What is a Potcake? (I'm so glad you asked!)
"Potcake" is the Bahamian term for the thick, leftover food that remains in the bottom of a pot of peas 'n rice after several reheatings. Traditionally, Bahamians fed potcake to the outdoor, indigenous dogs that freely populated the Bahamas. Hence the dogs have come to be known as Potcakes. They are also referred to as the "Island Dogs."
Some believe the original Potcakes came to the Bahamas with the Arawak Indians from Central or South America. If so, Potcakes are as close to nature's perfect genotype dog as possible. More recently, in the days of Tall Ships, The Bahamas played a major role in maritime commerce. Early terrier breeds, carried aboard ship to keep provisions safe from rats and mice, probably ended up as shore dogs in places such as Eleuthera, New Providence and Abaco. Add to this genetic soup the distinctive (and still existent) Carolina dog, who came -- primarily to Abaco -- with Loyalist Tories who settled during the Revolutionary War, and you have the basic ingredients of a modern-day Potcake.
They are a private, non-profit charitable organization governed by an active and energetic Board of Directors. They receive no financial support from Government.
For a U.S. tax-deductible donation, you can make payment through the Paypal link on their Petfinder site, or mail a check to:
The Kohn Foundation
566 Meadow Vista Drive
Evergreen, CO 80439
Potcakes are make wonderful companions, they are extremely loyal, highly intelligent and relatively easy to housebreak. The average Potcake grows to 46 to 60 lbs. You can adopt your own “Potcake” or simply make a donation to help them by going to www.hs-gb.org.
The Humane Society of Grand Bahama was founded in 1968 to provide safe harbour for the island’s homeless and abused animals. They are the only animal welfare organization on the island, which encompasses 530 square miles and has the Bahamas’ second largest urban area (Freeport). The island’s human population is over 50,000.
Although officially considered mixed breed dogs, the Royal Bahamian Potcake is now a recognized breed in The Bahamas. They have distinct characteristics of size and temperament. This is because, until very recently, all island dogs shared the same isolated gene pool. This makes the Potcake an extremely unique species of canine.
Depending on what genes are available on any Bahamian island, Potcakes strongly resemble each other. Some islands’ Potcakes look more like the typical "pariah dog" found in locales such as India and North Africa. Elsewhere, their lines hint at hound, mastiff, spaniel, terrier or retriever ancestors.
Lynda, Faye, Pepper, Casey & Caya, all rescued Potcakes
Wild Potcakes litter the beachs of the Bahama Island
More and more Potcakes are now being rescued.