The Native American Indian Dog (NAID) has gained increasing attention in recent years, but with that attention has come confusion. Chief among the misconceptions is a persistent, damaging rumor: that NAIDs are “feral,” wild, or untrainable dogs. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In this article, we’ll dig deep into the roots of this myth, explain why it has gained traction, and show you what science and real-world results reveal about these extraordinary dogs.
What Does “Feral” Even Mean?
Let’s start with definitions. The word feral refers to a domesticated animal that has reverted to a wild state. It implies unpredictability, poor trainability, and a lack of human socialization.
But NAIDs are not feral. They are a primitive breed, meaning they retain instinctual behaviors, discernment, and independence that have been largely bred out of modern dogs. Primitive does not mean wild. It means closer to the source.
In reality, NAIDs thrive on relationship, are deeply intuitive, and bond intensely with their people when raised in the right environment. What they are not is robotic or eager-to-please like a Golden Retriever. This isn’t a bug—it’s a feature.
The Source of the Misinformation
Much of the confusion stems from an online group known as the Official NAID Network, whose admins and moderators actively promote the idea that NAIDs are wolfdogs. This group has created and enforced rules that prohibit members from challenging that narrative, even going so far as to ban users for stating that NAIDs are not wolfdogs.
So why push that idea so hard? Honestly, it seems to come down to a few things. First, there’s a real lack of understanding when it comes to genetics. The voices pushing this idea may know a lot about how to work with northern breeds, but genetics is a different animal. It takes years of careful study to understand how inheritance, ancestry testing, and breed preservation actually work—and we believe a lot of this misinformation simply wouldn’t be circulating if there were a deeper grasp of the subject.
That said, dog communities can be passionate places. People get invested, emotions run high, and sometimes things get said out of hurt feelings or personal bias. It happens. But there’s more to it, too. Let’s be honest—calling a dog a “wolfdog” adds an exotic edge. It sounds mysterious, wild, special. And for some folks, that uniqueness becomes a kind of badge of honor. The idea that their dog is part wolf makes them feel like they’re part of something rare and extraordinary.
But here’s the truth: that narrative doesn’t line up with the facts. NAIDs should not carry recent wolf content, and suggesting otherwise only clouds the real beauty of the breed—its history, its purpose, and the years of thoughtful breeding that go into producing stable, intelligent, family-friendly dogs. And it damages the breed’s reputation, scares off potential owners, and fuels misinformation that is repeated by influencers and search engines alike.
What Science Tells Us
The Native American Indian Dog Preservation Project (NAIDPP) has worked tirelessly to genetically verify the breed. Through a partnership with UC Davis, we’ve used the wolf content test, which detects recent wolf ancestry up to three generations back. All verified NAIDs in our registry have tested negative for recent wolf DNA.
Beyond three generations, the genetic markers used in the test become more diluted due to the random shuffling of genetic material in each subsequent generation. This makes it increasingly challenging, and potentially unreliable, to detect wolf ancestry with this specific test in generations further removed than the third.
Additionally, Ancestry Know Your Pet testing confirms the dogs’ classification as Native American Indian Dogs, with no wolf ancestry reported.
Contrast this with the fact that NAIDs often test positive for gray wolf on Embark. But even that is misunderstood: Embark’s results are algorithmic estimates, not definitive proof of recent ancestry. Geneticists agree that many dogs test positive for gray wolf DNA because of ancient shared ancestry with northern breeds, and because of the genetic shuffling that occurs.
Real-World Results: The Trainability of a Medicine Dog
NAIDs are not just trainable—they are excelling in high-pressure, high-trust roles. Many NAIDs from NAIDPP lines have been successfully trained and placed as:
- Medical alert service dogs
- Psychiatric service dogs
- Mobility support dogs
- Therapy and crisis response dogs
Their emotional attunement, intelligence, and drive to connect make them uniquely suited for this work. But their primitive nature means they need the right kind of handler: someone calm, intentional, and invested in the partnership. They are not plug-and-play dogs. They are medicine dogs, and like all medicine, they require presence, patience, and purpose.
Why the Myth Persists
There are three main reasons:
- 1. Unethical Breeding: People mislabeling husky/malamute/shepherd (and sometimes wolfdog) crosses as NAIDs.
- 2. Poor Socialization: Puppies raised without guidance and human interaction can appear fearful or reactive.
- 3. Misinformation Networks: Online groups that suppress real science and inflate drama.
Unfortunately, these factors combine to give the public the wrong idea. One breeder’s bad cross shouldn’t define an entire breed. NAIDs are being judged by the loudest voices, not the most accurate ones.
The Truth About the NAID
NAIDs are not wild. They are ancestral. They are not untrainable. They are intelligent, sensitive, and intuitive. Their ability to sense emotion, danger, and energy is not a liability—it’s a gift.
This is a dog bred for spiritual partnership. A dog that thrives in meaningful work. A dog that will walk beside you, not behind you.
How NAIDPP Is Changing the Narrative
At the Native American Indian Dog Preservation Project, we’re rewriting the story:
- Registering verified dogs and documenting nearly 1,000 pedigrees and counting
- Partnering with geneticists to clear up the confusion around wolf content
- Creating a trainer directory and service dog development program
- Rescuing misrepresented “NAIDs” and advocating for breed clarity
We are building something lasting: a registry, a movement, and a truth the world can trust.
Final Word
The NAID is not feral. It is foundational.
If you’re seeking a dog that listens with its soul, protects with discernment, and connects beyond words, you’re not looking for a wolfdog. You’re looking for a medicine dog.
And we are here to help you find one.
