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There is no doubt that dogs have been around for thousands of years, though not always in the form and breed diversity that we are familiar with today. There are several breeds around in today’s world, however, which date all the way back to early human history. These breeds are beloved and have a significant role in many people’s lives, and many of these ancient dog breeds are notable for their hard-working natures and guardian behaviors.
Our article gives you an overview of the oldest dog breeds still around today and details about their appearance and behavior. We will also give you some information on how you can adopt these historical breeds and the types of support that these dogs can give you.
How Far Back In History Do Dogs Go?
Dogs have a significant history of living alongside humans, and archeological research suggests that dogs were the first animals domesticated by humans over 30 thousand years ago; this predates the domestication of horses and animals like sheep.
Dogs are widely known to have descended from wolves, most notably the grey wolf, and it is likely that dogs and humans had a very mutually beneficial relationship historically, with dogs completing certain work and guardian duties, as well as humans benefiting from the protection and companionship dogs provide.
Over the years, dog breeds became more varied, and as humans matured as a civilization, so did dogs. Individuals began the process of developing new breeds and crossbreeding dogs to select for specific traits, something that gave way to a new wave of companion dogs and working dog breeds.
In today’s world, there are numerous different dog breeds that are suitable for service dog work, support animal work and simple companionship. There are also several dog breeds that are relatively unchanged from their ancient ancestors, withstanding the test of time and showing how resilient dogs can be.
Are Dogs Mainly Unchanged Throughout History?
While some dog breeds remain unchanged throughout history, the truth is that many of the dog breeds we know and love today are rather recent, in the grand scheme of human history. However, several of the breeds around today share strong ties to their ancient ancestors and remain relatively unchanged throughout history.
Oldest Dog Breeds From Around the World
The following dog breeds are some of the oldest dog breeds found around the world. These unique pups have a long historical impact on human civilizations, though some of them are rarer for individuals in the United States to encounter today.
Basenji
The Basenji can trace its origins back to indigenous African tribes, with historians speculating that images matching this dog’s appearance found in Egyptian tombs are based on this breed. Basenjis are rarely found outside of Africa and Europe, and they are smaller dogs with a curled tail, upright ears, and a quick wit. These dogs historically had a role as hunters, though they are now known as exemplary agile athletes in dog competitions.
Greenland Sled Dog
Similar in appearance to the Siberian husky, the Greenland sled dog, also known as the Greenland dog, is a medium to large-sized breed that is renowned for its ability to work alongside humans and pull sleds. These dogs are very strong, tough, and hard-working, and they thrive when they are given tasks and able to help their humans outside. Greenland dogs are a rare breed, and they are becoming rare as the years go by due to dwindling breeders and the threat of climate change in colder environments.
Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican hairless dog, is a breed that has at least 5,000 years’ worth of history attached to it. This breed can range in size from small to medium, and they will weigh between 10 and 55 pounds depending on the specific genetic lineage of the dog. Even though this breed is known as a ‘hairless’ dog, Xoloitzcuintli can be born with a coat of fur; both hairless and fur-covered pups can even be born within the same litter.
Pugs
Pugs are one of today’s most beloved breeds, and they can be traced back to around 400 B.C. in China. These dogs were initially bred as companion animals for royal families. Over the years, a flatter-faced appearance in pugs was preferred, but this is quickly being replaced with the sentiment of breeding pugs for better health and ability to breathe. Today, pugs are still very much companion dogs, and they light up many people’s lives with their bright behavior.
Saluki
The Saluki dog breed has a 7,000-year history, and these dogs originated in the Fertile Crescent, an area that is now more well-known in several countries in the Middle East. Salukis are thought to be the ancient dogs of pharaohs, and these dogs were most likely used for hunting by nomadic tribes. Salukis are known today as a type of sighthound.
Afghan Hound
Most notable for its long, silk, and straight coat, the Afghan hound, also called the Afghan, is an incredibly skilled hunter. These dogs were historically used for hunting game, and you can trace their history back to other sighthounds that originated in the ancient Middle East. Today, Afghan hounds are rarely used for hunting game, but they do have high prey drives and tend to do well when they are given jobs alongside their owners.
Tibetan Terrier
The Tibetan terrier has been around for at least 2,000 years, historically raised in Tibetan monasteries. This dog has a long, shaggy coat when it is allowed to grow out, and their main role historically was retrieving items, companionship, and acting as watchdogs. These dogs have a generally sociable disposition, and they are becoming somewhat more popular within the United States. The Tibetan terrier has contributed genetically to other old dog breeds, such as the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu.
Shar-Pei
Shar-Peis, known for their wrinkly appearance, have been around since at least 200 B.C.; archeologists in China have found statues bearing a resemblance to these dogs, and these dogs have a strong history in the area of acting as guard dogs. Today, the Shar-Pei are very devoted dogs, and they can be found worldwide. However, these dogs have a very stubborn streak, and they are recommended for experienced dog owners due to their willful natures and the complexity of training them.
You can expect your Shar-Pei to form a strong bond with you but don’t expect them to be overly affectionate and loving.
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu is a type of spitz breed dog originating in Japan. The history of this breed goes back at least 1,000 years, and this dog has a very similar resemblance to other popular Japanese spitz breeds, such as the Shiba Inu. Akita Inus are beloved dogs, but experienced owners are best at training them as these dogs can be quite aggressive to other dogs, and they need a firm training hand to keep in line.
Akita Inus are intelligent and courageous, and they are best when completing hunting and guarding tasks.
Mastiffs
The mastiff is a very ancient breed that has several different ancestors today, but the original mastiff is thought to be the Old English mastiff. This dog can trace its origins back to the Roman invasion of Britain around 55-54 BCE. Mastiffs are very large dogs, though, despite their size, they tend to be on the calmer side. Many individuals adopt mastiffs as guardians, watchdogs, and family companions.
Alaskan Malamute
One of the oldest sled dog breeds in the Arctic, the Alaskan Malamute, has a history that is almost 4,000 years old. These dogs are commonly utilized as sled dogs today, and this breed has a notable amount of strength and endurance. Alaskan Malamutes are more commonly seen as family companions today, but they are not a good choice for homes with young children due to their large size and intense exercise needs.
Chow Chows
The Chow Chow is a Chinese breed that dates back to 206 BCE. These dogs have genetics that are very similar to the wolf, and they were initially kept as hunting, herding, and protection dogs. Chow Chows are generally thought of as one of the most difficult dog breeds to own due to their high prey drive, stubborn streak, and need for firm training. Only experienced owners who are able to give this dog a complete exercise regime and respect their dog should get a chow chow.
Where Can I Adopt an Old Dog Breed?
If you are interested in adopting one of these old dog breeds, you’ll have to do some careful research on where these dogs live, and which breeders might be raising these dogs in the United States.
The breeds on our list are worldwide, and some of them, such as the Basenji and the Xoloitzcuintli, are rarely available within the United States. Other dogs, such as the Greenland Sled Dog, are difficult to purchase from a breeder, or they are hard to find in the United States, such as the Saluki.
That being said, the first step to adopting one of these notable old dog breeds is to search local rescues, then national rescues. You can find breeders, rescues dedicated to preserving the breed, and even worldwide connections that can help you adopt the dog of your dreams.
Keep in mind before adopting one of these old dog breeds that you should carefully research their care needs and what it takes to help these pups thrive. Many of these breeds on our list have complex care needs and generally do better as working dogs, or they may require the care of a more experienced dog owner.
Are Old Dog Breeds Suitable For Service Dog Work?
Many of the old dog breeds on our list are perfect for service dog work, as they are large enough to provide guidance and mobility support, intelligent enough to learn complex tasks, and eager to please their owners when it comes to completing tasks and working alongside them daily.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind a dog’s specific temperament, as some dogs are more stubborn or more prone to chasing prey, making them bad choices for service dog work. From our list above, chow chows are a notoriously difficult breed to work with, and they may be too independent and set in their guardian dog ways to act as service dogs.
Other breeds, such as the Greenland Sled Dog and the Xoloitzcuintli, might be too rare to adopt within the United States and difficult to work with, as their potential for service dog work is unknown.
Can I Keep an Old Dog Breed as a Support Animal?
It’s totally possible to adopt one of these oldest dog breeds and have them registered as a valid emotional support animal. After all, an emotional support animal can be any animal and any breed of dog, as long as a licensed mental healthcare provider prescribes them, and they help you manage the symptoms of your disability or mental health condition.
In general, when adopting one of these ancient dog breeds to act as your emotional support animal, you should make sure that they are well-suited to the task of comforting you. Many of these dogs are working breeds, and they have extensive exercise and training needs in order to stay happy. If you can accomplish this and still gain the supportive benefits of your emotional support animal, then one of these breeds is the perfect addition to your family.
Finding the Right Ancient Dog Breed For You
Some of the oldest dog breeds in the world are also some of the most hard-working, loyal, and affectionate pups around. The old dog breeds we have listed in our article are the perfect additions to your family, and they have a long history of working and acting as companions to humans.
If you want to adopt one of the oldest dog breeds around, check local shelters and rescues first before looking for a reputable breeder to help you find the right ancient dog breed for you.