Have you ever wondered where dog breeds come from? Some breeds are evident as their name might imply an origin like the Irish Wolfhound, for example. But not all dog breeds have such prominent names eluding to their roots. In this article, we’ll dive into the most popular breeds and where they come from.
Table of Contents
Origin Of Dogs
Dogs have been around on Earth for as long as us, in one form or another that is. If we consider wolves, foxes and other wild dog relatives around the world, it isn’t so hard to comprehend how our domesticated dogs have evolved over time.
Humans befriended dogs or maybe it was the other way around. I’ve not been able to obtain evidence to suggest one way or another. The likelihood is that it was mankind who made the first moves to domesticate and take advantage of wolves’ natural hunting and fighting abilities. Having a wolf at your side a few thousand years back could potentially have made all the difference in a person’s life.
Dogs Throughout History
If you take a good look at the historical evidence, you’ll find that there was an interaction between humans and dogs as long ago as 36,500 years ago. According to JJ Marks, there was evidence discovered in a cave in Belgium. It supported the relationship between dogs and humans coexisting in harmony at that time. I write about this in more detail in my article A History of Dogs and Humans Relationship by me, Farmer Jer.
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Common Wild Dog Relatives Of The World
As all dogs came from wild canine relatives, I thought it prudent to explore some of the areas where common relatives of dogs exist. The following is a collection of some of the more common wild relatives of our furry friends. I find it interesting when considering where dog breeds come from.
Gray Wolf
Max Weight 43kg
Max height 92 cm
Range:
Red Fox
Max Weight 17 kg
Max Height 50 cm
Range:
Coyote
Max Weight: 34 kg
Max height: 70 cm
Range:
Maned Wolf
Max Weight: 34 kg
Max height: 107 cm
Range:
African Painted Dog
Max Weight: 36 kg
Max height: 75 cm
Range:
Dhole
Max Weight 25 kg
Max Height 56 cm
Range:
Golden Jackal
Max Weight: 31 lbs/14 kg
Max Height: 20 inches/50 cm
Range: South East Europe & Southern Asia
Bibliography
Mark, J. J. (2019, January 14). Dogs in the Ancient World. Ancient History Encyclopedia.
American Kennel Club
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