Since the Hawaiian archipelago did not have large, terrestrial mammals, other than feral hogs (which also likely arrived with the Polynesians), poi dogs were not particularly desired or needed for hunting.

European explorers, like Captain Cook, encountered "pot-bellied, short-legged" poi dogs that freely associated with the kept hogs in the villages.

The lack of details has led historians to guess at what works may be realistic depictions of the breed based on the physical characteristics.

[3] Writers Katharine Luomala and Margaret Titcomb both agreed an unfinished line drawing, dated to c. 1816–17, by French artist Louis Choris, who was part of the exploring expedition of Otto von Kotzebue, may show one of the dogs in center which may resemble the extinct breed.

Luomala also claims French artist Barthélémy Lauvergne possibly captured a dog with the same traits in his colored drawing of Honolulu Harbor in 1836.

[12] In 1976, the crews on the Hōkūleʻa on their expedition to recreate the historical Polynesian voyage between Hawaii and Tahiti brought along a dog from this program, which they named Hoku.