As you know, a dog is a friend of man. And this friendship has been going on for many millennia. It seems that it was the dog that became the first domesticated animal that is able to faithfully serve the owner in any circumstances.
During the development of the relationship between man and dog, the first one all the time tried to improve the characteristics of the animal, depending on its needs. So there were all new breeds: hunting, hounds, fighting, etc.
However, to this day such types of dogs have survived that existed on Earth several thousand years ago, and even then man had a concept of their unique qualities. We present you the 10 most ancient dog breeds in the world.
10. Chinese shar pei
Images found on antique ceramics suggest that shar pei existed already since 206 BC and could come from chow-chow (both have a bluish-blue tongue). These dogs had several farm jobs in China, including hunting, tracking, mouse hunting, cattle grazing, livestock protection, and protecting family members.
During the communist revolution, sharpei lost popularity. Fortunately, in the early 1970s, a businessman from Hong Kong decided to save the breed, and with only a few dogs, he was able to dramatically increase the number of sharpei samples. Now this breed is one of the most popular in the USA.
9. Samoyed dog
Samoyed genetics is closely related to a primitive dog. This dog was bred by the Samoyeds of Siberia to haul sledges, graze deer and hunt.
At the end of the 19th century, Samoyeds went beyond Siberia and were used to transport sledges on polar expeditions. The expeditions were so complex and dangerous that only the strongest dogs could survive. Samoyed was adopted as a breed in England in 1909 and in the United States in 1923.
8. Saluki
Saluki - A native of the region from East Turkestan to Turkey, and was named after the Arab city of Salyuki. The breed is closely related to another ancient breed - the Afghan Hound, and is one of the oldest domesticated dogs known to man.
Mummified saluki bodies were found next to the bodies of the pharaohs, and their portraits are found in Egyptian tombs dating to 2100. These dogs hunt well and are incredibly fast runners, and they were used by Arabs to hunt gazelles, foxes, jackals and hares.
7. Pekingese
These cute dogs with a very wayward character have a long history. DNA data confirm that Pekingese is one of the oldest breeds that existed in China for 2,000 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 of the Opium War, but only in the 1890s, several dogs were smuggled out of China. Pekingese was officially recognized in England in 1904, and in 1906 in the United States.
6. Lhasa Apso
This small woolen dog from Tibet was named after the holy city of Lhasa. Its thick fur is designed to protect against extreme cold and heat in a natural climate. First Lhasa Apsorecorded in history dates back to 800 BC
For millennia, Lhasa Apso has been the exclusive property of monks and nobles. The breed was considered sacred, and when the owner of the dog was dying, it was believed that his soul entered the body of his Lhasa.
The first pair of dogs of this breed to arrive in the United States was the thirteenth Dalai Lama in 1933. The American Kennel Club adopted Lhasa Apso as a breed in 1935.
5. Chow Chow
Exact origin chow chow remains a mystery, but we know that this is a very old breed. In fact, the oldest recorded dog fossils dating back several million years ago are very similar to the physical structure of Chow Chows.
There are images of pottery on which the Chow Chow seems to be depicted - they date back to 206. It is believed that the Chow Chow is associated with Shar Pei, and can also be the ancestors of Keeshond, the Norwegian moose hunter, Samoyed and Pomeranian.
The Chow Chow was used by the Chinese as hunters, shepherd dogs, carriages and sled dogs, guardians and home guards.
Chow-chow arrived in England for the first time at the end of the 19th century, and the name of the breed can come from the English pygdin word "chow-chow", which refers to various items brought by merchants from the Far East to England. 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. Basenji bark, but usually only once, and then they are silent.
Another interesting aspect of this breed is that it can only be partially domesticated. Basenji metabolism is different from the metabolism of any other domesticated dog: females have only one cycle per year compared to other domesticated dogs, which have two cycles per year.
Basenji was used by African tribes to play, transport items 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 the sled.
Like the Samoyeds, these dogs also participated in polar expeditions, including the study of Admiral Bird at the South Pole. Alaskan Malamute belongs to three other Arctic breeds, including Siberian Husky, 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. Akita is a very versatile breed. It is used as a police, sled and military dog, as well as a guard or 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 elder brother of the first dog, was transferred to Keller.
After World War II, many US troops brought 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 the original name of its breed was tazi. It was believed that the occurrence afghan hound dates from BC, and 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 deer, wild goats, snow leopards and wolves.
Afghan hounds were first brought to England in 1925, and then to the United States. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1926.