to the dogs being known as “Potcakes.” 

 

Appearance
Although appearance varies, most Potcakes are described as a "shepherd-mix”.  Potcakes typically have cocked ears, long terrier-shaped faces, a smooth coat without undercoat (less commonly, a "shaggy" or rough coat), and hound-like rib cage. The "typical" Potcake is brown, but can have white, black, and mixed coats. On average, adult Potcakes are about 24” high at the shoulder and weigh 45-55 pounds.