Many of us embrace the qualities of our four legged friends, and yet know nothing of their history. So after some deep research, Paddington Pups has summarised the origin of canines into one article for our Paddington Pups parents!
Although we call them ‘man’s best friend’, we still haven’t been properly dated back to when our fun and fury friendship first began. Most scientists can date it back to early Europe around 6000BC, as the first animal to be domesticated by our race. It is also unknown where domestic dogs came from, as there are many theories including the wolf, jackal and wild pi dogs.
This most widely accepted theory is that the Modern Dog developed from an animal closely resembling a mongoose, just over 2 metres with a long muzzle and bushy tail. This animal became extinct approximately 100-50 million years ago, just before a larger species was breaded, forming wolves, jackals and foxes.
The domesticated dog began its responsibilities early on, however, it is not dated when people first domesticated these animals. It is known, however, that all domesticated dogs are decedents from grey wolves. Many settlers raised wolf pups from an early age to help with hunting and protection.
Australia took part in the domesticating process, with settlers bringing canines to explore the Australian bushland, creating our species of Dingos. The Australian dingos still has many similar characteristics to wild dogs, including their lean frame and long snout.
Due to their ancestries and humans development, the canines have expanded into over 350 breeds. The change in characteristics has helped shape these breeds, through the change in body size and mass, height, speed, head size and the dogs history.
The sight hound for example has been used for hunting and companionship for decades, developing in harsh terrain and landscapes in the Middle East. Their fast pace and long, lean legs provide them with the ability to cut down a prey at a short rate for their owners. The sight hound has now branched off into many different origins, including French and Swiss breeds.
Or the scent hound, such as blood hounds and beagles, relied upon for their incredible sense of smell. For centuries their noses have been put to good use, by tracking down deer, or like the St Bernard, lost people.
Early companion dogs were demanded by Queens and Ladies, as the men had hunting dogs in the early medieval period in Europe. The most popular companion in this age was the Italian Greyhound, favoured for its elegance and soft temperament.
These days, the most popular companion dog is the Poodle, as well as the cross breeds from Poodles, including Cavoodle’s (Cavalier King Charles x Poodle) and Spoodles (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle). These mix breeds are now related to as “designer breeds”, including the most favoured household designer breed, the Labradoodle (Labrador x Poodle).
Regardless of their origin they all bring us so much joy and happiness.
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