Page 23 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

PRIMITIVE DOG S 23

PRIMITIVE DOGS

Most modern dog breeds are the result of many years
of selective breeding for particular characteristics, but a few,
commonly regarded as primitive dogs, have remained close
to the original “blueprint” of their wolf ancestors. As a group,
primitive dogs are not clearly defined, and not all authorities
agree that such a category should be recognized. Hairless dogs are depicted in
ancient Pre-Incan artifacts

As variously listed, primitive dogs are a for temperament or appearance and of descent may not have remained
diverse group, but many of them share cannot be considered completely unbroken down the centuries. It is
typically wolflike characteristics. These domesticated. The New Guinea Singing probable that the Pharaoh and Ibizan
include erect ears, a wedge-shaped Dog, which is highly endangered in the Hounds are in fact modern recreations
head with a pointed muzzle, and a wild, is more likely to be seen in zoos of a primitive dog type.
tendency to howl rather than bark. than in homes.
Their coats are usually short but Several dogs are included in
vary in color and density according the primitive group because
to the region from which the dog they are believed to be MAGICAL DOG
originates. Most primitive dogs come uninfluenced by any other types The Aztecs believed that
into season only once a year, unlike over thousands of years. Among hairless dogs were sent
by the gods and had
other domestic dogs, which have two them is the Basenji from Africa, magical properties.
cycles of estrus a year. long used for hunting in its
Canine specialists are now taking native country before becoming
an interest in dogs that have had little a popular pet. Other examples
to do with humans and nothing to do are hairless dogs from Mexico
with breed development programs. and South America, genetic
These primitive dogs, which come from mutations of coated breeds that
various parts of the world, include the resemble dogs depicted in the art
Carolina Dog of North America and and artifacts of ancient civilizations.
the rare New Guinea Singing Dog, Recent genetic investigations
which is genetically close to the dingo suggest that two dogs included in this
of Australia. Such dogs have evolved section—the Pharaoh Hound and the
naturally rather than through breeding Ibizan Hound—should no longer be
considered primitive. These breeds
are popularly supposed to be the
direct descendants of big-eared
Egyptian hounds pictured in drawings
dating back 5,000 years. However,
there is genetic evidence that the line

STILL WILD
The dingolike New Guinea Singing Dog does
not adapt well to domestic life. It may have
inhabited New Guinea from prehistoric times.

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