The modern world is not only rich in material things but also in the number of dog breeds. There are quite a lot of them, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes 360 different breeds. And they are not only different from each other when it comes to appearance, but also in their nature, needs and approach to humans. However, all breeds have something in common and it is their origin – dogs come from wolves. What was the reason for this development and how do different breeds differ from each other? Let’s have a look at it.
The most important change occurred when wolves joined people. The domestication came with a different approach, lifestyle and food, when people started giving it plant-based food – all of this caused different breeds to emerge. It was also accompanied by selection in breeding when people only bred the dogs they needed at the time and which were perfectly suitable for them. So, these combined various appearance features, characteristics, and different approaches to life. Over time, the tasks that dogs which were originally bred for work had to handle were changing. Therefore, their appearance and nature were constantly changing as well.
The differences between different breeds were not so significant at first. While some dogs focused on watching the herd, others were kept at home to protect it. Some were raised for hunting, others were purely sociable – their main task was to entertain people.
There is currently an international categorization of dog breeds which divides dogs into ten groups – and it was created by the above-mentioned FCI. Dogs in each group have similar physical and psychological features:
1) Shepherd and cattle dogs – those are primarily characterized by their strong desire to work, they are very intelligent and vigilant, and they are able to learn how to live with a human quickly. They’re not good for living in flats. These breeds require an active lifestyle, nature and a lot of exercise is perfect for them.
2) Pinschers, schnauzers and molossoid breeds – they come from England, they are very sociable and unlike shepherd dogs, they don’t need a lot of physical activity. They are perfect dogs for cuddling, but they can watch your house as well.
3) Terriers – this group was created because of the need for a resilient dog capable of hunting in water, as well as the movement among cattle. Due to their robust appearance and resistance to cold, terriers were recognized as watchdogs, but they also proved themselves as skilled fox hunters in England.
4) Dachshunds – these dogs have been bred for hunting on and below the ground, which is why they have short legs with thick but short fur. They can live to very old age. Their nature is pleasant and even-tempered and they are very agile.
5) Spitz and the so-called primitive types – huskies, nordic watchdogs and European as well as Asian spitzes belong to this group. These are lively and loyal dogs which also learn quickly, so it is very easy to train them. They are characterized by their beautiful fur and also by their distrust towards strangers, so they are also suitable as watchdogs.
6) Scenthounds – as the name of this category suggests, it includes mainly the dogs that are suitable for hunting game thanks to their sensitive muzzles – they can easily track game and hunt in a pack as well as alone.
7) Pointers and setters – these are versatile dogs that were mainly used for retrieving hunted game. But they are no killers, they only point the hunter to the spot where the catch is. Besides practical use, they are also reliable and loyal companions.
8) Flushing dogs, retrievers and water dogs – while flushing dogs are mainly good for finding small game, water dogs mainly specialize in underwater hunting. Moreover, they can also break through an ice layer and withstand in cold water.
9) Sociable breeds – this category includes dogs that are used to be with people and require their presence. For example, Bolognese Dog or Boston Terrier belong here. They are great friends, they like playing and they are very affectionate. On the other hand, they can be vigilant and try to protect their owners.
10) Sighthounds – the dogs belonging to this group are above all incredibly fast, they are even among the fastest animals in the world. Therefore, it is clear that they have been bred primarily for hunting game. They have long legs and they are very slim.
Besides this categorization that includes all recognized breeds, there are breeds that aren’t officially and internationally recognized and many dogs belong to them. These include the Bohemian Spotted Dog, Czech Mountain Dog, Prague Ratter, Multi-Colored Poodle and other breeds. There are various reasons why they don’t belong to the official categories. It might be because the breed is not developed enough or it is too similar to other breeds. In some cases, they are also national breeds, their owners breed them according to the conditions set by the FCI and they are still waiting for their international recognition.
Dog obedience is a big topic not only among dog owners, but also outside the community. A dog that does not obey the commands of his owner can be a big problem. Therefore, every dog should undergo at least basic training. The level of training then,...
Cats love fresh air. At least most of them do. However, not all of them have the opportunity to enjoy freedom in nature. Especially cats living in cities spend a lot of time indoors without the opportunity to run freely. That is why cat owners may...
It is a well-known fact that every dog likes to play. However, not all dog owners use the option of interactive toys. These toys, in addition to being fun and an outlet for energy, also offer the possibility of development. They have a positive effect...
Our pets are often members of our families, so it goes without saying that we want to give them the same privileges and comforts as anyone else. Although we couldn’t imagine it in the beginning, our canine companions follow us everywhere. On the...
We usually want only the best for our pets. That is why we often look for ways to improve their quality of life and make sure to support their health as much as possible. We feed them with the best on the market, include regular walks and activities...
In this next part of our series dedicated to dogfrisbee, an activity where the dog is thrown a disc, which he then catches and brings back, we focus on the discipline of Dogdartbee. This discipline comes from the Netherlands and its main essence is...
Like dogs, even cats may have therapeutic effects on patients. This treatment method is called felinotherapy and is suitable for both chronically ill patients, who may need help with coping, and those who suffer from long-term stress. Cats can bring...
Rabbits are popular pets, especially with children. They are cute and like to be petted. It’s good to know, however, that there is a wide range of rabbit breeds. There are even giant breeds, which require slightly different care than dwarf breeds. We...
There are a number of dog breeds that fall into the giant category. We may know and see a lot of them. How do these dogs differ from the mid-sized or even smaller breeds? And what do they need in terms of nutrition, raising and home? On this topic, we...
Sharing a home with a puppy is a great joy as well as worry. Especially if you have no previous experience with a dog or other domestic animal. Before getting a puppy, you should take into account a number of things, think about them carefully and...
Dogsled races are fascinating events. For the dogs and the mushers, these are challenging activities for which they need to prepare properly not only physically but also mentally. The races are not just about performance, but especially about stamina...
Thai cats originate from Siam, today’s Thailand, and came to Europe in the 1880s, then under the name Royal Cats of Siam. However, the whole process of recognition of the breed and its breeding is a complex matter. Around the 1930s, two currents...
