What Kind of Dog is Jericho? An In-Depth explainer

Hey friend! I wanted to share more about Jericho – the service dog helping his owner Matthew Smith in so many ways. As a fellow dog lover and data geek, I was really curious about Jericho‘s breed background and name origin. So I did a deep dive to get all the facts, which I‘m excited to walk you through!

All About Jericho the Service Dog

Jericho entered Matthew Smith‘s life in 2016 after a tragic motocross accident left Matthew paralyzed from the waist down. Like anyone would be, Matthew struggled mentally and emotionally to adjust to life in a wheelchair. But then Jericho came along! This dedicated service dog brought Matthew so much joy and independence.

Jericho helps Matthew with all kinds of daily tasks – fetching items, turning on lights, opening doors, you name it. But more importantly, Jericho motivates Matthew and gives him unconditional love. I don‘t know about you, but I was so inspired when I heard their story! It just goes to show how much service dogs can change someone‘s life.

Now, from photos and videos of him, Jericho clearly looks like a Pit Bull mix breed. He‘s got those classic Pit Bull traits – stocky build, muscular frame, broad head. But his longer snout and different coat markings tell me there‘s likely some other breeds mixed in.

My guess is there could be some Labrador Retriever in the mix. That would explain Jericho‘s even temperament and how easily he learned to be a service dog. I‘d also bet there‘s some golden retriever or other retriever breed based on his trainability and eager-to-please nature.

But we can‘t know for sure what‘s in his genetic makeup without a DNA test! Whatever the combo, this pooch scored the ideal traits of loyalty and resilience that make Pit Bulls so admired, while also inheriting a friendly disposition.

Why A Pit Bull Service Dog is a Smart Choice

I‘m sure you‘ve heard how Pit Bull breeds get a bad rap as dangerous or aggressive. But with proper training and socialization from a young age, Pit Bulls actually have some fantastic qualities that make them great service dogs.

High Trainability – Pit Bulls are very responsive to positive reinforcement training and eager to please their owners. Their intelligence and athleticism allows them to learn a wide variety of useful tasks.

Great Strength – Their muscular build gives them the power to open doors, turn handles, pull wheelchairs, retrieve heavy objects, and provide physical support to owners.

Minimal Shedding – That short, sleek coat doesn‘t shed much, making Pit Bulls ideal for accompanying wheelchair users where loose fur could get messy.

Resilience – Mentally and physically tough by nature, Pit Bulls have an upbeat attitude and perseverance that helps motivate owners facing health challenges. They take stressful situations in stride.

Unwavering Loyalty – Pit Bulls are renowned for forming extremely close bonds with their person. They‘ll stick by their owner‘s side through anything.

So you can see why Pit Bulls can make the best service dogs when selectively bred and trained properly. Jericho has all these wonderful qualities, which explains why he‘s been such a blessing for Matthew!

Interestingly, according to the American Kennel Club, 20% of active service dogs are Pit Bulls or Pit mixes. So Jericho has lots of company out there! The AKC highlights how Pit Bull service dogs help veterans, children with autism, patients with diabetes or PTSD, and people with mobility impairments.

How Jericho Got His Name

When I came across this amazing service dog named Jericho, I‘ll admit I was curious about the significance behind his name.

Turns out, Jericho has some really cool name meanings that perfectly suit this special pup! According to name experts, the name Jericho is linked to these positive vibes:

• Loving & Affectionate – Jerichos tend to bond very strongly with their owner and shower them with cuddles and kisses. Sounds just like Matthew‘s experience!

• Good Natured – The name seems to inspire a gentle, friendly personality. No surprise this describes happy-go-lucky Jericho.

• Hard Working – Jerichos are eager to please and willing to work tirelessly. Clearly this dog works hard helping Matthew everyday!

• Resilient – The name has connotations of strength and perseverance. Just like Jericho overcoming training to become a successful service dog.

• Companionship – Close bonds and fellowship are associated with the name Jericho based on the Biblical city‘s history of community. Fit for him and Matthew!

Empathetic – Jericho seems to intuit what Matthew needs, and selflessly helps him without being asked. The name reflects having empathy for others‘ suffering.

Across many sources, the name Jericho evokes loyalty, hard work, resilience, compassion and good will – the perfect qualities for this hardworking service dog!

Pop Culture Dogs vs. Jericho

Lately it seems like every big movie features an adorable canine character. From Copper in Fox and the Hound to the Air Bud franchise, pop culture is full of famous fictional dogs. And don‘t forget internet celeb pups like Doug the Pug!

But fictional dogs are often used to tell human stories, and sometimes get stuck in stereotyped roles. That‘s what made learning about Jericho so refreshing to me.

For example, in the Disney classic Fox and the Hound, the hound dogs Copper and Chief represent how society pits groups against each other. Copper envies Chief who replaces him on the hunting team, leading to conflict and isolation. Their breeds dictate their roles.

Meanwhile, famous pups on social media are beloved just for being silly and cute. The focus is on their breed‘s traits like Doug the Pug‘s bug eyes.

But Jericho‘s story highlights the loyalty, versatility and companionship of dogs. It challenges negative stereotypes about Pit Bulls. And it shows how dogs can transform human lives through service work.

I love fiction, but Jericho represents some of the best qualities in our furry friends in real life! He deserves all the treats and belly rubs!

The Epic History of Jericho, the Biblical City

Here‘s a fun fact about Jericho – the moniker traces back centuries to one of the most famous cities in Biblical history!

Jericho earned the nickname "the city of palm trees" in the Old Testament. Located just north of the Dead Sea, it was an oasis settlement sustained by natural springs. This prime spot made Jericho a flourishing trade city from the Stone Age onwards.

Archeologists have proven Jericho was indeed one of the earliest and longest inhabited cities on Earth! Their discoveries confirmed so many details described in the Bible.

Here‘s a quick history according to archeological evidence:

• 9000 BCE – Hunter-gathers first settle the area, building stone homes near springs.

• 7000 BCE – Permanent settlements form behind mud brick walls for protection from floods.

• 4000 BCE – Jericho grows to 40 acres and 2,000 people. Massive stone walls with guard towers are constructed.

• 1550 BCE – Suspected destruction by ancient Egyptians causes the city to shrink.

• 1200 BCE – Israelites conquer Jericho, causing the famous Biblical walls to come tumbling down!

That last date is a key one. According to the Book of Joshua, God commanded Joshua to have priests march around Jericho once a day for six days straight, while blowing trumpets made of rams‘ horns. Pretty wild instructions!

Then, on the 7th day, they marched around Jericho 7 times with the Arc of the Covenant, blew a final trumpet blast, and the huge city walls miraculously collapsed! With Jericho‘s defenses down, the Israelites conquered the city.

Archeologists discovered evidence of these huge walls and guard towers confirming the Biblical battle. Though what exactly caused the walls to fall remains a mystery. A mega quake? Undermining the foundations? Divine intervention? No one knows!

Regardless, it was a major victory for the Israelites in their quest to settle Canaan. And it cemented Jericho as the symbolic "city of victory" for generations to come.

So in many ways, Jericho the service dog takes after his tenacious, triumphant namesake by conquering challenges and bettering lives!

The Many Meanings Behind the Name Jericho

Given Jericho‘s significance as an ancient city, it‘s no wonder the name has some powerful meanings in various cultures:

In Greek:

• Jericho derives from "IERIHO" meaning "city of the moon." This references the city‘s early worship of a moon deity.

In Hebrew:

• "Yeriho" combines "yareach" (moon) and "ir" (city) to mean "moon city."

In Arabic:

• "Ariha" means "sweet smelling" or "fragrant", describing Jericho‘s fertile and blossoming landscape.

In English:

• Jericho evokes the dramatic Battle of Jericho, and the image of strong walls tumbling down in conquest.

The name also conveys:

• Fortitude – the legendary walls withstanding centuries of attacks

• Spirituality – worship of the moon god bestowing Jericho with importance

• Destiny – the Israelites fulfilling divine prophecy by conquering Jericho

• Upheaval – Joshua‘s victory radically transforming Canaan‘s power structures

• Tenacity – Modern association with the city‘s imposing walls and conquest by Joshua

So while the exact definition varies – moon city, fragrant, fortified, spiritual – ultimately Jericho has roots in legend and invokes epic strength!

Why Jericho Holds Significance for Christianity

The story of Joshua‘s battle was incredibly meaningful for Jewish and Christian leaders of the day – and remains so today! Here‘s a high level look at why:

• It was a miraculous victory proving God can deliver even a heavily fortified city into their hands, as long as they have faith.

• Marching for 7 days showed obedience and devotion. God rewarded their unwavering patience and trust.

• Validated Joshua‘s leadership and consolidated Hebrew control over Canaan.

• The conquest set the stage for establishing Israel and fulfilling God‘s promises to His chosen people.

• In the New Testament, Jericho is the site of miracles by Jesus like healing the blind. Affirming Jesus‘ divine powers.

• Encourages faith in God‘s plans, even when the odds seem impossible!

You can see why the name Jericho would resonate with faithful Christians. And how the city‘s rich history helps make it a meaningful name choice for our modern-day canine heroes!

How Jericho Earned the Name "Oldest City in the World"

Alright, last history lesson – I promise! Let‘s quickly run through some key moments that made ancient Jericho so famous:

• 9000 BCE – Archaeologists confirm nomadic hunter-gathers first settled at Jericho drawn by the natural springs. They built the earliest known homes with stone foundations.

• 7000 BCE – Mud brick perimeter walls are erected establishing one of the world‘s first fortified settlements. Round guard towers are added later.

• 4000 BCE – Jericho grows into a major hub, home to 2,000 residents across nearly 40 acres with imposing 30 foot walls and towers. This massive fortification was unique for so early in history.

• 1550 BCE – After suspected conquest by Egyptians, Jericho is somewhat abandoned but inhabited again shortly after, showing continuous settlement.

• 1200 BCE – Conquered by Joshua‘s army according to Biblical accounts. The city‘s prime location leads to swift rebuilding after destruction.

• 700 BCE to 200 CE – Conquered by Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans in turn. But each time, Jericho persists and survives destruction.

This pattern of building, destruction, and revival – along with evidence of settlements dating to the late Stone Age – earned Jericho the moniker "world‘s oldest continuously inhabited city."

Pretty mind blowing when you think about it! Just imagine over 11,000 years of human history in that one spot.

Jericho Today – A Shadow of Its Former Glory

You might be wondering – what‘s become of the famed city of Jericho today?

Sadly, present day Jericho is largely uninhabited ruins. After major damage in battles around 100 CE, the city never really regained its former glory. Over centuries, various small Arab settlements popped up in the area.

Today the ancient site of Jericho we know from the Bible is called "Tell es-Sultan" – combining the Arabic word for "mound" with an Ottoman ruler‘s name.

Within Tell es-Sultan, archaeologists have uncovered remains of walls, homes, guard towers, and other fortifications that would‘ve been part of ancient Jericho. The crumbling ruins of this once great city are like a snapshot frozen in time!

While no longer the bustling oasis city of Biblical times, the historic site still offers pilgrimage opportunities for those wanting to walk where Joshua marched long ago. There‘s a certain wonder that comes from stepping into a place with over 11,000 years of human history!

Key Takeaways About Jericho the Service Dog

Let‘s recap the key details about this very good boy:

• Jericho is likely a Pit Bull mixed breed, inheriting the intelligence and strength of the Pit Bull along with the friendliness of retrievers.

• The name Jericho has connotations of loyalty, empathy, resilience and hard work – perfectly suited to this dedicated service dog!

• Ancient Jericho was a heavily fortified Biblical city conquered in dramatic fashion by Joshua and his army as they settled Canaan.

• Excavations of ancient Jericho show over 11,000 years of continuous settlement – rightfully earning it the nickname "world‘s oldest city."

• For Christians, Jericho symbolizes God‘s miraculous power and the rewards of unwavering faith and devotion.

• Both the service dog Jericho and the Biblical city reflect strength, tenacity and the human capacity for caretaking.

Jericho‘s breed and background story have certainly left me inspired! He embodies the heroic achievements of his namesake. This very good boy deserves all the belly rubs and ear scratches we can give him!

I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into Jericho‘s origins. Let me know if you have any other furry friends you want me to research!

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