World's first dog

In shape, the Paleolithic dogs most resembled the Siberian husky (as the one shown here), researchers say, but in size, they were somewhat larger, probably comparable to large shepherd dogs. An international team of scientists has just identified what they believe is the world's first known dog, which was a large and toothy canine that lived 31,700 years ago and subsisted on a diet of horse, musk ox and reindeer, according to a new study.

The discovery could push back the date for the earliest dog by 17,700 years, since the second oldest known dog, found in Russia, dates to 14,000 years ago.

Remains for the older prehistoric dog, which were excavated at Goyet Cave in Belgium, suggest to the researchers that the Aurignacian people of Europe from the Upper Paleolithic period first domesticated dogs. Fine jewelry and tools, often decorated with depictions of big game animals, characterize this culture. If Paleolithic dogs still existed as a breed today, they would surely win best in show for strength and biting ability.

"In shape, the Paleolithic dogs most resemble the Siberian husky, but in size, however, they were somewhat larger, probably comparable to large shepherd dogs," added Germonpré, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

For the study, which has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the scientists analyzed 117 skulls of recent and fossil large members of the Canidae family, which includes dogs, wolves and foxes.

Skeletal analysis revealed, "the Paleolithic dogs had wider and shorter snouts and relatively wider brain cases than fossil and recent wolves," said Germonpré, who added that their skulls were also somewhat smaller than those of wolves. Isotopic analysis of the animals' bones found that the earliest dogs consumed horse, musk ox and reindeer, but not fish or seafood. Since the Aurignacians are believed to have hunted big game and fished at different times of the year, the researchers think the dogs might have enjoyed meaty handouts during certain seasons.

Germonpré believes dog domestication might have begun when the prehistoric hunters killed a female wolf and then brought home her pups. Recent studies on silver foxes suggest that when the most docile pups are kept and cared for, it takes just 10 generations of breeding for morphological changes to take effect.

The earliest dogs likely earned their meals too.

"I think it is possible that the dogs were used for tracking, hunting, and transport of game," she said. "Transport could have been organized using the dogs as pack animals. Furthermore, the dogs could have been kept for their fur or meat, as pets, or as an animal with ritual connotation."

The skull of what may be the earliest known dog, which dates to 31,700 years ago. The prehistoric skull was excavated at Goyet Cave in Belgium.

Ancient, 26,000-year-old footprints made by a child and a dog at Chauvet Cave, France, support the pet notion. Torch wipes accompanying the prints indicate the child held a torch while navigating the dark corridors accompanied by a dog.

Susan Crockford, a University of Victoria anthropologist and an evolutionary biologist at Pacific Identifications, Inc. in Canada, told Discovery News that "this is an important paper."

Crockford, however, is not convinced the Aurignacians domesticated dogs. She instead suspects dogs may have undergone "self-domestication" from wolves more than once over history, which could explain why the animals appear and then seemingly disappear from the archaeological record.

Crockford details the possible process in her book, Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species. She theorizes that the genes that control thyroid rhythms, allowing individuals to adapt to changing environmental conditions, can, over time, lead to the evolution of new species.

Vizsla

COUNTRY: Hungary
WEIGHT: 49-62 pounds
HEIGHT: 22-24 inches
COAT: Shorthair
COLOR: Gold to sandy yellow
OTHER NAMES: Magyar Vizsla
GROUP: Gun Dog


The Vizsla (pronounced ['vi?l?], approximately VEESH-la, plural English: Vizslas plural Hungarian: Vizslák is to dog breed originating in Hungary. The Hungarian or Magyar loyal Vizsla represents one of the best in sporting dogs and companions and there are to strong claim to being one of the smallest of the all-round to pointer-retriever breeds. The Vizsla's size is one of the breed's most attractive characteristics and through the centuries I have there are held to unique position for to sporting dog -- that of household companion and family dog.

The natural Vizsla is to hunter endowed with to good nose and an stupefies average trainability. Although they plows lively, gentle mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive, they plows also fearless and possessed of to well-developed protective instinct.

Toy Fox Terrier

COUNTRY: USA
WEIGHT: 3l/2~7 pounds
HEIGHT: 10 inches
COATY Short, smooth
COLOR: Tri preferred, with white predominating
OTHER NAMES: AmerToy
GROUP: Terrier


The Toy was bred directly from the Smooth Fox Terrier, which was brought to the USA from England in the 1870s. At that time, size varied considerably. Although AKC only recognizes the standard size, UKC registered both sizes as Fox Terriers until 1936. The breed then was divided into two varieties: the Fox Terrier and the Toy Fox Terrier.
The AmerToy is widely known in America, with several clubs and organizations fostering him. He has all of the desirable terrier attributes in a small, attractive package. Many people from rural backgrounds recall having these little dogs around the farm "forever." Often appearing in Fox Terrier litters, they were termed runts.

In today's apartment and condo, the AmerToy finds himself equally at home, although the instincts remain. One breeder was called by a farmer who had purchased a pup as a pet for his wife some time earlier. The dog had been exclusively a spoiled house dog all of its life. One day the dog accompanied the farmer out to the silo where it spotted a rat. This tiny, pampered pet ran to the rat, grabbed and killed it with a quick shake, as though he had been doing it all of his life. The farmer related that the dog now serves dual duty, and the farm is nearly rat-free!
AmerToys have also proven their worth as Handi-Dogs, which are trained to assist the deaf and handicapped. These dogs can pick up and return a dropped pencil, fetch a shoe or the paper, and bark on command to indicate the need for help. For people with limited abilities of their hands or who are confined to a wheelchair, Handi-Dogs give their masters increased independence.
The AmerToy is a breeze to groom, and provides its own exercise. Ears are erect, and the tail is docked. His frisky clowning endears him to his owners.

IRISH WATER SPANIEL

COUNTRY: Ireland
WEIGHT: 45-65 pounds
HEIGHT: 21-24 inches
COAT: Tight, crisp ringlets on body, neck and 2 inches down tail, longer hair with loose curls on legs and topknot; smooth on face, remainder of tail, and back legs below hock
COLOR: Solid liver
REGISTRY: FCI, AKC, UKC, TKC, CKC
GROUP: Gun Dog

The exact origins of this most distinct breed are argued to this day. Several types of water retrievers coexisted in Ireland, but this specific breed appeared in the 1830s, mainly from the kennels of Justin McCarthy. His dog "Boatswain," whelped in 1834, is the acknowledged "sire" of the modern breed. McCarthy never revealed the sources of his breeding, and the Irishman kept his secret to the grave. An ancestor of McCarthy fought with the Irish Brigade against England in France for Louis XII. Since several stem types have graced

France since early times, specimens of the early Barbet/Poodle types could have been brought back to Ireland and later crossed with local Irish or British dogs. But those of the Portuguese Water Dog genus may have also been brought to British and Irish shores with Portuguese sailors. It is known that two types of water spaniels populated the Emerald Isle, the northern variety being small and particolored with a wavy coat. His southern counterpart was larger and sported a curly coat. This latter dog likely contributed to the modern IWS. Controversy notwithstanding, it is known he is from water dog stock and that his distinctive type, with high-held head and tail, long thighs and low hocks, and smooth tail, was fixed early.

Remarkably similar to the dogs of 150 years ago, he remains a popular working and show dog in his native Ireland. Although recognized in the USA since 1878 and supported by an active breed club, he is few in number. The breed was appreciated by hunters of waterfowl, who supplied American tables with various delicacies and who admired the- breed's qualities, gently working long hours day after day. The terrain and cover in Ireland were similar to those housing waterfowl in America, enabling the dog to do well in marshy bogs and making him a logical choice for the serious gunner.

He is a quality retriever in any cover and for a variety of game, but his real skills are seen in water, even In currents, where he is a strong swimmer and often dives to go after wounded ducks. His expertise lies in retrieving wounded fowl, which might otherwise escape the hunter. Large and strong enough to handle even geese with ease, his heavy coat affords him protection from long exposure in icy water. His coat needs to be groomed, but not clipped like a Poodle; it sheds water and doesn't become wet to the skin.

There are several well-known obedience workers in the breed, and the first sporting dog to win an obedience title in the USA was an Irish Water Spaniel. His nature is one of initiative and courage, yet he is innately trainable. Owners insist he is a dog with a sense of humor, and his enjoyment of games makes him a good family dog. He is, however, discerning with strangers. His head is capped with a characteristic topknot, and his expression is quizzical, adding to his appealing appearance.

Italian Greyhound

COUNTRY: Italy
WEIGHT: Two varieties—8 pounds maximum; over 8 pounds
HEIGHT: 13-15 inches
COAT: Short, smooth
COLOR: All shades of fawn, red, mouse, blue, cream and white; black/tan not allowed
OTHER NAMES: Piccoli Levrieri Italiani
REGISTRY: FCI, ARC, TKC, CKC
GROUP: Southern

Evidence of miniature Greyhounds was found in the tombs of Egypt, but this exquisite version of its larger counterpart was bred to perfection during Roman times in Italy. Like many of the toy varieties, the little Italian was not bred to serve his masters in any way but as a lap dog. In fact, the miniature Greyhound may well be the first breed bred exclusively as a pet. Some believe that the Latin motto, cave canem (beware the dog), did not warn guests of the tough mastiff kept as a guard, but instead asked them to be careful not to harm the tiny Italian Greyhound.

The Italian Greyhound was fancied by the ladies of the court, quickly winning the hearts of Mary Queen of Scots and Anne of Denmark. King Lobengula, chief of a 19th-century Mata-bele tribe, was so entranced by their prancing movement he gave a breeder 200 head of cattle for one Italian Greyhound! Frederick the Great succumbed to their charms, as did countless others. The king carried his favorite pet with him, even into battle. It is said during the Seven Years' War that Frederick found it necessary to hide from the enemy under a bridge. If the dog had barked a warning or whined in fear, Frederick and Prussia would have met an early and tragic fate. But the dog hugged his master in silence.

During the 19th century, miniaturization of the breed was carried to grotesque extremes in Europe and Britain. The pathetic results were often sterile. Fortunately, by 1900, good sense again reigned. Although the two World Wars dealt harshly with the breed in Europe, good stock abounded in Canada and the USA to export, replenish and rejuvenate the Italian Greyhound.

Their current devotees sing praises of their easy care, their cleanliness, their quiet behavior. Owners are warned, however, to take care that they are not chilled. They definitely are house dogs, not candidates for kennels or cold outdoor living. Unlike most of the sighthounds, their size lets them receive plenty of exercise by following their people around the house. Their quiet demeanor invites gentle care.