Top 10 Extinct Dog Breeds

Someone aptly said that dogs are the best companion. When we talk about dogs, the term "loyal" comes by itself. No wonder dog movies like Hachiko and Marley & Me were blockbusters of their time.

Over time, and, as they say, the fittest survives, some breeds have completely died out on planet Earth. But having their own special characters and story is worth it to understand. So let's take a look at some of the extinct dog breeds that were popular in their time.

11. Thylacine, Australian brindle dog

Thylacine or Thylacinus cynocephalus were apex predators and were considered the largest carnivorous marsupials in ancient times. They are also commonly referred to as Tasmanian tigers or Tasmanian wolves. Although not a true dog species, but a marsupial, their resemblance to dogs, with the exception of the stiff tail and ventral pouch, was very pronounced. They were mostly nocturnal and used to survive by hunting even in sparsely populated areas. The last specimen is recorded to have died in captivity.

10 Moscow Water Dog

The Moscow Water Dog breed was reportedly bred by the Russians to perform water rescue operations during the end of World War II. However, earlier dogs of this breed behaved very aggressively with everyone. They bit the sailors and even the one who trains them. Instead of protecting and facilitating the work of seafarers, they create unnecessary disturbance during work. Over time, Moscow Water Dogs and Newfoundlands begin to look too much alike. Later, dogs from the breed of Moscow water dogs completely died out and were replaced by Newfoundlands.

9. Talbot

The Talbot breed is the ancestor of modern Beagles and Coonhounds. In the Middle Ages, the Talbot was treated as a separate hound, but later, in the 17th century, it emerged as a separate breed. According to historical records, the breed became completely extinct by the end of the 18th century, but the legacy lives on at Talbot Arms. Some English hotels and puppies carry this name. They were hounds in smell and resembled a bloodhound.

8 Alpine Spaniel

The cold mountains of the Swiss Apples were considered home to the Alpine Spaniel. They have a thick coat and fluffy outline. Historians report that by the middle of the 19th century the Alpine Spaniel breed had become extinct. Some rare disease is believed to be the cause of their extinction. They were often used by rescuers in the mountains near the Great St. Bernard Pass. Modern St. Bernards are descendants of the Alpine Spaniel and bear the name of the place where their primitive animals once flourished.

7. Indian hare dog

When a domestic dog was crossed with a coyote, the result was the coydog, commonly known as the Indian hare dog. The main targets pursued by the dogs of the Hare Indians were sight hunting and trapping. This work was done by the Athabaskan tribes in the Great Bear Lake region of northern Canada. Due to interbreeding and interbreeding with dogs of other different breeds, Indian dogs became extinct over time.

6 St. John's Water Dog

All modern aquatic retrievers, such as the Newfoundland, Golden Retriever, and Labrador Retriever, are descended to some extent from the Newfoundland St. John's dog. Dogs of this breed, being excellent swimmers, attracted the attention of British hunters. They used to bring in hounds to increase their water supply. Over time, the breed evolved into what we see today as Labradors. The St. John's water dog breed originated from natural crossbreeding of local dogs.

5. Moloss

Molossians are considered the potential ancestors of today's mastiff breeds. In ancient times, Molossian dogs were used for a variety of purposes, from fighting to hunting. Some also believe that they are meant to protect livestock and homes. They are also reported to be the ancestors of some great breeds other than the Mastiff, such as the Bernard, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, and Great Dane.

4. Cumberland Sheepdog

The Cumberland Sheepdog was once the most popular breed in all of northern England. By the end of the 20th century, the breed was completely extinct. Historians report that this breed was absorbed by the Border Collie. Even Australian Shepherds are considered the forerunners of the Cumberland Sheepdog.

3. Northern country beagle

The North Country Beagle Hound breeds are native to the Yorkshire and Northumberland regions of England. They were a potential companion of the English Foxhound, and this is considered one of the probable facts of their disappearance. They have very fast hunting abilities and a piercing voice, and this is the main reason why people keep them as their pets. According to historians, they died out in the 19th century.

2. Marriage du Puy

Brac du Puy dogs were very fast, intelligent and ideal for hunting. The history of their creation is very interesting. It is reported that there were two brothers who had two different varieties of dogs. One was a French Bracq and the other was a Slough from North Africa. They crossed these two different varieties repeatedly, resulting in the Braque du Puy.

1. Woolly dog ​​Salish

Dogs of the Salish woolen breed occupied a special place with the owners, as they could weave a lot of wool from their fur coat. In the early summer, the hair of dogs was sheared and made into blankets and pullovers. Other fabrics were also mainly made from wool obtained from Salish Wool dogs. It is said that since Europeans began to arrive on the continent and bring sheep's wool and other inexpensive textiles with them, Salish wool dogs have become less desirable and beneficial to people. This eventually led to their disappearance over time.

This article, which is worth thinking about and considering when studying dogs, provides some of the facts about dogs that have become extinct, but which are worth pondering. Living and bred from different parts of the world, these breeds have always been a constant source of entertainment and pleasure at the same time.