In general, about 350 breeds of dogs are recognized in the world, and new breeds are constantly being added. But which dogs are among the oldest?
The dog has been man’s best friend for thousands of years. And the latest archaeological find is proof of that. Last year, archaeologists managed to excavate the remains of the oldest dog on the island of Žochov.
It is estimated to be a 9,500-year-old ancestor of the Greenland draft dogs, which the ancient inhabitants of the island used as “pullers” for sledges and various heavy objects. But as you can see, the Greenland Dog was not the only ancient breed to delight the human race. According to scientists, there are several breeds with a rich history. Which ones are they?
The author of the video, AnimalWised, introduces you to old dog breeds. More on the channel YouTube.com.
Source: Youtube
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Despite the discovery of the Greenlandic draft dog, the Akita Inu is still considered the oldest breed, dating back 10,000 years. Dog remains found at the Kumakogen site in Japan prove the fact that the ancestors of the Akita inu lived as early as the Jómon period of Japan’s prehistoric age, which lasted from 10,000 BC to 300 BC.
According to the preserved remains, dogs were used in ancient times to hunt mammals and big game, especially wild boar and elk. The Akita inu breed is characterized by dignity, loyalty and courage…
Therefore, it is not surprising that these dogs were faithful companions of the old samurai. To this day, the Akita inu is considered one of the symbols of Japan. Locals love and worship this dog as a protector of the family and a messenger of happiness, health and long life.
Greenlandic draft dog
And there is the already announced Greenland draft dog! At first glance, it looks like a cross between a husky and an Alaskan malamute. But appearances are deceiving! According to scientists, these dogs were not crossbred in any way. Their special physiognomy corresponds to the harsh conditions of the north.
The dog’s body had to adapt to great physical exertion in places where it is very cold and there is less oxygen content. At the same time, it was fed a diet that was rich in starch and sugar. According to the remains, the Greenlandic draft dog was (and is) man’s “right hand” for 9,500 years.
Afghan Hound
It was originally said to have originated in Egypt. But as the name of the breed suggests, the ancestor of this breed has its home in Afghanistan, where it was bred by nomadic tribes. The slender body and incredible running speed predestined the Afghan Hound as a game hunter (especially antelope).
Some stories even say that the Afghan hound was able to catch and kill even a leopard! This breed is said to be funny, sometimes reserved and cantankerous, which is a problem especially if you want to train the dog.
Greyhound
This dog is the star of temple and cave paintings, especially in Turkey. Sometimes you can see his likeness on old graves. Either way, the greyhound was a favorite four-legged pet of the ancient Egyptians, who used it as a hunter, companion and guard dog. In the Middle Ages, famine gripped Europe and greyhounds were threatened with extinction.
The clergy then took over the breed and began breeding it. After that, the greyhound became a favorite companion of the nobility and cream of the day. He impressed the ruler not only with his appearance, but also with his character. The greyhound is considered an intelligent, independent, loving dog that does everything to please its master.
Basenji
He is a bit like an alien among his “four-legged” species. Its nature resembles a cat more than a dog. Why? The Basenji is extremely clean and, like a cat, it jumps very well.
It originally comes from remote areas of Africa and has a feline rather than a canine nature.
Another peculiarity is that he does not bark at all, but rather “yodels”. According to archaeologists, this skill evolved in the race mainly because its ancestors lived in savannahs with tall grass.
Saluki
If you were to travel through time and canine history, you should definitely not miss the Saluki breed. This breed was already known to the ancient Egyptians, as evidenced by gold pendants with the image of a dog – the Saluki – found in ancient tombs.
Salukis were valued by the Egyptian and later Arab nobility for their speed, endurance and hunting instinct. This dog is said to run at speeds of up to 42 miles per hour. No wonder it was used for hunting gazelles in ancient times.
Bye-bye
It comes from China, where it appeared already at the time of the Hun Dynasty (ie 206 BC). Its peculiarity is that it has a distinctly blue (even black) tongue, which is why there is a superstition that when the world was formed, the Chow Chow could lick the remains of the blue sky that fell to the ground.
The world-famous traveler Marco Polo also met this race in his time. In his notes, he portrays the Chow Chow as a strong and self-confident dog with a kind soul. The Chow Chow is adaptable and can acclimate to life in the city or in the countryside. It is highly valued in the world and its price ranges from 1500 to 3000 US dollars.
Poodle
Most people think that the poodle comes from France, but they are wrong! The homeland of this curler is Germany. Few people know that it was originally a hunting dog used to retrieve caught waterfowl. The future of poodles was determined by their somewhat comical appearance, which was related to the curls that created the dog’s funny hairstyle.
Thanks to this, the poodle became an elitist breed. People appreciated his intelligence, cheerful nature, but also his incredible ability to learn new things. That’s why the poodle became a favorite of families, but also a trained seeker of rare truffles. Playfulness and comedic talent also predestined poodles to become part of circus performances.
Pekingese palace dog
According to one legend, this breed was created by the Buddha himself. It is said that he only shrunk a lion to the size of a dog and thus the Pekingese was born… Thanks to his cute appearance and cuddly nature, he used to be a favorite four-legged pet of Chinese emperors.
His popularity has continued to this day. Although it is a classic “couch”, the Pekingese can also surprise. Few would see in this furry creature the great watchdog that he undoubtedly is!
Sources: www.dutch.com, www.chlupaci.cz
