15 Ancient Bloodlines That Shaped Modern Dogs

Your dog’s quirky habits might have deeper roots than you think. After all, some breeds still mirror behaviors their ancestors developed hundreds of years ago. Here are 15 dogs whose backgrounds tell interesting stories of adaptation, purpose, and partnership throughout time.

Chow Chow

British sea traders of the 1800s first called them “Chow Chow”—a term used for ship cargo. These dogs originated from China’s cold northern regions, marked by their blue-black tongues. Marco Polo even noted their use as temple guards in 1271.

Saluki

Bedouin tribes treasured Salukis so deeply that Islamic law, which typically views dogs as unclean, made a special exception for them. They can reach high speeds, a skill refined through generations of desert hunting. In ancient Egypt, mummified Salukis rested beside pharaohs.

Basenji

In central Africa’s Congo Basin, villagers still rely on Basenjis for hunting, just as their ancestors did. Rather than bark, these dogs produce vocalizations often described as “yodels” or “laughs.” The American Kennel Club recognized this ancient breed officially in 1944.

Old English Sheepdog

Pictures won’t tell you this, but underneath that coat lies one of Britain’s most versatile farm dogs. Their unusual bouncing gait developed from herding cattle to market. Most people don’t know they started as a larger, rougher breed in England’s west country.

Afghan Hound 

Unlike most ancient breeds, Afghan Hounds actually gained their flowing coats through selective breeding in the 1920s. Their original mountain-dwelling ancestors had shorter, coarser fur. The breed first caught British military officers’ attention during the Anglo-Afghan wars, leading to their Western introduction.

Siberian Husky 

Every Siberian Husky today descends from just 20 dogs brought to Alaska in 1908 for sled racing. The Chukchi people of northeastern Asia developed the breed for both sledding and companionship. Their ability to run long distances in cold temperatures remains unchanged.

Akita

The loyalty of the Akita is legendary—best exemplified by Hachiko, the faithful dog who waited nine years for his late owner. Once reserved for Japanese nobles, this breed faced near extinction during WWII, as only military dogs were spared from culling, putting its bloodline at serious risk.

Alaskan Malamute 

It is said that prehistoric migrations across the Bering Land Bridge brought these dogs’ ancestors to America. The Mahlemut Inuit tribe refined the breed specifically for pulling heavy loads. Each dog could haul up to 150 pounds of weight across snow-covered terrain.

Finnish Spitz 

Finland officially designated these red-coated hunters as their national dogs in 1979. These pups developed their distinctive bark to help hunters locate the treed game in dense forests. They ultimately remained pure due to Finland’s geographical isolation until the early 1900s.

Dachshund

A misconception links their name to hot dogs, but Dachshunds were bred specifically for badger hunting in Germany. Their short legs and long bodies allowed them to dig deep into burrows, while their tenacity made them popular among German foresters.

Pekingese

Once exclusively owned by Chinese imperial family members, these dogs lived on palace grounds as sacred guardians. Anyone caught stealing one faced death by decree. Records from the Tang Dynasty show they were bred to resemble Chinese guardian lions.

German Shepherd

It is said that military and police forces worldwide adopted these dogs after World War I. Their ancestor, the continental shepherd dog, protected flocks across medieval Europe. What started as a standardization project in 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz changed dog history.

Lhasa Apso

Buddhist monasteries in Tibet kept detailed records of these pooches for over 2000 years. Dalai Lamas usually gave them as good luck charms. Additionally, their thick fur and ability to tackle rough terrain developed from their role of guarding monasteries in the Himalayas.

Shiba Inu

Bones that matched Shiba Inu constructions were discovered during archaeological digs in Japan that date back to 300 BC. They came close to going extinct during WWII when the breed was threatened by dangerous attacks and disease. Today’s population could only be restored by three bloodlines. 

Norwegian Elkhound

Stand beside an Elkhound, and you’ll meet one of Europe’s oldest hunting companions. Their distinctive spitz-like features and sturdy build come from generations of moose tracking in harsh Nordic winters. These dogs could literally pinpoint prey from miles away in deep snow.