Encyclopedia
From that small carnivore that originated dog and cat’s ancestors, over 50 million years ago, to the current domestic dog, a series of animals appeared on earth, in constant evolution process, adapting their morphology successively. But a long time passed before getting to the Canis etruscus, appearing in Europe over 2 million years ago and preceeding the Canis Lupo, the wolf from which our domestic dog comes from. That dog that today, by natural evolution process or by the selective breeding that man has conducted through time, hundreds of breeds have been developed, from the small Chihuahua to the majestic Great Dane, keeping more or less the wolf prints that originated them. About 30,000 years ago during the Ice Age, humans and wolves were already defined social groups.
Dogs have become the company animal by excellence. There is nothing better to combat loneliness than having a dog at home.
Dog Breeder - How to get the most from your dog breeder.At some point in that period, canids began approaching man to feed from their hunting remains. This attitude allowed some of the more docile puppies to approach human coexistence, and thus domestication began, which many millennia later would lead to the appearance of dogs that share work, sport and affection with us. The most ancient evidence of human and dog relationship goes back 10.000 years ago. Special domestication methods were not necessary since dogs, understanding the benefits in associating to man, not only avoided it but approached man seeking coexistence. At first dogs prowled 
places where human groups settled and, little by little, integrated to those groups. From simple spectators, went on to be part of hunting expeditions, learning that their task as assistants was chasing and bringing the pieces men killed close to the men, convinced that such behavior brought them some advantages.
For their part, men quickly realized they had found a hunting aid in this new partner, a lookout and a guardian. In a short time, and without abandoning the tasks they performed in the group, dogs began turning into something more than a worker at the service of humans, since they both learned to keep each other company and be friends. From the moment they began associating themselves with man, dogs could already be told apart between several breeds due to natural mutations of some morphologic elements. This natural primitive breed selection indicates that, since then, the Canis familiaris species had a clear variation tendency.
Later, occidental Asians and Egyptians began to select, breed and train different breeds, such as mastiffs and greyhounds, with some objectives that were not functional or beneficial to the community. They painted then and dignified them, as well as cats, with mummification and a pompous burial. Romans also demonstrated great interest for the canine world: during the Empire a large portion of current breeds was already known.
In summary, we can say that with domestication, dogs became an important work aid for men. During the Neolithic, at the time when agriculture and stockbreeding was being developed, dogs became essential as hunters and shepherds due to their acute sense of smell and great resistance. From that first moment, collaboration became stronger and covered other action fields.
Because of their different aptitudes and physical characteristics, dogs were also war companions, target animals, attentive guardians or vigorous athletes. They inspired great artists who immortalized them in their books, sculptures and paintings. They fulfilled every task man entrusted them perfectly and still do. For all this, it’s the best animal to share our lives with.
SALUKI DOGS
The Saluki Dogs are is one of the oldest domestic canine breeds in the world. It is probable that, related to the Afghan greyhound, it already existed in the Sumerian period. It arrived in Europe by the hand of the Celts, who used it in hunting, it spread un Greece and later the Romans introduced it in Italy. In1840 it was known in England, where it was called the Persian greyhound and the breed’s purity was officially acknowledged in 1923, setting the first standard. Unfortunately, currently there are few specimens in this breed.
IRISH WOLFHOUND
This is the largest of greyhounds and one of the largest dogs in the world, probably, the genetic successor of animals introduced to Ireland by the Celts. According to some opinions, the Irish greyhound can be one of the origins of this magnificent breed, developed for wolf hunting. A patient breeding was conducted, crossing deerhounds, dogges and, possibly the borzois, to achieve that in 1897, the Kennel Club acknowledged this breed, which currently has few specimens.
RUSSIAN GREYHOUND - BORZOI
It is thought that the borzoi could have appeared in the XVI century, from the crossing of the saluki and a Russian shepherd. This breed was the Russian nobility’s favorite during a long time, who engaged in spreading it towards other European countries, such as England. Towards the end of the XIX century it also reached the United States and there the breeding was promoted and along with the breeding conducted in Europe, it was kept from extinction.
The borzoi is considered the most noble of greyhounds due to its physical elegance and distinct movements.
HUNGARIAN GREYHOUND
There are references to this breed, also called the Magyar Agar, in Hungarian tombs of the IX, even when it didn’t have English greyhound blood. It is considered that such later, and excessively frequent crossing, harmed the linage purity greatly, for which current breeders are, mainly, trying to avoid that kinship, retrieving and maintaining the breed purely defined.
Its ears are always droopy but it erects them, briefly, during sexual arousal.
SCOTTISH GREYHOUND
In Scotland, its native land, it is called deerhound due to its use in deer hunting, in which it is a true expert. It is a very ancient breed, which was protected by the clan lords, until the deer became scarce and the breeding was almost abandoned. But in England several breeders engaged in keeping it and selecting it with strict criterion that resulted in a dog with great purity.
ARAB GREYHOUND
Moroccan in origin, this greyhound descends from the great Egyptian greyhound, now extinct, and since many centuries ago it traveled along the Arabs that settled in the North of the African continent. It developed throughout Morocco for hare and antelope hunting and, currently, it is a breed with an almost diffusion almost limited to its place of origin. But it wasn’t always like this, since after the Argelian war some specimens were taken to France, which were considered as luxury dogs.
AFGHAN GREYHOUND
With this afghan greyhound is the same as other breeds of ancient origin, which are surrounded by legends. It is said, that Noah himself put a couple of Afghans into his ark, which would make them the oldest dogs on earth. It probably is a descendent of the ancient Egyptian greyhound which was used in hunting large game. From 1888, in which a British Army Official took a couple of Afghans to England, is development began in Europe and its spread throughout the world.
GREYHOUND Dog
The English greyhounds descend from the ancient Egyptian greyhounds. From Egypt it reached Greece, whereof its name Greek Hound and later to Great Britain, probably taken by the Phoenicians. During the ruling of Henry VIII, his successor, Isabel, engaged directly in the breed’s development, requesting that hare chasing championships were celebrated. It is said that it is the best pure greyhound and one of the best hunters. Carpaccio, Veronese or Van Dick were some of the painters that had greyhounds as models for their pieces.
ITALIAN GREYHOUND (PICCOLO)
Immortalized in Renaissance paintings, the Italian greyhound belongs to a breed that was already known, at least five centuries before our era. This dog comes from the ancient Egypt, from there it spread to Greece and later to Italy, presences proven by several period objects that represent it. But the Renaissance was without a question its golden era. Nowadays, it is a much procured animal as a company dog.
SPANISH GREYHOUND
It is thought that this breed already existed in the Roman era, there is no doubt that one of its predecessors is the Arab greyhound, which reached the peninsula during the conquest. Its speed in the popular greyhound races as well as its skill in hare hunting guarantee its presence in dog tracks and hunting competitions, being much appreciated in Spain. But this is not the case outside Spanish borders, because after some crossings with the English greyhound, the breed’s purity was detrimented.
