In the world there are more than 300 different breeds of dogs. Some of these breeds appeared less than a century back. While others are almost as old as man. In fact, a study from the University of California, points out that the first dogs descend from the European wolf and that they were domesticated more than 18,000 years ago. Do you want to know which are the oldest dog breeds in the world? be sure to read this interesting article.
We know that the dog is the animal that has been closest to humans; and throughout all these years, it has helped man in various activities, such as: hunting, rescue, grazing, protection, combat, etc. Currently, most dogs are companion, however, we cannot minimize that task because, in recent years, it has been discovered that having a dog at home brings great physical and emotional benefits to people. And we cannot forget that many other dogs continue to perform important activities; we can find search and rescue dogs, police dogs or therapy dogs. Next, we are going to introduce you to the oldest dog breeds in the world.
Saluki
The saluki is one of the oldest and most domesticated dog breeds known. Images of this dog appear in Egyptian tombs from 2100 BC.C. There are even indications that King Tutankhamun had Saluki dogs that accompanied him to hunt. For that reason, this breed is also known as the royal dog of Egypt. And thanks to its great qualities as a hunting dog, it achieved an important space in the Arab world.
Basenji
Apparently, this breed of dog was the first to be domesticated by man. There are indications that this dog was present since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, since they can be seen in hieroglyphs dating back more than 5000 years. Because this dog has excellent abilities to jump vertically, the inhabitants of the African tribes used them to hunt. One of the characteristics of this dog is that it cannot bark, it can only emit grunts.
Chow chow
It is still unknown what the exact origin of this breed of dog is. However, in northern China, vestiges of its existence have been found, dating back to 150 BC.C. Apparently, at that time, they were used by Buddhists to protect their temples, because this breed of dog is large, strong and very brave. One of its main characteristics is that its tongue has a bluish hue, which makes it stand out from the rest of the races.
Chinese Shar pei
Its name means ‘sand skin’ in Chinese and is another of the rarest breeds that exist due to the folds and wrinkles that form its skin. It is thought that the first specimens of this breed date from the year 200 BC.C. Their mission was to hunt wild boars and protect livestock.
Japanese Chin
This is another of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Originally from China, it was given to Japan around 700 B.C. These animals were very popular in Japanese society as pets, since their sizes could be taken anywhere.
Tibetan Mastiff
According to various testimonies, apparently, the origin of this breed of dog dates back to 2000 years before Christ, in the region of Tibet, China (hence its name). Thanks to its huge and imposing body, it was used by the first inhabitants of the Himalayas to hunt. Subsequently, he also served as protector of the villages, herding cattle and to take care of the prisoners, and even went so far as to fight with large animals such as bears.
Afghan Greyhound
Another of the oldest dog breeds is the Afghan Greyhound; and stands out, especially, for its porte and its beauty. It is thought that their origin dates back to about 8000 years ago and that these dogs were used to hunt large prey in the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan.
Pekingese
This small and curious dog already existed in the eighth century A.C. when the Tang Dynasty reigned. They are brave little ones with a great capacity to adapt to any environment, hence it is considered one of the most resistant and long-lived dog breeds.
Alaska Malamute
It is believed that this breed of dogs is with man approximately 3000 years ago. It was bred by the Mhalemut tribe (hence its name) and were used to sled and hunt. Although today it is considered a pet, you can still see specimens for the sled strip and the transport of goods.
Samoyed
It is unknown when exactly the Samoyed first appeared. But it is known that the Samoyed tribe migrated to the Arctic from Central Asia at least a thousand years before Christianity. And in the XiX century they were brought to England at the request of Queen Alexandra, which contributed to this breed becoming known throughout the world.
These were the oldest dog breeds in the world.
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