 A rez dog atCanyon de Chelly | |
| Othername | Rez |
|---|---|
| Species | Dog |
Rez dog (short forreservation dog) is usually a term foroutdoor, stray, and feral dogs living onNative reservations in the United States andIndian reserves in Canada.[1] The term has taken on manyconnotations, and has to some extent become an emblem of and metaphor for reservations/reserves, life on them, and indigenous North Americans in general. For example, a "rez dog" may refer to a resident of indigenous lands.[2]
The distinction between a rez dog and dogs in general is often seen as emblematic of the difference betweenindigenous andmajority culture ways of life.[3] Untended dogs roaming indigenous lands cause problems that the communities must deal with.[4][5] The dogs are generally thought of as mixed-breed and unsupervised.[6]
A clothing company, "Rez Dog Clothing", has adopted the persona of reservation dogs.[7][8]
The narrator of two chapters ofAntelope Woman, by novelistLouise Erdrich, is described as being partOjibwe reservation dog, partLakota dog, and partcoyote.[9]
