Dog Breeds – 6 Rare Precious Breeds On Hold

Dogs come in many shapes and sizes. They are one of the most varied species on the planet. All these different kinds of dogs originated from the wolf. It is almost impossible to believe it but the Pekinese is more closely related to the wolf than is the German Shepherd.

This great variety of dogs results from selective breeding over millennia. For centuries human beings have been choosing those characteristics in dogs that they found desirable for some reason. Dogs have been selected for their small size so that they fit down badger holes or make lap dogs. They have been selected for their large size so that they can act as guard dogs and shepherd dogs. They have been selected for thick coats in cold climates or to be almost hairless.

The dog is one of the oldest domesticated animals and over the many centuries that they have lived and worked with humans they have played many roles. Consequently, there are innumerable breeds of dogs. They have been bred to meet the requirements of different occupations and to meet the aesthetic standards of different societies.

Often toy breeds have been developed from working dogs. The Affenpinscher is an example of this. It is a toy version of the pinscher and schnauzer family. It makes a good family pet because of its affectionate nature. This is a highly trainable and highly intelligent dog. The coat is wiry and usually dark in color.

The Anatolian Shepherd is less well known than the familiar German Shepherd. But its strong build and courageous nature make it an ideal security or hunting dog.

The Basenji or African Hunting Dog is a silent dog. It has been bred to have no bark so that it does not disturb the game. It is not a particularly affectionate animal but will become accustomed to people if handled from an early age.

A very different kind of dog is the Bouvier des Flandres. This dog was bred as a herding dog in France. It looks somewhat like a terrier. But it has a placed nature. The coat is rough and usually dark in color. They are often used in police work or as a guide dog for the visually impaired. They are intelligent and respond well to training.

The Ovtcharka from Central Asia is a large dog that has been used for herding. It has a fearless nature and is very brave. They usually have their ears and tails docked when they are puppies.

From Poland comes the Owczarek Nizinny which is a medium-sized dog. Its coat is long and often covers its eyes. They make excellent pets but hate to be left alone for long as they are very social.