What is a Potcake?
Potcake is actually a mixed-breed dog type from the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. The name “Potcake” actually draws its origin from the caked food mixture remaining in the bottom of cooking pots, that local islanders traditionally fed the roaming island dogs.
Potcakes are virtually everywhere in the Turks & Caicos and Islands and Bahamas. On these idyllic islands, thousands (correction, many thousands) of stray Potcakes wander the streets, docks, construction sites, beaches and brush in constant search for food, fresh water, shelter and occasional acts of kindness by humans. Despite continued spay & neuter efforts, the numbers of feral, stray dogs continue to grow. Most locals and vacationers who encounter these amazing island dogs view them with empathy and compassion. There are a handful of dedicated non-profit “potcake rescue” organizations that work tirelessly to rescue homeless potcakes, nurse them to back to health and place them up for adoption. Unfortunately, too many other people apathetically perceive the homeless island dogs as a mere nuisance. Even worse, others inexplicably (ignorantly) treat them inhumanely with disdain and contemp. Bottom line, a homeless Potcake’s life is a grueling grind – a day-to-day struggle for survival. Left to survive in the wild, they experience dramatically shortened lives, followed by cruel, painful, lonely deaths.
Although their appearance can vary greatly, traditional potcake dogs generally have smooth coats, cocked “helicopter” style ears, long hound-like faces and expressive eyes. They are a medium size dog, typically growing to between 35 to 55 pounds, with the average being around 45 pounds. Most Potcakes wear their emotions in their eyes (and, of course, their tails). No hidden agendas, what you see is what you get. Once you gain their trust, they are incredibly loyal, loving and very intelligent. When a Potcake is rescued, given care, attention and affection, they almost always express enthusiastic and sincere appreciation for their good fortune. Wonderful as family house pets, you would be very lucky to have a Potcake choose you for their human.
