This handsome, cheerful dog is the most well-known of the four Sennehunde, or Swiss mountain dogs. A dog of moderate to large size, his origins extend back into European antiquity when the Berne region of the Alps was invaded by the Romans who cross-bred local dogs with their mastiffs…

This is a dog of ancient lineage who most likely originated in Turkey to defend flocks against predators like wolves and bears. For at least 4,000 years, this fearless dog has been a staunch protector of homes and families…

Just as their name implies, these strong, hardy dogs evolved in artic regions. The name mahlemut is dervied from the Inuit people; it means “tribal dog” of these ancient arctic dwellers…

This strong, powerful dog is perhaps the most famous of the Japanese line of working dogs. He was largely unknown to the Western world until 1937 when Helen Keller brought an Akita to America…

To the uninitiated, the Whippet may appear to be merely a miniature Greyhound. Although he was developed from Greyhound roots, the Whippet is a distinct breed in his own right…

In the Highlands of Scotland, the Deerhound has been prized by clan chieftans and nobility (”Lairds”) since the 16th century. When the clan system collapsed in 1746, the Scottish Deerhound was threatened with extinction, but revived by legendary breeder Duncan MacNeil…

The year is 1922. The place, South Africa. European settlers and explorers cross-bred five well-established hounds and native African dogs to produce a large, powerful dog used for big game hunting who became known as the Rhodesian Ridgeback…

Those unfamiliar with the Saluki may mistake him for a shaved-down Borzoi. In reality, the Saluki is likely to be the most ancient dog breed in the world today. His picture adorns many a Pharaoh’s tomb as well as artifacts from Macedonia, Persia,  the Ottoman Empire and Babylon…

Looking at the graceful, muscular Pharaoh Hound is like looking back in time at least 5,000 years ago. He’s unique in being both a sight and scent hound. Depictions of him can be found as far back as the XIX Egyptian dynasty…

In 2007, the AKC officially recognized the Plott Hound into its Hound Group; he has competed at Westminster only once, but is already receiving much attention. While new to the AKC, the Plott is far from new historically…

What a huge name for a little dog! You may have seen this hound in prestigious dog shows, nicknamed the PBGV. In the show ring, he often appears as a pampered “dog of the week,” yet this little hound is much more functional than he appears!…

The Otterhound is a rare and seldom-seen dog of unknown breed origins. He was developed in England to rid the streams of fish-depleting otters, plunging into icy water to follow an otter into its den and hold it there until the hunter brought in a terrier to kill the otter.  It is well-documented that in 1212, King John kept a pack of Otterhounds…

Since the ancient times of the Vikings, the Norwegian Elkhound was a constant companion with hunters, mariners and families. The national breed of Norway, this hound ha existed in Scandinavia for more than 5,000 years. Tapestries display him along with the Norse gods; portraits of mighty hunters depict both their swords and their Elkhounds…

By 1500 BC, large dogs became known in Ireland, brought to the land of the ancient Celts by seafaring Greeks. The first mention of the huge dog that would become the Irish Wolfound was found in Roman documents in A.D. 391. The biggest dog breed in the world has changed little since antiquity…

Irish Wolfhound Photo

Although this is an ancient breed, the Ibizan Hound is rarely seen in America outside the show ring. He resembles depictions of the Egyptian jackal god, Anubis. He was most likely taken to the Balearic island of Ibiza by Phoenician traders where he was fully developed as a hunting hound…

 
Two Ibizan Hounds Race

“Harrier,” in old Norman-speak, means “hunting dog.” He is one of the oldest scenthounds still existing today, dating back to 13th-century England. In appearance, he resembles a Beagle or American Foxhound, but is a distinctly different breed…

From ancient times, hunting dogs were developed to be sighthounds - dogs that found their prey by sight rather than smell and could run down their target with astonishing speed. Greyhound-like dogs have existed since antiquity in Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire…

Two Greyhounds Pose For The Camera 

This breed is distinctly different from his cousin, the English Foxhound. He has a long history in America, brought here in 1650. Fox hunting gained such popularity that George Washington kept a kennel of American Foxhounds…