Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Doodle dogs, and other breeds are common in the modern world of dogs. But do you know that other dog breeds existed before the ones you know? Some dog breeds are more extinct now than you might imagine. Some dog breeds are disappearing from Mother Earth due to different factors, such as changes in human interests, fashion, and environmental factors. This article explores some of the world’s unique dog breeds that are non-existent now. Here are the eight extinct dog breeds you’ve got to see to believe.
English White Terrier
The English White Terrier was also known as the Old English Terrier, and it was originally bred in Britain. Although the history of this breed is murky, the dogs were very popular during the 18th century. During this period, the breeders were interested in developing the best breeds that would feature in the show ring. One way of achieving this was to present a rare breed together with other pre-existing breeds that would be displayed in dog shows.
However, the English White Terrier was not a big success in the show ring despite its ancestral origins. As a result, many people gradually lost interest in breeding this kind of dog. The legacy of this dog still exists in other breeds despite it being extinct now. For example, the English White Terriers were developed into other breeds like Jack Russell Terrier, Fox Terrier, the Boston Terrier, the Sealyham Terrier, and the Rat Terrier. These dogs look like foxes. The English White Terrier had genetic problems that did not bode well with the members of the public, which led to its extinction.
Talbot Water Dog
Talbot Water Dogs originated in England, Normandy, and they existed during the time of William the Conqueror. These dogs were popular for hunting, and they accompanied human beings on crucial trips. They were also featured in ancient paintings since they played a great role in human life. However, many people lost interest in the Talbots because more efficient hunting dogs were later introduced. Although the Talbot breed is believed to be extinct, its ancestors have continued to roam the earth as a unique breed. The descendants of the Talbort include Bloodhound and Beagle.
St. John’s Water Dog
The St. John’s Water breed was originally bred as early as the 16th century in Newfoundland. These dogs were renowned for their outstanding retrieval skills and docile nature. The St. John’s Water Dogs are the ancestors of the Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, which are popular domestic dog breeds to date. However, the heavy taxes imposed on dog owners in Newfoundland led to the extinction of the St. John’s Water breed. On the other hand, the introduction of long-term quarantines in Britain on all imported dogs to eradicate rabies contributed to the extinction of this breed. Although this breed is believed to be extinct, there are several black dogs with similar characteristics to St. John’s Dog.
Tweed Water Spaniel
Tweed Water Spaniel was popular in the British countryside, and the dogs were named after Berwick near the River Tweed and the Scottish Border. The dogs were originally bred as water dogs since they lived comfortably near rivers. They assisted people in hunting activities. Unfortunately, the Tweed Water Spaniel went extinct in the 19th century as a result of cross-breeding, which led to the emergency of retriever dogs.
Alpine Mastiff
The gigantic size of the Alpine Mastiff dog made them popular during the 19th century in England. This breed was one of the first giant breeds believed to be created by humans. They were specifically created for dog enthusiasts and displayed on show in the 19th century. The Alpine Mastiff is believed to share similar origins with today’s popular Bernards although they do not belong to the same breed. This breed has a legacy spanning hundreds of years beginning in the Swiss and Italian Alps. However, these giant dogs disappeared as a result of cross-breeding with equally other large dogs from various breeds.
Salish Wool Dog
Salish Wool dogs were small and they have a long history in America. They were also known as the Comox Dog in British Colombia and Washington State, and they accompanied humans on their expeditions. The dogs are believed to be the first breed to be farmed by humans in North America. The pups had wool-like fur, and they were sheared every summer. The dogs were kept in separate places from other village dogs to preserve their fur, which was used for blanket weaving. Due to the improved accessibility of cheap sheep wool and crossbreeding, the Salish Wool Dog disappeared in the early 20th century.
Welsh Hillman
The Welsh Hillman as the name suggests, was originally bred on the Wales hills. The dogs were used to herd livestock and were believed to be the oldest Welsh breed to perform such tasks. These dogs were popular because they accompanied humans wherever they went and helped protect livestock. Although the breed is no longer visible, it is believed that they can be genetically traced to the crossbreed sheep dogs found in Wales today.
Hawaiian Poi Dog
People in pre-colonized Hawaii bred these dogs for food. Their name originated from the food they consumed. While most modern dogs are carnivores, the beautiful Hawaiian pups were fed poi, a substance derived from the taro plant. Many dog lovers believe their dogs need to eat meat to stay healthy and happy. The problem with the poi diet for the Hawaiian dog led to several health problems and malnutrition. This challenge coupled with crossbreeding, the original Poi dogs gradually disappeared.
If you’re a dog enthusiast, you should be able to trace the ancestry or origin of your dog. In some cases, the original breeds are extinct, and we’re left with crossbreeds. However, some ancient dog breeds have disappeared including ding the above species.