Australia: Australian Cattle Dog
This breed from the outback has a history, tracing back to the now-extinct black bobtail, a slow, clumsy Australian herder. Once it was bred with the more agile, sheepdog-like Australian kelpie, the dalmatian, the Smithfield, and the dingo, among others, its shepherding skills were much improved.
Britain: English Springer Spaniel
A beloved pet and hunting dog, these dogs were bred to "spring" from cover and rouse prey so that the spaniels' masters could strike. "Springing spaniels" are in an ancient category of dogs that is believed to have originated in Spain, but those such breeds are now extinct.
Canada: Newfoundland
Gentle but gigantic, these sweet and loving dogs were bred in the rugged conditions of eastern Canada, where it is rightly known as a champion work and rescue dog. In 1919, one such dog famously pulled 20 shipwrecked sailors to safety in a lifeboat.
China: Shar-Pei
This breed’s name translates to "rough, sandy coat”. It is a native to the small village called Tai Li, in China's Kwantung Province. The breed has existed in southern China since at least the beginning of the Han Dynasty (c. 200 B.C.E).
Germany: Dachshund
In its native Germany, "dachshund" means "badger dog." The modern dachshund derives from the oldest breeds of German hunting dogs and, despite its size, is just as fearless and fierce while hunting badgers as its ancestors.
Japan: Japanese Chin
With its flat face, and sharing a common ancestor with other similar regional dogs, like the Pekingese and the pug, these small dogs stop growing at eight to ten inches. These toy dogs were once so revered that they commanded their own staffs of servants in the Japanese court, who, among other things, would fan them in hot weather.
Russia: Borzoi
The borzoi has been known in Russia since at least the 17th century, when it was the favored breed of the Tsar. It is said to have originated from a cross between a greyhound-type dog and a wolfhound. The result was a dog that was made for speed, a debt attributed to its aerodynamic face, and well suited to cold weather, with its beautiful full coat.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Got a comment? Got a question? We'd love to hear it!