The Otterhound dog is a member of the scenthound family and its exact origin is unknown. Some dog enthusiasts estimate that the breed may have started in France because it resembles a look of the old French Vendeen Hound. Still, others say that the Otterhound is a mix of the Bloodhound, Welsh Harrier, Southern Hound,…
The Whippet is said to have come from a combination of Greyhound dogs mixed with smaller dogs during the 18th century in the attempt to create an animal that could be used by peasants for poaching small game such as rabbits. With its direct roots from the Greyhound dog, which are genetically designed to race…
The Afghan Hound has its origins from Middle Eastern Sighthounds with roots that date back to the Egyptian Pharaohs. Most of these dogs were used by nomadic tribes in order to hunt the ground for gazelles, hare, and other small animals to bring back for food. For centuries, the Afghan Hound breed remained isolated in…
The Harrier dog breed is a member of the scenthound family and its origins are from Great Britain. The term “Harrier” used to be a general reference to all hounds which is why it makes it difficult to research the exact history of today’s Harrier dog. Dog historians theorize that this dog may in fact…
“The red, long-tailed dog goes at night into the stalls of the hills. He makes no delay in hunting, his face glows like a God and he delights to do his work.” The above description of the Pharaoh Hound is a hunting account that was taken from the XIX Egyptian dynasty. Even to this day,…
The Saluki is considered to be the most ancient of all dog breeds. There is evidence of their existence found in art work on Egyptian tombs that are dated thousands of years B.C. Arab nomads from the ancient civilization of Seleucia (where this breed got its name from) used the Saluki dogs to hunt animals…
Although we cannot pinpoint the exact time period in history when the Bassett Hound was created, historians have noted that the first mention of this dog was found within 16th-century text that made reference to “short-legged dogs used for badger hunting”. We also know that similar dwarf breeds that had short legs were used in…
The Basenji is one of the oldest and most primitive of all dog breeds. This animal was discovered by Pygmy hunters in the lands of the African Congo. The early tribes used them as pack hunters which helped drive small game into net traps. England started to see Basenji dogs brought to their lands during…
The Dachshund was officially recognized by the AKC in the early 1900s, and according the the current AKC registration list, this dog has become one of the top five registered breeds of today. This small sized member of the hound group has an unforgettable appearance, with a short, long body, small legs, and a handsome…
Although the bloodhound is one of those dogs that has a lazy facial expression and is often found lying around the house, do not let these characteristics fool you. This dog can be an extremely focused and energetic tracker once he catches a trail scent. And the bloodhound is known to be very independent, tough,…