#1 Chinese Shar-Pei
There are photos of pottery that date back to 206 B.C. that suggest that this dog existed back then. It is believed that this dog was descended from the Chow Chow because both had blue-black tongues. In China, these dogs had plenty of jobs on farms such as tracking, herding, protecting livestock, and being a companion to the family. During the Communist Revolution, the Shar-Pei population began to dwindle. Thankfully, a Hong Kong businessman set out to save the breed in the early 70’s. Today, this breed is extremely popular.
#2 The Samoyed
The Samoyed is very closely related to the primitive dog, and it has no wolf or fox mixed in. The dog was originally bred by the Siberian Samoyede people so that they could assist with hunting, pulling sleds, and herding reindeer. Toward the end of the 19th century this breed expanded further than Siberia and they were used to pull sleds during polar expeditions. Due to the danger of these expeditions, only the fittest breeds would survive. The Samoyed was officially accepted as a breed in 1909 in England and 1923 in the United States.
#3 Saluki
This dog was named for the Arabian city of Saluki. It was native from eastern Turkestan to Turkey. This breed is close to another ancient breed which will be mentioned later, the Afghan Hound and is one of the oldest domesticated dogs. These dogs are believed to be old because there have been mummified bodies of Salukis beside the Pharaohs in Egyptian tombs that date back to 2100 BC. These dogs were also said to have been used by Arabs to hunt hare, gazelle foxes, and jackals.
#4 Pekingese
Of the 10 most ancient dog breeds on Earth, this is one of the oldest. DNA evidence has confirmed that the Pekingese is one of the oldest dog breeds. This breed existed in China over 2,000 years ago. In the 1890’s, these dogs were smuggled out of China. It officially became a breed in the United States in 1906 and in England in 1904.
#5 Lhasa Apso
The first recorded Lhasa Apso goes all the way back to 800 BC. The first dogs were from Tibet and the breed was named for the city, Lhasa. For thousands of years, this breed could only be owned by nobles and monks. They were supposed to be sacred and if the dog’s owner died, it was believed that their soul would enter the dog’s body. The first time this dog came to the United States was when the 13th Dalai Lama gave two of them as gifts in 1933. In 1935, the Lhasa Apso officially became a breed.
#6 Chow Chow
Where the Chow Chow originated from is a mystery, however, it is a very old breed. The oldest dog fossils ever found resembled the bones of a Chow Chow. Also, there were pictures of these dogs on pottery that dates back to 206 BC. These dogs were once used by the Chinese to be protectors ot the home, herders, hunters, and sled and cart pullers. During the 1800’s, these dogs arrived in England for the first time. In 1903, this breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club.
#7 The Basenji
The Basenji is believed to be the oldest domesticated dog. These dogs are different than other dogs. The females only cycle once a year as apposed to twice a year like all other breeds. Also, this dog doesn’t bark. This dog was originally bred for hunting, therefore, it didn’t bark. If the dog does bark, it will be just once. This is one of the reasons that these dogs are in high demand. What dog owner doesn’t want a dog who doesn’t bark insistently. In 1943, this breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club.
#8 The Alaskan Malamute
This is a Nordic sled dog. It was named after the Mahlemuit Eskimos. They were originally called the Arctic wolf and they were originally bred to pull sleds. They are able to stay warm in extremely cold temperatures. This breed is also very strong and they can go longer without food and water than most other breeds of dog. This makes it possible for these dogs to travel long distances pulling sleds.
#9 The Afghan Hound
This dog originated in Afghanistan and the original name of the breed was Tazi. They date all the way back to the pre-Christian era. There is DNA evidence that indicated that of the 10 most ancient dog breeds on Earth, that this is the oldest. In 1926, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club. Today, this is a very popular and highly sought after breed of dog. Because this breed is so beautiful and so unique, breeders charge a lot of money for one of these dogs.
#10 The Jackal
This animal dates back thousands of years. This animal is attached to the room on the Anubis Shrine which now is displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This dog is not only strong, but it is also majestic. It is believed that these animals were used as hunting dogs in Africa. Over the years, the breed began to die out. Today, the dog closest in appearance to this dog is the Doberman Pincher. Like the Jackal, the Doberman Pincher is a very strong, protective, and loyal animal.
