PROVET HEALTHCARE INFORMATION - Early Dogs

Back

EARLY DOG BREEDS - THE SPITZ

Description

Along with Greyhounds the Spitz-type dogs are generally believed to be one of the earliest domesticated dogs in the world. They occur all over the world and the local varieties are considered to be indigenous to the area. This confirms that they are indeed an early form of domesticated dog. They have sharp features to the head, pointed erect ears, rather straight hindlegs with little angulation to the hock and a bushy tail that is carried over the back.

The geographical distribution of this type of dog is summarised in the following table :

LOCATION	SPITZ-TYPE BREED	COMMENTS
Arctic circle	Sledge dogs :Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malmute, the Eskimo and the Samoyed.
China	Chow Chow	Pottery models exist from 206BC-AD220 (the Han dynasty) Used for hunting dear, putting up birds, sled dogs, guard dogs, for fur and meat.
Denmark	Medium -sized Spitz	One of earliest finds in Europe (Mesolithic)
Finland	Finnish Spitz	Used for putting up birds
Germany	German Spitz	These were large dogs called Pomeranians (not like the small Pomeranians produced by British breeders) and mainly white. Depicted in a painting by Gainsborough dated 1777.
Holland	Keeshond	Used as a watchdog
Iceland	Icelandic dog	Very similar to the Norwegian Buhund
Japan	Akita - 3 sizes	Used for hunting bear and deer. Now used for Police work
North Africa and Congo Basin	Basenji	Used for hunting
Norway	Elkhound Norwegian Buhund	Used for hunting elk Used for herding, hunting rats and as a watchdog