[1] The term has taken on many connotations, and has to some extent become an emblem of and metaphor for reservations/reserves, life on them, and indigenous North Americans in general.

For example, a "rez dog" may refer to a resident of indigenous lands.

[2] The distinction between a rez dog and dogs in general is often seen as emblematic of the difference between indigenous and majority culture ways of life.

[3] Untended dogs roaming indigenous lands cause problems that the communities must deal with.

[4][5] The dogs are generally thought of as mixed-breed and unsupervised.