10 oldest dog breeds in the world

As you know, a dog is a man’s best friend. And this friendship has been going on for thousands of years. It seems that it was the dog that became the first domesticated animal that is able to faithfully serve the owner in any circumstances.

In the course of the development of the relationship between man and dog, the first one constantly tried to improve the characteristics of the animal, depending on its needs. This is how new breeds appeared: hunting, hounds, fighting, etc.

However, to this day, such types of dogs have survived that existed on Earth several millennia ago, and even then a person had an idea about their unique qualities. We present you the 10 oldest dog breeds in the world.

10 Chinese Shar Pei

Images found on ancient pottery suggest that shar pei already existed from 206 BC. and could be descended from the Chow Chow (both have a black and bluish tongue). These dogs have had several jobs on farms in China, including hunting, stalking, hunting mice, herding livestock, protecting livestock, and also protecting family members.

During the communist revolution, the Shar Pei fell out of favor. Fortunately, in the early 1970s, a Hong Kong businessman decided to save the breed, and with only a few dogs, he was able to dramatically increase the number of Shar Pei specimens. Now this breed is one of the most popular in the United States.

9. samoyed dog

Samoyed genetics are closely related to the primitive dog. This dog was bred by the Samoyeds of Siberia to pull teams, herd reindeer and hunt.

At the end of the 1909th century, the Samoyeds went beyond Siberia and were used to take out sledges on polar expeditions. The expeditions were so difficult and dangerous that only the strongest dogs could survive. The Samoyed was adopted as a breed in England in 1923 and in the United States in XNUMX.

8. Saluki

Saluki – a native of the region from East Turkestan to Turkey, and was named after the Arab city of Saluki. The breed is closely related to another ancient breed, the Afghan Hound, and is one of the oldest domesticated dogs known to man.

Mummified bodies of the Salukis have been found alongside those of the pharaohs, and their portraits have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2100 BC. These dogs are good hunters and incredibly fast runners and were used by the Arabs to hunt gazelles, foxes, jackals and hares.

7. Pekingese

These cute dogs with a very wayward character have a long history. DNA evidence confirms that Pekingese is one of the oldest breeds that has existed in China for 2000 years.

The breed was named after the capital of China – Beijing, and the dogs belonged exclusively to the royal family of China. Around 1860, the first Pekingese arrived in England as trophies from the Opium War, but it wasn’t until the 1890s that a few dogs were smuggled out of China. The Pekingese was officially recognized in England in 1904 and in 1906 in the United States.

6. Lhasa Apso

This small, woolly dog ​​native to Tibet was named after the holy city of Lhasa. Its thick fur is designed to protect against extreme cold and heat in natural climates. First Lhasa Apso, recorded in history, dates back to 800 BC.

For thousands of years, Lhasa Apso was the exclusive property of monks and nobility. The breed was considered sacred, and when the owner of the dog died, it was believed that his soul entered his Lhasa body.

The first pair of this breed to arrive in the United States was introduced by the thirteenth Dalai Lama in 1933. The American Kennel Club adopted the Lhasa Apso as a breed in 1935.

5. Chow Chow

Exact origin chow chow remains a mystery, but we know it is a very old breed. In fact, the oldest recorded dog fossils, dating back several million years, are very similar to the Chow Chow’s physical structure.

There are images of pottery that appear to be chow chows – they date back to 206 BC. It is believed that Chow Chows are related to the Shar Pei, and may also be the ancestors of the Keeshond, Norwegian Elk Hunter, Samoyed and Pomeranian.

Chow Chows were used by the Chinese as hunters, shepherd dogs, carriage and sled dogs, guardians and home guards.

Chow Chows first arrived in England at the end of the 19th century, and the name of the breed may come from the English Pigdin word “Chow Chow”, which refers to various items brought by merchants from the Far East to England. The Chow Chow was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1903.

4. Basenji

It is believed that Basenji – one of the oldest domesticated dogs. His reputation as a dog that does not bark may be due to the fact that people of antiquity preferred a quiet dog as a hunter. Basenjis bark, but usually only once, and then remain silent.

Another interesting aspect of this breed is that it can only be partially domesticated. The Basenji’s metabolism is different from that of any other domesticated dog, with females having only one cycle per year compared to other domesticated dogs which have two cycles per year.

Basenjis were used by African tribes to play, carry objects, and warn of possible dangers. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1943.

3. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute – Scandinavian sled dog, named after the Alaskan tribe that raised dogs. The breed originated from the Arctic wolf, and was originally used to pull sleds.

Like the Samoyeds, these dogs also participated in polar expeditions, including the exploration of Admiral Byrd at the South Pole. The Alaskan Malamute belongs to three other Arctic breeds, including Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, and American Eskimo Dogs.

2. Akita Inu

Akita Inu – A native of the Akita region in Japan and the national dog of this country. The Akita is a very versatile breed. It is used as a police, sled and military dog, as well as a watchman or a bear and deer hunter.

The first Akita was brought to the United States in 1937 by Helen Keller, who received it as a gift. Unfortunately, the dog died shortly after arrival. In 1938 the second Akita, the older brother of the first dog, was taken over by Keller.

After World War II, many US military brought the Akita to the country. There are currently two types of Akita, the original Japanese Akita Inu and the American Standard Akita. Unlike Japan and many other countries, the United States and Canada recognize both types of Akita as one breed.

1. Afghan hound

This impressive dog was born in Afghanistan and its original breed name was this one. It was believed that the occurrence afghan hound dates back to the era BC, and the evidence of its DNA indicates that it is one of the oldest dog breeds.

The Afghan Hound is a hound dog and an extremely agile and fast runner. These dogs were originally used as shepherds, as well as hunters of deer, wild goats, snow leopards and wolves.

Afghan Hounds were first introduced to England in 1925 and later to the United States. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1926.