A couple of months ago, we wrote about how wolves were domesticated, becoming the ancestors of the (usually) tame canine pets we know and love today. Of course, even the most “tame” wolf is still quite wild - or feral - and those with “pet” wolves or half-wolf hybrids know to be cautious as these animals are more likely to become aggressive or defensive, as is customary for their genetic wiring.
So, how did the wolf ancestors become divided into clear, separate breeds, ranging from the uber-curly-haired Standard Poodle to the very short and straight-furred Boxer or Jack Russell Terrier?
Today’s dog breeds are the culmination of thousands of years of intentional breeding of wolves. First, wolves were bred for specific working purposes, which was part of how they became “humankind’s best friend” in the first place.
As posted on the Wolf Education and Research Center:
Originally, dogs were bred specifically for the function they provided, whether that was hunting or guarding. To nowadays, we see dogs bred for all sorts of reasons, from physical aesthetics to improving health issues. Through breeding, we’ve created hundreds of different dogs from the original few that we connected with thousands of years ago.
So, working dogs were the first versions of intentional breeding for specific traits.
One of the first traits humans appreciated about certain wolves was their ability to sound - or show - an alarm.
While some may have appreciated more aggressive wolf traits that scared predators or warring tribes/clans away (barking, growling, snarling), equally appealing would have been dogs that did not bark but demonstrated a heightened awareness of someone or something approaching via their body language (fur standing on edge, perked up head/ears, wide open eyes, maybe a barely audible low growl).
Thus, the watchdog breeds came into being. These include dogs like Mastiffs, German shepherds, and Great Pyrenees.
Then there are the situations where you want a dog that will not only sound an alarm but has a heightened attack instinct. German shepherds, Staffordshire Terriers, Akitas, and Doberman Pinschers are good examples of this, depending on how they’re raised and trained.
This is one of the reasons prospective dog owners need to be so careful about the breeds they select for their home - whether from a breeder or an animal shelter. Choosing a dog based on its looks can be disastrous if its genetically programmed behaviors don't match your lifestyle.
Then, of course, there is the fact that humans learned some hunting skills by observing local wolf packs. Thus, in addition to selectively breeding for protection, we also began focusing on wolves with superior hunting - or retrieving - skills.
Hunting dogs are still popular among humans who hunt, and those breeds include pointers, spaniels, retrievers, and certain terriers.
As our hunting and gathering ancestors began cultivating the land and establishing more permanent homesteads and villages, a new need arose. These humans began breeding dogs that were good at protecting flocks of sheep, goats, or cattle and who could be trained to help round them up when it was time to relocate them to greener pastures, for bearing their young, or for slaughter.
Herding dogs are invaluable to farmers and ranchers who raise livestock, including breeds like Australian shepherds, Heelers (Australian cattle dogs), sheepdogs, and Border Collies.
As you can imagine, just as you shouldn’t choose a breed known for its guarding/attack skills if you live in a busy household with lots of guests coming in and out, you shouldn’t opt for a hunting or herding dog if you aren’t prepared to provide it with a hefty dose of daily exercise to burn off all of that extra energy.
Fun Tip: If you love herding breeds but don’t have a herd, consider building an agility course in your backyard. A few fun obstacles and tricks provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation for your smart, energetic dog - and you may even find yourself attending local agility dog shows for fun.
As humans worked to cultivate specific types of wolves-then-dogs for working traits, a whole different set of traits emerged. Those traits were more geared towards companionship and indoor life, including things like:
One example of the first three bullet points is the Bichon Frise, which was initially bred from a Belgian water dog and became a favorite of the European courts due to its happy nature, love of being right with its humans, and excellent performance of fun party tricks.
Papillons are another dog bred purely to adorn the laps of royalty, as were Shih Tzus, which were appreciated by Chinese royalty for their love of laps, tendency to sound alerts, and unique, lion-like looks.
You may have also noted the uptick in dogs that include “poo” or “doodle” in the title, like Cockapoos, Labradoodles, or Goldendoodles. These breeds cross the hypo-allergenic benefits of Poodles (which have hair rather than fur) with other loved breeds. The result is a dog that doesn’t make you itchy or sneezy.
Any dog lover knows that dogs improve quality of life, but that’s only true if you choose the right dog breed or type for your household and lifestyle. As you can imagine, dog breeding has a very dark side, which is evident in the number of puppy mills and dollar-driven breeders out there. So, in addition to helping you select the right breed, we can also direct you to the highest quality dog breeders in our area so your dollars are supporting healthy breeding practices.
If you’re a purebred dog lover, let Alternative Canine Training learn more about you so we can tailor your breed preferences to your daily routine. Once you find that perfect fit, we can also help you both settle into your new lives with essential boundaries and training skills in place. Contact us to schedule a consultation or learn more about our online and in-person training courses.