Description
The Dominique Club of America provides a summary of the lengthy history of the heritage breed:
In the Mid-1800s the Dominique was the most popular chicken breed in the US. The importation of Asiatic and some of the fancier ornamental breeds led to a decrease in interest in breeding Dominiques, as they became considered ordinary barnyard fowl. In 1874, the Dominique was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection. As with many of the heritage breeds, the popularity of the Dominique declined once more chickens began to be raised commercially and less on family farms. These days the Dominique is gaining popularity once again, as many hobby farmers have grown to love all the wonderful things that the Dominique has to offer as a productive egg layer and wonderful family pet with a friendly disposition.
Dominique history written in 1945 by Mr. Ed Uber, a distinguished Dominique breeder.
An article about the breed’s near extinction, and rescue by a handful of dedicated breeders.
Mark Fields writes about some of the earliest historical references to the Dominique.