What is a Potcake ? Potcake is a breed of stray dogs. This is a breed that is a mixture of many other breeds. They came from the Bahamas mainly and people there say that they are a combination of Labrador and German Shepherd with Foxx Terrier breeds.
They are famous for the name Potcakes because the people of the Bahamas used to give these stray dogs leftovers of traditional rice and pea dishes from the pot.
What is a Potcake?
They are a very extraordinary breed. They are often misunderstood that because they are stray dogs, they will attack or they can’t be trained. Inside them is a very soft and gentle heart. They yearn for love. They are very loyal and smart dogs.
Their fur is very short and smooth with little or no undercoat. Potcakes of shaggy or rough coat are not very common. They are known for their shape of face which is like Terrier. Their ears are cocked and their rib is like a hound cage.
Potcakes can be from 35 pounds to 55 pounds in weight. They are about 25 inches tall. Potcakes of usually of the color brown but can be of white, black, or yellow in color.
This breed is usually found on islands of the Caribbean. They are increasing rapidly in number each year. They leave many people frustrated by running around on roads and turning their garbage cans in search of food. This causes many accidents on the road.
Appearance and Grooming
Looks
Potcakes are famously known for having a shepherd-mixed look. Because they are a mixture of many different breeds, their looks can vary. They can look like a terrier, a shepherd, or a golden retriever. Their ears are generally pointed or cocked. They have long faces.
Coat
They have a smooth coat. They don’t have any undercoat. Some of them may have fluffy fur with a rough undercoat. This coat is also known as the Shaggy coat.
Colors
As they are the result of many breeds, their coat colors may vary in different colors. Some of them have beige, tan, cream, and brindle coats.
Size
A Potcake normally has a height of 60cm approximately. The weight of a dog depends on whether he is healthy or not. A normal healthy dog can have a weight of around 10kg.
Care
Because they come from many different genes, we can not predict much, but most of them have shiny and glossy coats without any undercoat. They have very short coats so you don’t have to brush them daily.
Their hair won’t be tangled or matted is a plus point. They are easy to groom. You also don’t have to bathe them daily. You just have to keep their ears cleaned and nails trimmed.
Temperament and Personality
Nature
This breed is remarkable. They are sweet and loving. They are loyal. They can be stubborn sometimes like most dogs are. But with proper training, you can get rid of this trait.
Behavior
Their behavior depends on where they come from. If they come from a house where they were properly trained, then you will find them socialized and well-behaved. But if they are from the streets, they will be easily frightened and scared. This is because they spend most of their lives on the streets and are very fearful. They are not generally aggressive.
Intelligence
A Potcake is very intelligent and quick like other dog breeds. They can be trained in a home and they will learn quickly. They are often recognized as street smarts. They know how to survive in an environment that is not in favor of them. They have to do anything they can do to survive.
Loyal
If you adopt and train them, you will find a whole new side of them. You will find them loving, sweet, and loyal. You have to take good care of them and they will always owe their life to you and will be grateful to you for your kindness. They are very calm and resilient.
Food and Health
Some of the dog breeds are very sensitive. They can’t eat just anything given to them. Their stomach gets upset if proper diet food is not given to them. On the other hand, we have Potcakes. They can eat everything that is in front of them.
Because they spend most of their life on the streets and don’t have any food. So in search of food, they explore the garbage bins of the streets. They have to survive on whatever food is there in the garbage bins. They don’t have much choice.
Diet
But for them to live healthy and to increase their life span, you need to give them a proper diet food. A portion of food filled with proteins, nutrients, and vitamins will keep them healthy and full of energy. This prevents them from many disorders that other street dogs become the victims of.
You will have to make sure you don’t overfeed your dog. This will make them a victim of obesity and make them suffer other health problems.
Genetic Issues
A Potcake doesn’t have any serious genetic health conditions which we should be worried about because they are strays and are very resilient. When these puppies are rescued, they are victim of many parasites and diseases because they are not vaccinated.
Like many other dog breeds, they also are prone to some health conditions that we should be aware of.
Minor Issues
External parasites like fleas, mites, and ticks and skin allergies like atopic dermatitis and food allergies are some common minor health issues among them.
Serious Issues
Some serious health conditions that could have a major effect on your dog’s health are bloating (gas in the stomach), and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. These issues can cause permanent disorders in your dog.
After adopting them, make sure to spay or neuter them as it can prevent many behavioral issues because of hormones. Because of these hormones, they can start excessive barking or whining. By neutering you can also save your dog from some infections that could affect their reproductive organs and can prevent cancer.
Exercise and Training
High Energy
As most dog breeds have very high energy levels, Potcakes also inherit this quality from their parents. They want to play with you all the time and want your attention. Sometimes they become couch potatoes. They will be in their world and will not move an inch, resting.
They can become a victim of obesity if they are on the couch all the time. That is why you should keep them busy. You need to take them on walks and play with them in the parks. You can also play mind games with them like hiding their food in different areas of the house and they will have to search for it. This will also keep them busy and entertained.
If their owner wants to play with them, they will be all in for it. Adult Potcakes don’t care for playing most of the time but the young Potcakes need to exercise to spare their energy and to avoid being bored.
Easy to train
The Potcakes of the Bahamas are very smart and intelligent. Because they yearn for home and love, when they find this love, they want to please their owner. They will do anything you ask them of. They are very easy to train because of this very reason.
The biggest problem that comes when you adopt them is that they don’t want to stay at home. These strays spend most of their life roaming and wandering. They don’t like to be on a leash. They should be kept in a fenced yard so that they don’t run away.
You will have to use some kind of positive reinforcement to keep them motivated. You can train them by giving them small commands at first like sit, stand, or rollover. If they obey you, make sure you give them treats as it will promote good behavior.
Conclusion
Potcakes are street dogs who spend most of their lives on the streets looking for food. They usually avoid humans and are scared of them because humans don’t usually care about them and don’t adopt them. They have to be on alert all the time because of humans and other dogs.
They are not your usual go-to dogs. They are very sensitive and once you build a relationship with them, you will see a whole new side of them that is very sweet and lovely. They are very grateful to their owners for saving them.
Some FAQs:
How much a Potcake can grow?
An average Potcake can weigh from 15 to 35kg, but you will find most of them are of 20 kg. Their height is no more them 25 inches.
Is Potcake a dangerous dog?
Because of their large size, many think they are very dangerous and will attack you instantly. They are street dogs so they have to be on alert. If they sense that someone will harm them, then they can attack. Otherwise, they will not be a danger.
Can a Potcake be adopted?
Yes, can adopt a Potcake and train him to be a house dog. This way you will help him from spending his life on the streets. He will thank you and will love you for this kindness.
Can you keep this dog in the family house?
Yes, this dog is very ideal for family houses, you just have to train them properly. They are easy-going and engaging. They enjoy the company of kids and endure them well. You should still overwatch them to avoid any damage.
