Image from Craig_Pemberton

Native to the island of Honshu in the region of Akita, Japan this breed has remained unchanged for centuries. Meet another member of the ancient dog breeds of the world.

The History

This breed is considered the national dog of Japan and is one of the 7 ancient breeds that is also a National Monument. Considered a symbol of luck, the Akita is used for a variety of purposes in Japan.

There are two types of Akita animals, the original Japanese breed and the newer American Akita which is a US variation of the original.

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Image from ladymier

Perhaps the most elegant of the dog breeds, the Afghan Hound is definitely one of the most recognizable. Their lineage dates back thousands of years and they are the first ancient dog breed we’ll be sharing.

The History

The Afghan dogs are native to Sinai and are referenced to in Egyptian & Afghanistan accounts from over 4000 years ago. Their slender, noble nose is clearly reminiscent of Anubis himself.

These animals were highly prized so their lineage was kept relatively pure and their export was highly prohibited for centuries.

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Domestic dog breeds are descendants of the mighty Grey Wolf that we’ve domesticated & started breeding for specific characteristics.

There are a myriad of dog breeds & types in the modern world, however there are a few of the ancients still around. In 2004 14 breeds were identified through genetic research as having bloodlines closest to the grey wolf. These animals are thought to come from the earliest domesticated members of the canine family.

In the coming weeks we’ll take a closer look at each one of these ancient breeds with pictures & interesting facts.

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Whether you are a professional dog groomer, a breeder or simply a dog owner, knowing basic terminology is always a good thing.

We’ve come across miles of terminology with regards to our canine friends and have been sharing it in smaller, more targeted batches.

If you haven’t already, go check out basic, head & face & dog hair terminology.

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You’ve met the big dogs, now it’s time to meet the tiny ones, here are ten of the smallest dog breeds in the world

Interestingly enough most of these little guys used to be bigger and over the years selective breeding has made them smaller & smaller.

Also called Monkey Dog because of their monkey-like face & inherent curiosity, this breed was throught to have originated in Germany. Originally larger animals used to catch rats, during the 18th & 19th centuries they were bred smaller as companion animals.
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