Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison

Hawaiian Poi Dog is originated from Indonesia but Fox Terrier (Smooth) is originated from United Kingdom. Both Hawaiian Poi Dog and Fox Terrier (Smooth) are having almost same height. Hawaiian Poi Dog may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than Fox Terrier (Smooth). Hawaiian Poi Dog may live 7 years less than Fox Terrier (Smooth). Hawaiian Poi Dog may have less litter size than Fox Terrier (Smooth). Hawaiian Poi Dog requires Low maintenance. But Fox Terrier (Smooth) requires Moderate maintenance

History

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a descendent of the dogs brought to the Islands by the Polynesian. These Polynesian dogs were themselves descendants of the kuri dog of New Zealand. These kuri dogs were originally from Indonesia. The Hawaiian Poi dog is now extinct but at one time was considered the spiritual protector of Hawaiian children and also used as food by hungry Native Hawaiians.

The dog was called poi which was the word for a food staple mad from the root of Taro and used to put weight on the dogs before they were eaten. Meat was not fed to the dogs because it was too scarce. There was no large mammals to hunt and so the breed was never given a standard. The Poi dog seen by European explorers were short legged, pot bellied canines that lived with the hogs in the towns. Because of what they ate, the dogs were not highly intelligent but were stubborn and hard to train. Because the dogs were not suited for much beyond food and a spiritual charm, they became extinct when the traditional religion was no longer practiced and eating dogs was no longer acceptable. The breed pretty much disappeared by the early 20th century. Very few images of the dogs remain except for ancient petroglyphs.

There was an attempt by the Honolulu Zoo in the late 1960’s to redevelop the breed using local dogs to determine a standard. Then the local dogs were bred as close to the standard as possible. In the third generation one dog was born with the traits of a Poi dog. There was not much more success with this and then the Polynesian ship travel between Tahiti and Hawaii was recreated and a dog taken along.

Today’s mixed breed dogs in Hawaii are called Poi dogs but also have the stubbornness, unique appearance and ability to eat anything it is given like the original Poi. The dogs are small, and should not be confused with the original Poi dogs.

fox terrier smooth - historyThe Smooth Fox Terrier is one of two Fox Terrier breeds, the other being the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. Fox Terriers are believed to be one of the oldest terrier breeds and the ancestor of many terriers who came after. The Fox Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and the smooth Fox Terrier as a separate breed 100 years later in 1985. Some clubs still consider the two types of Fox Terriers as the same breed. The standard for smooth Fox Terrier was written in 1876 but not accepted until 1985.

Both breeds of Fox Terriers are thought to originate in the late 1800’s descended from various British Terriers, the beagle, the dachshund and the Fox Hound. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a base coat that is white. The hunters bred them this way, so they would not mistake them for the fox during the hunt. They have also been very successful in prestigious dog shows including Crufts in England and New York Westminster in the United States.

They are not that popular today unless you are hunting and showing them in Confirmation Competitions. However, the Smooth Fox Terrier is significant because of all the terriers that consider it their direct ancestor. This would include the Jack Russel, the Rat Terrier and the Miniature Fox Terrier.

Description

As previously mentioned the Poi dog is somewhat unusual in size and shape due to what they ate. They looked somewhat like the native dogs of Polynesia and New Zealand. They have short legs, long bodies, somewhat obese and a very flat head. He had a short smooth coat, in any color or any pattern. They were however mostly brown and they might or might not have white markings.

fox terrier smooth puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Fox Terrier is distinguished from the Wirehaired and other terriers by his V-shaped head and white based coat. The coat can have tan, black and black and tan marks on the white coat. The Smooth Fox Terrier is sturdy, strong, sleek and symmetrical. The breed has a short back, and proportioned legs. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a flat skull and tapered muzzle. The nose is black, and the eyes are dark. He has v-shaped ears and a docked tail. Docking is no longer legal throughout the United Kingdom.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

The Hawaiian Poi dog was very friendly and good with children

Special talents

The Poi was considered a good luck charm and a spiritual protector of children

Adaptability

Given what they faced in life, the Poi dog was very adaptable, living anywhere on the islands and eating anything it could find.

Learning ability

Due to their poor diet, the Hawaiian Poi dog was seriously lacking in intelligence and learning ability.

Characteristics

fox terrier smooth dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness They shouldn’t be trusted with young children but if raised with older children ok

Special talents

They are good at performing tricks, Search and rescue, narcotics detection, tracking, and disability assistance.

Adaptability

Fox Terrier is adaptable and can live anywhere. He is not a big dog but remember he is very high energy.

Learning ability

They have very good learning ability and are very intelligent but can be stubborn

Health Problems

Probably due to its diet, the Poi dog had several problems to their health. Their poor diet led to a sluggishness both in movement and intelligence. Its development was hampered by a lack of protein. Malnutrition and serious over inbreeding caused a weakness and poor oral hygiene. Due to this lack of teeth and chewing the bones in the dogs heads became flat. The Poi had breathing issues and overall lethargy.

fox terrier smooth puppies - health problemsOne of the major problems for the Smooth Fox Terrier that the Wirehaired does not face is the potential for deafness. This is an issue in dogs that are mostly white in color. Other concerns that he does share with the Wirehaired Terrier are:

  1. Distichiasis
  2. Eye lash in an abnormal place causing pain
  3. Legg-Perthes Disease
  4. Causes a very serious muscle loss in the dog’s legs
  5. Shoulder Dislocation
  6. Causes pain and arthritis
  7. Post-nasal Drip
  8. Just annoying
  9. Mast Cell Tumor
  10. Cancer – could be fatal
  11. Myasthenia Gravis

Causes muscle weakness and problems swallowing.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

With meat being rare in Hawaii, none was available for the dogs. They were fed Poi – from the Taro plant roots. Puppies were fed 2-3 times a day.

Feeding the adult

The adult dog was fed once or twice a day the same as Poi puppies were fed.

Points for Good Health

The Hawaiian Poi dog basically has not good health points.

Games and Exercises

The Poi dog did not need and did not get much exercise, leading to its demise.

Feeding the puppy

fox terrier smooth dogs - caringFeed 2-3 meals per day and divide 1/8-1/4 cup

Feeding the adult

Feed two meals per day and divide ½ cup

Points for Good Health

hearing and vision

Games and Exercises

The Smooth Fox Terrier is an athlete requiring a lot of exercise. Take him on long walks and play with him in a large fenced yard. Don’t coup him up in the house. Be careful not to exercise him off leash as he will chase anything that moves and will not come when called. They need mental stimulation as well as physical. They are good at hunting, agility, tracking, performing tricks and being a watchdog.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Indonesia
United Kingdom
Height Male:
36 - 38 cm
14 - 15 inches
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
Height Female:
34 - 36 cm
13 - 15 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 15 kg
15 - 34 pounds
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 13 kg
13 - 29 pounds
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
5 - 8 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Native Hawaiian Dog, and Hawaiian Islanders’ Dog., Poi Dog, Ilio, Hawaiian Dog
Smooths Fox Terrier Smooth Coat, Foxy, SFT
Colors Available:
any color with white markings, brown mostly
white with brown, black, tan or ginger markings
Coat:
short and fine
dense, flat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Playful, Stubborn
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mal-Shi vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Malti-Pom vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. PekePoo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Schipperke vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Schweenie vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Lhasapoo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Meliteo Kinidio vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  9. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  10. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  11. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  12. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  13. Prazsky Krysarik vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Pugalier vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Kyi-Leo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Muggin vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Pomeranian vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Maltese vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  20. Pug vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. Maltipoo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Schnauzer vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. Papillon vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Schnauzer vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  27. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  34. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  38. Lakeland Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  39. Jagdterrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  40. Indian Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  42. Japanese Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  43. Old English Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  44. Scoland Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  45. Skye Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  47. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  48. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds