Post by muskyhusky on Oct 16, 2008 22:55:20 GMT -6
The history of domestic dogs began 20,000 years ago, when
Mesolithic Man first began to use dogs while hunting. When
livestock became domesticated 7000 to 9000 years ago, dogs were
important as protectors and guards.
Skeletal remains indicate that five diverse types of dog existed
in the Bronze Age (about 4500 BC) - mastiffs, wolf-type dogs,
greyhounds, pointing dogs, and shepherding dogs, and cave
paintings show dogs working alongside human hunters.
In the 5th century BC the Greeks utilized dogs as guards. Fifty
dogs protected the fortress of Corinth and when attacked, saved
the town. The sole canine survivor was given a pension for life
and a silver collar. The Greeks also used them for hunting, some
preferring Celtic dogs for that task. Doctors used dogs to
determine whether a person was dead or in a coma - a wag of the
dogs tail would indicate life, but a silent dog meant the person
was indeed dead. In 350 BC Aristotle made a list of the known
breeds, discussing the merits of some.
The Romans traveled Europe widely during their conquests, taking
their dogs with them. These dogs in turn bred with local dogs,
spreading bloodlines throughout Europe. Breeding and training
dogs was an important matter, as much of the success of a hunt
depended on the skill of the dog. In other regions, herding or
guarding were more valued, and dogs were bred to accentuate the
skills needed to perform different tasks for humans.
Asiatic breeds were introduced to Europe by invasion forces in
about the 4th century, and they may have contributed the curly-
coated traits found in many of the European breeds. For the most
part, the breeds of central and eastern Asia may have developed
with less of the cross-region interference than European and
Mediterranean breeds were to experience.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, dog breeding and care was
less important that eating and war. Packs of abandoned dogs
formed and terrorized the towns and villages of the Dark Ages.
Frightened, invaded and uneducated peasants blamed dogs for much
of the horror around them and superstitions about dogs arose -
werewolves, monsters with fangs and curled lips, and many other
evil creatures were based on dogs.
What saved the dog was its continued skill at hunting, and feudal
nobility began to reconstruct lost breeds. Monasteries
recognized dog breeding as a good source of revenue, and turned
to creating breeds to sell to wealthy nobles. From these breeds
came the hunting dogs of France, notably Bloodhounds. So popular
did these dogs become that nobles brought their dogs in to
church. When the priests objected the nobles sat outside for
services. The Blessing of the Animals on church steps is a custom
that survives today.
Dogs soon became expensive, and hunting was reserved as the right
of the rich. The random-bred dogs of the poor were required to
wear large blocks around their necks to prevent them from mating
with the prized breeds of the aristocracy. Meanwhile, specialty
breeds thrived, with one even becoming King of Norway for three
years when a deposed king returned to his country and gave his
people a choice - if you won't be ruled by me, pick this slave
or this dog - the dog won. Sadly, the dog-king later picked a
fight with a wolf, and lost.
During the Crusades, European knights took their dogs to the Holy
Land, where they discovered different breeds. The resulting
crossbreeding gave us the ancestors of today's hounds and
spaniels. Specialty breeds really took off in the Middle Ages.
Different dogs were required to hunt a wide variety of animals,
such as stags, gazelles and bear, and size and traits changed.
The poor old peasants weren't allowed to hunt, but they prized
small, ferocious dogs that would hunt and kill the abundant rat
population.
The Renaissance saw a further refining of breeds. A wealthy
merchant class had both spare cash and spare time, and dogs bred
strictly as companions became popular. Hunting dogs were further
developed and the basis for today's 'griffon' and 'braques' dogs
were established in France. Wealthy monarchs in Europe developed
passions for certain breeds - King Charles of England had his
spaniels and Charles IX of France declared a royal day of
mourning when his Griffon died. Royals gave other rulers dogs as
gifts, so bloodlines developed in various European regions
became mixed, producing yet more breeds.
Specialty breeds found themselves in trouble once again after the
French Revolution. With their aristocratic owners mostly
headless, many of these breeds went into decline. Although
peasants could now hunt, their needs were different, and so
different breeds emerged. Gundogs were now popular and by
crossing greyhounds with braques, a variety of pointers were
developed.
In the 19th century many new breeds were created. This was driven
both by people recreating lost ancient breeds as well as
requiring yet more specific traits for working dogs. Breeds once
again were refined for hunting, ratting, coursing, retrieving and
as companions. With the advent of the first dog show in 1859, the
continued success of the most popular breeds was assured.
There are still many breeds who are little known to even the most
enthusiastic dog fancier. Air travel made formerly isolated
areas more accessible and breeds from places like Tibet became
more well known. There are still breeds who have specific
regional followings, but are not recognized outside their own
areas. There are other breeds whose work is no longer valued due
to mechanization, and many of them have faced extinction.
Whatever the breed, or mix of breed, dogs continue to hold a
special place in the hearts of humans, and their importance in
our lives will continue.
Encyclopedia Britannica
www.petcaretips.net/dog_history.html
Mesolithic Man first began to use dogs while hunting. When
livestock became domesticated 7000 to 9000 years ago, dogs were
important as protectors and guards.
Skeletal remains indicate that five diverse types of dog existed
in the Bronze Age (about 4500 BC) - mastiffs, wolf-type dogs,
greyhounds, pointing dogs, and shepherding dogs, and cave
paintings show dogs working alongside human hunters.
In the 5th century BC the Greeks utilized dogs as guards. Fifty
dogs protected the fortress of Corinth and when attacked, saved
the town. The sole canine survivor was given a pension for life
and a silver collar. The Greeks also used them for hunting, some
preferring Celtic dogs for that task. Doctors used dogs to
determine whether a person was dead or in a coma - a wag of the
dogs tail would indicate life, but a silent dog meant the person
was indeed dead. In 350 BC Aristotle made a list of the known
breeds, discussing the merits of some.
The Romans traveled Europe widely during their conquests, taking
their dogs with them. These dogs in turn bred with local dogs,
spreading bloodlines throughout Europe. Breeding and training
dogs was an important matter, as much of the success of a hunt
depended on the skill of the dog. In other regions, herding or
guarding were more valued, and dogs were bred to accentuate the
skills needed to perform different tasks for humans.
Asiatic breeds were introduced to Europe by invasion forces in
about the 4th century, and they may have contributed the curly-
coated traits found in many of the European breeds. For the most
part, the breeds of central and eastern Asia may have developed
with less of the cross-region interference than European and
Mediterranean breeds were to experience.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, dog breeding and care was
less important that eating and war. Packs of abandoned dogs
formed and terrorized the towns and villages of the Dark Ages.
Frightened, invaded and uneducated peasants blamed dogs for much
of the horror around them and superstitions about dogs arose -
werewolves, monsters with fangs and curled lips, and many other
evil creatures were based on dogs.
What saved the dog was its continued skill at hunting, and feudal
nobility began to reconstruct lost breeds. Monasteries
recognized dog breeding as a good source of revenue, and turned
to creating breeds to sell to wealthy nobles. From these breeds
came the hunting dogs of France, notably Bloodhounds. So popular
did these dogs become that nobles brought their dogs in to
church. When the priests objected the nobles sat outside for
services. The Blessing of the Animals on church steps is a custom
that survives today.
Dogs soon became expensive, and hunting was reserved as the right
of the rich. The random-bred dogs of the poor were required to
wear large blocks around their necks to prevent them from mating
with the prized breeds of the aristocracy. Meanwhile, specialty
breeds thrived, with one even becoming King of Norway for three
years when a deposed king returned to his country and gave his
people a choice - if you won't be ruled by me, pick this slave
or this dog - the dog won. Sadly, the dog-king later picked a
fight with a wolf, and lost.
During the Crusades, European knights took their dogs to the Holy
Land, where they discovered different breeds. The resulting
crossbreeding gave us the ancestors of today's hounds and
spaniels. Specialty breeds really took off in the Middle Ages.
Different dogs were required to hunt a wide variety of animals,
such as stags, gazelles and bear, and size and traits changed.
The poor old peasants weren't allowed to hunt, but they prized
small, ferocious dogs that would hunt and kill the abundant rat
population.
The Renaissance saw a further refining of breeds. A wealthy
merchant class had both spare cash and spare time, and dogs bred
strictly as companions became popular. Hunting dogs were further
developed and the basis for today's 'griffon' and 'braques' dogs
were established in France. Wealthy monarchs in Europe developed
passions for certain breeds - King Charles of England had his
spaniels and Charles IX of France declared a royal day of
mourning when his Griffon died. Royals gave other rulers dogs as
gifts, so bloodlines developed in various European regions
became mixed, producing yet more breeds.
Specialty breeds found themselves in trouble once again after the
French Revolution. With their aristocratic owners mostly
headless, many of these breeds went into decline. Although
peasants could now hunt, their needs were different, and so
different breeds emerged. Gundogs were now popular and by
crossing greyhounds with braques, a variety of pointers were
developed.
In the 19th century many new breeds were created. This was driven
both by people recreating lost ancient breeds as well as
requiring yet more specific traits for working dogs. Breeds once
again were refined for hunting, ratting, coursing, retrieving and
as companions. With the advent of the first dog show in 1859, the
continued success of the most popular breeds was assured.
There are still many breeds who are little known to even the most
enthusiastic dog fancier. Air travel made formerly isolated
areas more accessible and breeds from places like Tibet became
more well known. There are still breeds who have specific
regional followings, but are not recognized outside their own
areas. There are other breeds whose work is no longer valued due
to mechanization, and many of them have faced extinction.
Whatever the breed, or mix of breed, dogs continue to hold a
special place in the hearts of humans, and their importance in
our lives will continue.
Encyclopedia Britannica
www.petcaretips.net/dog_history.html
