Posts Tagged ‘dog history’

9 Dog Breeds with a Royal History

What's your Mutt DNA Border collie with blue and brown eye wearing crown in front of white background

Most dog breeds were bred to do dirty work: exterminating vermin, guarding homes or flocks against predators and intruders, or chasing down high stamina prey animals. Other dogs got to live the cushy life, serving as companion animals to royalty. These dogs were lucky enough to find their way into royal courts, palaces, and even…

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The Origin of Dog-Related Sayings

A painting by George Cruikshank called "Very Unpleasant Weather", painted in 1835, of people in a town being rained on by cats and dogs.

The history of humankind and dogs go way back, so it’s no surprise that many of our common phrases involve dogs! If you’re curious about the meanings of some of the less literal dog sayings and idioms, you’ve come to the right place.   Dog Days of Summer The dog days of summer refer to…

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Breed Spotlight: Dalmatian

What's your Mutt DNA Adult dalmatian dog standing in field of flowers with forest in the background

History The origin of the Dalmatian is widely debated, although it is accepted that the breed has been around for centuries. Art and literature from Europe, Asia, and Africa all provide compelling arguments that they are the Dalmatian’s place of origin. According to The New Complete Dog Book, a official publication of the American Kennel…

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The Amazing Adaptations of Sled Dogs

Musher with team of sled dogs in front of mountains of Denali National Park.

A Brief History The use of dogs to pull sleds has been traced back to around 9,000 years ago through remains on Zhokhov Island in the East Siberian Sea. Archaeological analysis of dog remains showed that, by this time, the inhabitants of the island had domesticated two varieties of dogs: hunters and draft animals. Since…

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Breed Spotlight: Akita

Akita dog standing in a grassy yard with trees in the background

    History What the American Kennel Club recognizes as the “Akita” breed is what every other country recognizes as the “American Akita”. There is also a breed called the “Japanese Akita”, or “Akita Inu”, that is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, the American Akita and Akita Inu have a joint origin…

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Famous Dogs In History: Snuppy, The First Cloned Dog

White Afghan Hound standing in front of pond

Since the successful cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1996, many other mammals have been cloned, including cows, cats, mice, pigs, rabbits, and more. One species that researchers were having trouble with was the dog. The challenge of cloning dogs was due to the difficulty of extracting their eggs and dogs’ short breeding window. It…

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Unusual Dog Breed Origin Stories

A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever at the water's edge in a forest.

Anyone can probably list off the top of their head at least a few breeds of dog that were bred for herding, hunting, or ratting. But can you name a breed that was used to treat arthritis? Here are some of the more unusual jobs that dogs have found work in.     The Glen…

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