Dog breeds – where do they come from?

About 9000 years ago, people started to selectively breed dogs to suit them for different purposes, although bond between human and dog lasted much longer (some geneticists claim it is over 100000 years old bond). Some were guard dogs to help people fighting wolves and bears. Some were hunting dogs, herding dogs and so on. How we know this? Marked distinctions in the sizes and shapes of domesticated dogs were visible in archaeological findings older more than 9000 years. Climate was also important factor in selecting a breed. People didn't have use for a dog shaking in cold, and also couldn't use a dog drinking all their water in hot regions. So they were selecting dogs which adapted to specific expectations. Some dog breeds are very old, and they haven't changed much for thousands of years because their adaptation made them useful and their genes remained throughout entire history. But they haven't been classified into breeds. That came much later with the start of a dog show. How have the people domesticated a dog? There are several theories on that. Many researchers supposed that these early dogs were descendants of tamed wolves, which interbred and evolved into a domesticated species. Other scientists suspected that jackals or coyotes contributed to the dog's ancestry. The researchers analyzed DNA from 162 wolves representing 27 populations in Europe, Asia, and North America . The results were compared with DNA from 140 dogs representing 67 breeds around the world -- from the African basenji to the Irish wolfhound. The new genetic study was unable to resolve the question of the dog's geographic origin, says Carles Vilà of UCLA, but it did rule out as the dog's ancestor all canine species other than the wolf. So the conclusion was that wolf is genetic predecessor of today dogs. But how did wolves, which live in tightly commanded pack come to live with the people? One theory is based on omega individual in the pack approached people for food. Such omega individual is the weakest, but often the smartest animal in the pack. It is always on the guard, but eats as the last. Even though other animals leave it food, it is usually not enough. It was suspected that such omega individual approached early human's habitat looking for food remains and bones. People realized very soon the fact that other animals like rats, foxes and some wild cats, kept away while wolf was near. That was something that could be of use. So they started to leave much more food for the repeatedly coming wolf. Until at some point the wolf left his pack and remained with the people. Some thought this theory was outrageous, but rangers and other people who work in forests often make positive contacts with lonely wolves. Some people even managed to tame one right out of the wild. It is never like dog, but it is not hostile. And that happened in one generation. Now think what would happen if people are in close contact with wolves for several generations?

Here is the listing of generally accepted breeds and some which are discussed at the moment of writing. Be aware that there are lots of them, and it will be quite long until we write all the information we have on them. Link on the name will be available as the information is written.

You can find information about specific breed by clicking on the name of the breed. If there is too much information you can sort them out alphabetically, by Group, or by country of origin.