| Archaeological evidence suggests that dogs had been domesticated by 10,000 BC. Early remains have been found in present-day Denmark and West Germany. One of the most touching discoveries from this period was in Israel where a young puppy was found in a grave alongside the body of its owner. The keeping of dogs appears to have developed rapidly worldwide. Dogs were to be found in North America in about 5,000 BC, having been introduced by the early settlers from Asia. At first, domestic dogs appear to have been quite uniform in appearance and lacked the exaggerated traits associated with the various contemporary breeds. As civilization proceeded, dogs began to evolve to perform functions in the community. Some were used to work with stock, while others served as guards. the deliberate selective breeding of dogs to develop a particularly physical type considered ideal for the breed concerned in a recent trend. It began about 150 years ago. Today there are at least 300 different breeds worldwide-some are not kept for show purposes and remain localized in their distribution. As the evolution of the dog has proceeded, some breeds such as the Ban Dog have disappeared and new breeds will undoubtedly emerge. All of today's breeds are descended from the wolf, which formerly had a much wider distribution than today. Studies have revealed a close similarity between the skeletal structure of smaller wolves and the early domesticated dogs. Detailed comparative behavioral studies have shown very close links between these two groups of canids. Differences occur solely in hunting routines, in which domestic dogs are not normally involved. Some suggest that dogs could be descended from the Golden Jackal. These jackals are scavengers and often live close to human settlements and are relatively small in size. It has also been proposed that wild canid, which is now extinct, might have been the direct ancestor of domestic dog. There is no firm evidence available to support this view, and it now seems certain that the smaller races of wolf gave rise to the wide diversity of domestic dogs that are seen today. Behavioral and instinctive traits, typical of our domesticated dogs, can be traced back to pack hierarchy of wolves. Domestic dogs are thought to have evolved from four basic wolf stocks that lived in different parts of the world. The North American wolf is believed to be the ancestor of the Eskimo Dog-even today these dogs still look much like wolves. The Chinese wolf is thought to be the ancestor of Chows, Toy Spaniels and the Pekingese breeds. The Indian Wolf was probably the ancestor of a large group that includes Greyhounds and Salukis and the European wolf is thought to have given rise to Sheepdogs, Terriers and related breeds. In the past, many dogs may have been similar in general appearance to the way there are today, but they were not then classified in specific breeds. The most significant change in this respect occurred very recently in canine history. As dog shows became fashionable in the late 19th century, the need arose for specific criteria against which individual dogs could be compared and judged. Enthusiasts in Great Britain grouped together in 1873 to form what became known as the Kennel Club. This led directly to the establishment of stud books and set standards for certain dog breeds. It also set basic rules for shows. Similar organizations followed in other countries: the American Kennel Club was formed in 1884 and it's Canadian counterpart in 1888. Nowadays, certain breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog, have become popular throughout the world. Others, however, such as the American coonhounds, remain far more localized, perhaps even restricted to one specific region of a single country. Although many breeds are now kept as pets, irrespective of their origins, most were first used to carry out specific tasks, such as herding, hunting, and guarding. Their temperament, physique, and behavior have developed accordingly. Gundogs, or the AKC's Sporting Group, are dogs that were bred to work closely with people. They are characterized by their responsive nature, and high intelligence. The gundog category includes spaniels, setters, retrievers, and pointers. Working dogs, or the AKC's Working Group, are dogs that have been trained for a wide variety of specific tasks, including pulling sleds across snow and ice. In many countries they are employed to guard property and livestock; in others they are little more than livestock themselves and have been traditionally used to provide food and fur. Companion Dogs, or the AKC's Toy Group and Non Sporting Group, are dogs that are of small size and have gentle nature. The idea of keeping dogs as pets was popularized by the royal courts. Herding Dogs, or the AKC's Herding Group, consists of dogs who have been employed to control the movement of livestock for centuries. They are most commonly used to herd sheep and cattle, but have also been trained to control deer, and even chickens. A good sheepdog possesses an "eye," with which it fixes the sheep, persuading them to move with minimal disturbance. The development of herding dogs has tended to be localized, which is reflective in the diversity of such breeds today. They are active, intelligent dogs with some of the more distinctive coats. Hounds, or the AKC's Hound Group, is possibly the most ancient category of dogs, who were bred to pursue game. It includes the fastest members of the dog family: the elegant sight hounds such as the Greyhound, that run fast after the game. But other hounds, such as the Bloodhound, have been bred for stamina, and these mostly short-coated breeds trail their quarry by scent rather than sight. Terriers, or the AKC's Terrier Group, contains dogs who were mainly developed in Great Britain during the last 100 years. These dogs are small but tenacious. They make first-class rodent killers, and their small size allows them to "go to earth" in pursuit of quarry, such as foxes, driving them out to be chased by hounds. They make personable companions and enjoy exploring their surroundings. For the Love of the Breeds http://www.sidyboysfoolin.com/HistoryOfDogs.html |
|---|