The most ancient dog breeds: TOP of the first breeds with photos

Victor Sergin “Nature” No. 11, 2019

about the author

Viktor Yakovlevich Sergin

- Doctor of Historical Sciences, leading researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Area of scientific interests: settlements of the Paleolithic era, the relationship between man and the natural environment.

How did a person acquire a loyal friend and helper? According to a popular belief, in ancient times, in conditions of competition, packs of the least timid wolves gradually switched to feeding on garbage near human dwellings. Predators interested in a convenient niche became less dangerous to people. Friendly individuals came into contact with people. Sometimes people took puppies, and the wolf cubs that grew up among people considered them members of their pack. The connections were strengthened, and after some time the selection of more accommodating individuals could already occur.

One of the weaknesses of the existing ideas about the domestication of the wolf is the lack of certainty regarding the time and place of the process. And these characteristics were not formal coordinates.

Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the most ancient dog breeds. These animals are similar to wolves not only in appearance, but also in habits. For example, they cannot bark, and they can also quickly dig large holes. As you can guess from the name, this breed originated in Alaska.

There, dogs were not treated well, using them as mounts. Ultimately, people overworked the animals to such an extent that they almost exterminated the species. The situation was saved by a dangerous epidemic, during the raging of which an Alaskan Malamute brought medicine to a remote village, which became salvation for its inhabitants.

Brief general description

The dog (written in Latin - canis lupus familiaris) is one of the most popular domestic animals; regarding its origin, the most likely ancestor is the wolf or jackal. To prove its origin from a wolf, scientists cite the results of their work, based on a comparison of chromosomes and the molecular genetic mechanism.

This mammal belongs to the order of carnivores of the canine family, and according to archaeological expeditions, as well as rock carvings, it is considered one of the most ancient animals in the world.

Anthropologists say that at first the animals were used as guards, but their hunting skills became the main reason for domestication.

Experts at the University of California, during a genetic analysis, were able to prove that more than 135,000 years ago, the wolf-progenitor of today's pets separated from a pack of wolves. In 2015, geneticists from Sweden, after conducting a thorough analysis of the animals, began to argue that approximately 33,000 years ago there was a transition to an independent species from wolves.

Xoloitzcuintle

The Mexican Hairless is considered the very first breed of dog in the world. There is no exact version of the origin of this species, but it is known that the Xoloitzcuintle appeared approximately several thousand years ago in Central America and Mexico. These individuals were faithful companions of the Indians of many tribes, who considered them sacred animals.

Note: in times of famine, dogs could be used as food.

The peculiarity of the Xoloitzcuintle is their character. These dogs tend to consider one person as their owner, but they also treat other family members with trepidation. Mexican Hairless are unsurpassed guards, able to anticipate the appearance of uninvited guests long before their arrival. This, by the way, determines the myths according to which the described breed is prone to displaying supernatural abilities.

When did dogs appear?

There are several theories that try to explain how canids appeared. It is known that they had a common ancestor, now extinct, and during the course of evolution the branch was divided into several directions, among which dogs and wolves stood out. The first decided to live near human habitation, taking advantage of the pros and cons of domestication.

Adorable “lion cubs”, representatives of the Shih Tzu breed, are considered one of the oldest breeds in the world

For your information! Gradually, natural selection allowed the emergence of a huge number of different breeds, including large, medium and small.

There is also a polyphyletic hypothesis, according to which different breeds had different ancestors. The exact time of the appearance of dogs is unknown; scientists believe that domestication began during the Early Stone Age, therefore, the appearance was even earlier.

Saluki

Images of dogs of this breed are found throughout the Middle East. The Saluki is one of the oldest dog breeds, and for good reason: its first mention dates back to 3500 BC. Increased shaggyness of the tail and ears, elegance and grace are the main features of the Persian greyhound.

The average height of a Saluki is 64 cm at the withers. At the same time, individuals weigh no more than 30 kilograms. The reason for this factor lies in the genetics of dogs: they were bred for hunting. Therefore, Persian greyhounds are capable of reaching speeds of up to 75 km/h, maintaining it for an hour. Elegance makes the Saluki an elite breed: in Arab countries, individuals can be more expensive than proud horses.

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Basenji

When talking about the most ancient dog breeds, one cannot fail to mention the Basenji. Animals of this species have an extremely surprising feature - they do not bark. Hypoallergenic wool and cleanliness are the main factors that pet lovers pay attention to.

For several centuries, the Basenji provided assistance to African tribes by obtaining food for them. This dog was treated as a sacred animal, providing it with comfortable conditions. The pygmies, in turn, hung rattles on the dogs’ necks, useful for hunting. When the game was driven into a corner, the products emitted a signal, notifying the hunters' owners about the location of the dog. Excavations in Egyptian lands have shown that Basenjis were popular during the times of the pharaohs, and this factor only confirms the theory of their ancient origin.

How to “tame” a person!

0
The whole complex of problems of the “first step” in domestication led most researchers to the idea that it was not done by humans. The wolves themselves, who lived close to the Paleolithic hunters, gradually got used to not attacking the hens that laid the golden eggs. By following wandering human groups and eating the remains of the animals they killed, they could become specialized companions of primitive people. This scheme successfully solves the issue of feeding wolf cubs and wolf aggression towards the weak: focusing on older relatives, wolf cubs avoided attacks on primate cubs, perceiving them as a kind of part of the pack. Not so long ago, the specific mechanisms by which dogs “tamed” people became clear. Japanese researchers led by Miho Nagasawa found that dogs, by looking into people's eyes and spending more time with them, significantly increase the level of oxytocin in a person's blood, simultaneously increasing its level in themselves. Oxytocin, sometimes simplistically referred to as the “love hormone,” is commonly used by members of the same species to deepen bonds between individuals. In the case of humans, mother and child, looking at each other, also synchronously increase the level of this hormone, and the more time they spend together, the stronger their bond. However, before this work, it was unknown that representatives of some other species are able to evoke an oxytocin response in humans. Obviously, it is this ability of dogs that makes it easier for them to integrate into human society. This behavior of dogs looking into their owner's eyes on their own initiative is to some extent human manipulation, and, according to Nagasawa's group, is not characteristic of wolf cubs raised among people. By the way, the latter themselves do not experience an increase in oxytocin when a person looks at them. They often interpret eye-to-eye gaze like wild wolves, for whom this is a sign of aggression, in response to which the animal, as a rule, looks away.

Akita Inu

This is one of the oldest dog breeds that originated in Japan. Akita Inus are valued for their good-natured nature and loyalty. It is noteworthy that individuals of this breed are very stubborn, so not all owners manage to get along with the animals. Nevertheless, having made friends with a dog, a person receives a devoted and reliable friend.

In ancient times, the Akita Inu was a revered breed. In Japan, special clubs were even created - it was in them that passports first appeared, which are now issued to all pet owners. Appearing more than 4 thousand years ago, Asian dogs played a big role in the development of humanity. You need to pay attention to the events of World War II, in which Akita Inus played a greater role than even German shepherds.

Feeding

— My first serious mistake was an incorrect diet . Because I knew nothing about dogs, I fed Jack incorrectly from the first days. I immediately started giving her natural food in large quantities. I wanted the best, but it turned out...

And I fed the poor animal until it got sick. He had already stopped eating and after some time he could not get up on his paws. The baby constantly whined, screamed, and soon could not walk at all. He was 2 months old at that time, i.e. Two weeks of poor nutrition was enough to almost kill the animal.

Sad Jack is placed in an aviary due to illness

They took Jack to the vet. clinic where they did the x-ray. I found out that his periosteum was not forming, since he gave him a lot of meat and the protein began to wash calcium out of the body. Because of this, the bones were soft and the paws were very painful. We were prescribed a very strict diet, put on special food and kept in an enclosure for two months - that is, we were completely limited in our movements.

Eyes full of hope

Of course it became sad, since this is the time when the puppy runs a lot, plays and develops physically. But here he was sitting in an enclosure, which I got on Avito for only 1 thousand rubles.

Important! The most important thing is to watch the diet, give vitamins, and, no matter how much you want, do not overfeed the dog. The liver and bones suffer from this, especially in puppies during the growth period.

A difficult path to recovery:
2 months of enclosure, vaccinations and Jack started walking. Since our dog is a mongrel (a crossbreed between a shepherd and someone else), only three days were enough for him to understand that all work needs to be done outside. A very smart dog.

— What special food should a puppy have?

— Regular dry food, dosages are prescribed on the package. Or there are formulas by which nutrition is calculated. For example, my one and a half year old dog now weighs 40 kg, he gets two meals a day. For one feeding he receives 400 grams of meat and offal, 400 grams. porridge and 150-200 grams of vegetables. That is, the meat is 1/100 of the dog’s weight. He only eats buckwheat or rice; he doesn’t like other types of porridge.

— What to feed an adult dog?

Under no circumstances should a dog be fed pork - this has a bad effect on the liver and joints - the animal gets sick and dies earlier. Only beef - trimmings, cheeks, offal... As for the bones - also only beef, but in no case ribs. You can only give chicken the neck, because the bones in it are soft. It is necessary to exclude tubular bones from poultry.

— Why are chicken tubular bones and beef ribs dangerous?

“They can crack in half, creating sharp ends that dig into the intestines. Internal bleeding begins and urgent surgery is required. This is not only expensive, but also very difficult for the dog to tolerate. Who needs this? It's easier not to feed dangerous foods. Do you want to please with a bone? The best is beef backbone or knuckles . It is not only tasty, but also healthy, especially for the health of your pet's joints.

- Can I give you fish?

— The best fish in a dog’s diet is navaga. This is an inexpensive sea fish and its bones are quite soft and will not stick anywhere. I divide the fish into 2-3 parts, boil it, not even always separating it from the bones.

If your dog is on a natural diet, then remember an important point . Be sure to give her tripe - the first stomach of a cow. Although it smells unpleasant, it contains many useful microelements and vitamins for the animal. Your dog won't get them anywhere else. Give it raw, just crumble it into food. With this diet, the animal will stop picking up anything on the street and will be healthy and active.

Jack is half a year old
- Yes, I was surprised by this moment in Jack’s behavior. He never picked up anything on the street, and when we grilled and ate barbecue all evening, he remained calm, not even begging. I thought that the dog would be sick of the smell of meat, but he pleasantly surprised me with his complete indifference.

— Our dog is also accustomed to the fact that when we eat, he needs to leave the kitchen. True, at your dacha he didn’t know where to go, so he just lay in the corner, pretending that he wasn’t there.

Important! If your dog is on a natural diet, then 2 times a year it is necessary to take a course of vitamins.

Tibetan mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the most ancient dog breeds in the world. The peculiarity of these animals is their large size and endurance. But external factors are not all that mastiffs can boast of: intelligence and disinclination to aggression make these dogs loyal and intelligent friends.

Please note: Tibetan mastiffs have preserved their purebred due to the isolation of their habitats.

On the one hand, dogs were separated from the whole world by the Himalayas, and on the other by deserts. According to legends, commanders took Tibetan mastiffs on long campaigns. In addition, this breed was popular as guards at the courts of Genghis Khan and Osman II. The dog, mentioned by Aristotle, is the right choice for lovers of large animals.

Read a full description of the Tibetan Mastiff breed here.

Siberian Husky

This is an original dog breed, also native to Siberia. Siberian Huskies are medium-sized dogs similar to the Spitz. At the same time, they are very similar to the American Alaskan Malamute breed, but are much smaller, more gentle and do not have a tail curled at the back (the tail is straight or only slightly curled).

The Siberian Husky originally worked only as a sled dog, but they are now also companion dogs and participate in sled dog racing.

Pekingese

Now everyone knows the Pekingese, but in ancient times this breed of dog was available only to aristocrats. In Ancient China, it was believed that these animals combined the characters of a proud monkey and a brave lion. Therefore, attempts to steal a Pekingese 2 thousand years ago were punishable by death.

The presence of hunting skills, endurance and courageous character do not fit in with the ancient breed, given the miniature physique of its individuals. This is a rare case when short stature is an advantage of an animal.

Darwin's research

Where did cats come from and who did they come from?

The world-famous scientist Charles Darwin, who devoted his life to questions of origin and natural selection, in 1859, in his book “The Origin of Species,” outlined his theory of where modern dogs came from. Traveling a lot, he noticed that man’s four-legged friend looked like a wild animal living in the area. So, in one territory a domestic dog looks similar to the foxes living there, in another - like coyotes, in a third - like wolves.

Possible ancestors

Important! But to be based only on Darwin's research today is irrational. After all, the scientist could not know much, since at that time systematics and history were not sufficiently developed to draw meaningful conclusions.

Scientists all over the world and at all times have sought to answer the question of where dogs came from and have expressed many theories. However, the question of how dogs appeared has not yet been fully studied. And the final point in these studies has not been set.

Samoyed husky

This dog has a number of features that distinguish it from other animals. There are also many areas in which this breed can help. It's been 3,000 years since Samoyeds were used as mounts, and people now keep them as pets. Participation in exhibitions, protection of territories and friendliness towards the owner make Samoyeds popular.

Interesting fact: the Samoyed dog protected people from danger and kept them warm in cold times.

Samoyeds belong to the Spitz group - evidence of this is their thick fur and ring-shaped tail. In addition, it is worth noting their malleable nature, which allows you to teach the animal many useful skills.

Cluster of the earliest breeds - DNA analysis

Which breeds are older than others? Scientists from the USA found this out in 2004 using DNA analysis. The results were largely unexpected. Ideas about the antiquity of many breeds have changed, and others, traditionally considered different, turned out to be subspecies (for example, Alaskan Malamute and Husky).

The breeds were divided into 4 clusters - the oldest is the first, which includes:

According to studies based on DNA analysis, the Middle Eastern Saluki greyhound is older than all other breeds.

Pug

The history of these animals, which claim to be the oldest dog breed, is surrounded by numerous myths and legends. Similar dogs existed back in the 5th century BC. According to experts, the extraordinary appearance of these dogs is a consequence of close inbreeding, since they did not leave the kennels of the Chinese emperors for a long time.

Pugs are small creatures, growing up to 30.5 cm at the withers and weighing no more than 8.1 kg. They are easily identified by their rounded head with a high forehead, expressive eyes and a short, flattened muzzle. The compact body of such a dog is covered with smooth fur of silver, beige, apricot or black color.

Where?

In the already mentioned work [], the Ural-Himalaya line is taken as the border between the western and eastern parts of Eurasia. Behind it, dogs have the greatest genetic diversity, and 88% of dogs are classified into the characteristic eastern clades A and B. Further development of the hypothesis of the eastern origin of dogs was proposed by large research groups. One of them localized the focus of domestication in the region south of the river. Yangtze and considered it the only one for all dogs []. The most ancient find, according to the authors, dates back to 7.1 thousand years, and genetic calculations place the time of the appearance of dogs in a vague framework of 16.3–5.4 thousand years.

According to more complete data, in the provinces of Southeast China (mainly the basin of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River), the earliest dogs are dated in the range of 7.4–4.2 thousand years. Only in Zhenjiang province are they older - up to 8.2–7.0 thousand years. The maximum dating of finds in the Eastern and North-Eastern regions is close to them. In the Central and Western regions they reach up to 9 thousand years []. In Northern China, the remains of a dog are dated to about 10 thousand years ago, but bone measurements have not been published [].