🐺 12 Oldest Dog Breeds 🐺 What Wolf Descendants Look Like 🐺
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Here are 12 dog breeds that have the greatest genetic similarity to wild wolves.
So, who are the oldest representatives of the diverse canine world?
🐺 Akita Inu – 10,000 years old.
For a long time, the Akita has held the title of oldest dog breed in the world.
The results of archaeological research confirm the breed's antiquity. Dog remains found at the Kamikuroiwa rock shelter in Ehime date back to the Jomon period, traditionally dated between 14,000 and 300 BC.
🐺 Greenland Sled Dog – 9,500 years old.
The Greenland Sled Dog is one of the oldest and rarest breeds. It is theorized that these dogs were created by crossing an Arctic wolf and a dog. Greenland dogs are stronger and more resilient, thriving in cold temperatures. Although they are sled dogs, they are also excellent hunters of deer, walrus, and bear.
🐺 Afghan Hound – 8,000 years old.
While many believe the Afghan Hound originated in the deserts of Egypt, its name suggests otherwise. A more realistic theory is that they were bred by the nomadic people of Afghanistan and neighboring regions. Fast and powerful, like any other sighthound breed, the Afghan Hound was originally used to hunt game, including antelope and, according to some, leopards.
🐺 Greyhound – 8,000 years old
The Greyhound is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. It is closely related to the sighthounds depicted in temple paintings dating back to 6000 BC, discovered in what is now Turkey. While some are convinced that the dog depicted on graves and tomb paintings was actually a sighthound, others believe it has more in common with the Basenji or Saluki.
🐺 Basenji – 5,000 years old
Like greyhounds, Basenjis are believed to be related to the dogs of Ancient Egypt, although some argue they originated in Africa. The first traces of Basenji-like dogs were found in Egyptian tombs. Even in the tomb next to the sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, mummified dogs resembling Basenjis, wrapped in precious fabrics and wearing collars made of precious stones, were found.
🐺 Tibetan Mastiff – 5,000 years old.
Mastiffs of all types have existed for thousands of years, but the Tibetan is considered the oldest. The Mastiff is one of the oldest dog breeds and is believed to have descended from the war dogs of ancient Rome, although there is little genetic evidence to support this theory. However, they do bear some resemblance to the legendary Molossian dogs, which Aristotle described as larger than other dogs and more ferocious in attacks on wild animals.
🐺 Saluki – 5,000 years old.
It is commonly believed that the Saluki is the oldest dog breed. While new research may refute this claim, its ancient origins are undeniable. Archaeologists have discovered a gold pendant depicting a Saluki dating back to 3300 BC, and mummified Saluki remains have been found in ancient tombs in the Upper Nile region.
🐺 Alaskan Malamute – 3,000 years old.
Thousands of years ago, the ancestors of the Alaskan Malamute migrated from Siberia to Alaska, where they developed into the breed we know today. Used for sledding, seal hunting, and protection from polar bears, the Alaskan Malamute was highly prized. Its name comes from the Inuit people, the Malemiut, who inhabited northwest Alaska.
🐺 Chow Chow – 2,000 to 3,000 years old.
The familiar Chow Chow originated in China, although the breed's true origins are unknown. It is believed they were bred as guard dogs and as a culinary delicacy. Some even say the name Chow Chow comes from the Chinese word "chow," meaning "edible." Depictions of the breed have been found on sculptures and Chinese ceramics dating back to the Hong Dynasty (206 BC – 22 AD).
🐺 Lhasa Apso – 2,000 years old.
A dog breed developed in Tibet. Monks considered the Lhasa Apso a talisman capable of warning of impending danger. They were used as guard dogs in temples and monasteries. The people of Tibet held these small dogs in high esteem: it was believed that lamas were reincarnated in them.
🐺 Tibetan Terrier – 2,000 years old.
The Tibetan Terrier is an ancient breed of small herding dogs with a luxurious coat and an independent nature. It originated in the remote Himalayan Mountains over 2,000 years ago. This dog gave rise to breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and Tibetan Spaniel.
The Tibetan Terrier, known as the Holy Dog of Tibet, has served Tibetan monks for centuries, acting as a companion, guard dog, and good luck charm. It is even said that when the Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet, he took his beloved Tibetan Terrier, Senge, with him.
🐺 Pekingese – 2,000 years old.
There's more to this small, fluffy breed than meets the eye, and Pekingese were once revered by royalty as the ideal lapdog and companion.