Ancient Dog Breeds

Guide overview

Explore dog breeds with especially old origin histories, using the historical details available for each profile.

These breeds are often discussed for especially old origins or long historical lineages.

Who this guide helps

Use this page when these are the tradeoffs you care about most.

What to compare before you choose

• Ancient origin does not necessarily predict modern temperament, trainability, or ease of living.
• These breeds are interesting historically, but daily fit still comes down to energy, independence, and care needs now.
• Use old lineage as context, then compare the present-day breed profile before treating history as the deciding factor.

Featured breeds

Carolina Dog

United States • Medium size

30–65 lbs • 12–14 years

Afghan Hound

Hound • Afghanistan • Large size

50–60 lbs • 12–15 years

Anatolian Shepherd

working • Turkey • Giant size

90–150 lbs • 11–13 years

Pharaoh Hound

hound • Malta • Medium size

45–55 lbs • 12–14 years

Ibizan Hound

Hound • Spain • Large size

45–50 lbs • 12–14 years

Basenji

Hound • Democratic Republic of Congo • Small size

22–24 lbs • 13–14 years

Greyhound

hound • Egypt • Large size

60–70 lbs • 10–13 years

Saluki

hound • Egypt • Large size

40–65 lbs • 12–14 years

Alaskan Malamute

working • United States • Giant size

75–85 lbs • 10–12 years

Siberian Husky

Working • Russia • Large size

35–60 lbs • 12–15 years

Azawakh

hound • Mali • Large size

33–55 lbs • 12–15 years

Samoyed

Working • Russia • Medium size

35–65 lbs • 12–14 years

Sloughi

hound • Morocco • Large size

35–50 lbs • 12–16 years

Xoloitzcuintli

non-sporting • Mexico • Medium size

10–50 lbs • 13–18 years

Italian Greyhound

Toy • Italy • Toy size

7–14 lbs • 13–15 years

Pug

Toy • China • Small size

14–18 lbs • 12–15 years

Chow Chow

non-sporting • China • Medium size

45–70 lbs • 8–12 years

Shiba Inu

Non-Sporting • Japan • Small size

17–23 lbs • 13–16 years

References

Reference links below include the breed pages featured here, along with kennel-club directories and standards where available.

1. American Kennel Club breed directory
   American Kennel Club
2. Royal Kennel Club breeds A-Z
   The Royal Kennel Club
3. Royal Kennel Club breed standards
   The Royal Kennel Club
4. Carolina Dog — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
5. Afghan Hound — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
6. Afghan Hound — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
7. Afghan Hound — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
8. Anatolian Shepherd — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
9. Anatolian Shepherd — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
10. Anatolian Shepherd — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
    The Royal Kennel Club
11. Pharaoh Hound — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club
12. Pharaoh Hound — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
    The Royal Kennel Club
13. Pharaoh Hound — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
    The Royal Kennel Club

Frequently asked questions