TOP 10 popular dog breeds, and why they were bred

Dogs are man's best friends. But it was people who raised them that way. And sometimes it happens that this is far from the case. Today you will learn that not all breeds were created as companions. Some species appeared to help in work, sports, and some as a kitchen tool.

Today we notice that the role of dogs has changed. Most take them as pets. To meet this role, some breeds were reduced, and some became more obedient. But there are also not so lucky breeds: some have disappeared due to the lack of need for them. They are simply not suitable for anything other than the purpose for which they were bred.

10. Pomeranian

Every spitz owner or person familiar with this dog for a long time notes that this breed behaves like a large dog. This is because Pomeranians were once big dogs.

For the first time this breed was bred as a sled dog in the 16th century. Initially, these dogs weighed in the region of 14 kilograms. For comparison, modern Spitz weigh from 1.4 to 3.2 kilograms.

No one knows for sure which breeds were crossed to breed the Pomeranian, but most agree that the German Spitz took part in this. The Pomeranian belongs to the Spitz class, which are the ancestors of modern sled dogs.

The role of the Pomeranian changed in the 19th century when it became a fully decorative breed. Selectively, some dogs were specially reduced in Pomerania (a historical region in the south of the Baltic Sea, also known as Pomorie). In honor of which they were named. At one time they were used for grazing sheep, but breeders continued to reduce them.

9. German Shepherd

The breed "German Shepherd" was created to protect sheep. The first dogs of this species appeared in the 1850s, when German shepherds crossed several species of dogs to create a guard to protect their flocks. They needed a strong, intelligent and fast dog with a good sense of smell.

Several shepherds have created different dogs for this purpose. In 1891, dog lovers created the Phylax community to standardize breeds in Germany. This organization collapsed three years later, due to the fact that they could not agree: to breed dogs only for work or as pets.

In 1899, Max von Stefanitz, a member of the aforementioned community, bought one of the dogs bred by shepherds. He believed that dogs should be bred precisely for work and only, and he chose this particular dog for his mind. He called her a German shepherd dog.

A little later, he created a community of German Shepherd Dogs to popularize the breed. He crossed this particular species with different breeds of herding dogs, even with relatives of wolves, to create the modern German Shepherd Dog.

8. Doberman Pinscher

The first Dobermann was bred by the German Karl Frederick Louis Dobermann. He worked as a tax inspector, night watchman and dog catcher. The first two professions were quite attractive to criminals. This fact motivated him to create a new type of dog for his own protection.

The Dobermann wanted the dog to be smart, alert, confident, courageous and always ready to protect the owner. He started his own kennel, where he crossed several dogs. Nobody knows what breeds he used. The only thing his son said was that the dog's name was Schnapp, and the bitch was Bismarck. A little later it was renamed Bisart.

Otto Geller, another breeder, later claimed that Schnapp was a mongrel. He added that in order to obtain the Doberman Pinscher, the Dobermann crossed the offspring with several other breeds, such as the Great Dane, German Shepherd and German Pinscher.

7. Twirling dog

Today trochanter dogs (or, as they were also called, chefs) no longer exist. The reason is the appearance of special braziers. The breed was bred in order to constantly twist grilled meat. This is where the name comes from. She was also called "vernepatore ker", which means "dog turning a wheel." Its scientific name is Canis Vertigus, which means a dizzy dog. In fact, it’s people’s head spinning when they watch them run.

Until the 16th century, little boys were trusted to work with the skewer. But more often it ended up with blisters on the hands. And then people bred a breed that could replace them. They connected a spit to a wheel and the dog ran around inside that wheel. And already from her run, a spit was spinning. And the cooks threw hot coal into the wheel to speed up the dog.

The skewer dog has become an important and indispensable attribute in every kitchen. And it was perceived exclusively as another kitchen tool. They worked in the kitchen every day except Sunday. But even on that day, they were not completely free: the owners took them to church to warm their feet.

The need for this breed disappeared with the invention of the brazier with a spit. Between 1750 and 1850, their numbers declined, and by 1900 the breed had completely disappeared. The skewer dog did not become decorative for one reason - many considered it rather ugly. They had short legs, small heads, and strong bodies. Most people also didn't want to be seen with this dog, as that meant they couldn't afford a brazier.

But despite the disappearance of the breed, it left an important legacy. It was the trochanter dog that led to the founding of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Henry Berg created the association after seeing several trotting dogs at a hotel in Manhattan. And their working conditions were terrible.

6. Chihuahua

The history of the appearance of the Chihuahua is somewhat confusing. It is known that for the first time this breed was seen in the Chihuahua city in Mexico, in 1800. Chihuahuas are believed to be descendants of the ancient Mexican dog, the Techichi. She looked the same, but was larger.

However, some people claim that the Chihuahua is the result of crossing a Techichi and a Chinese Crested or Mexican Hairless dog. Others say that the native country of the small dog is Italy, where its descendant is the Maltese lapdog (Maltese). It is believed that she was brought from Italy to Mexico.

The civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs bred techichi for food. Some became pets, but after the death of their owners, they were killed, mummified and buried together with the owners. It was believed that these dogs are guides to the afterlife.
In the United States, the first Chihuahua appeared in the 1880s, when tourists acquired a dog of this breed while traveling in Mexico. Since before that she was not known in the States, she was named the same as the place where she came from. That is why it is sometimes called the Arizona, Texas or Mexican dog.

5. Pug

The first pug appeared in China in 400 BC. He was not the most popular breed among ordinary people, as exceptionally wealthy and royal persons gave birth to pugs. They were symbols of high status. The emperors even hired guards and servants for the dogs to keep them safe and comfortable.
The pug was specially created as a small dog to fit on a human's lap. Due to the fact that the dog has always been near people, in the presence of a person, pugs are active and ready to show a couple of tricks.

The pug remained a royal symbol after its arrival in Japan, Russia and Europe. Some rulers, such as British Queen Victoria and Dutch Prince William the Silent, have become owners of pugs at different times.

4. Akita

Aggression was originally laid in the genes of the Akita, since the breed was bred for hunting, protecting the owners and fighting other dogs. The first Akita appeared in the city of the same name in Japan. They were named matagi, which means honorable hunter.

For centuries, the Japanese have used the Akita to hunt potentially dangerous animals such as deer, wild boars, and black bears. She also served as a search dog to find and collect game. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the breed was used in dog fights. However, it was returned to its former functions when cruel entertainment was prohibited.

3. Bull Terrier

Another breed created for dog fighting. As in the case of Akita, this is what caused the dog's aggressiveness. Bull Terriers are descendants of the Bull and Terrier breed, which were bred for the same fight of dogs and bull-baiting. And the Bull and Terriers, in turn, became a cross between an Old English Terrier and a Bulldog.

The first bull and terriers appeared in the 18th century. Over time, the breed was crossed with several other types of dogs, including the Burgos Pointer, to create a Bull Terrier. After dog fighting was banned, the Bull Terrier became more popular as a show dog, and breeders focused on his appearance rather than aggression and the number of bites inflicted on other dogs.

2. Great Dane

Since the boar has always fought back hunters, it was believed that he was the most ferocious animal in Europe. And only the strongest and most resilient dog could cope with it. The Great Dane became such a dog. He first appeared in Germany as a boar hunter. Its second function was to guard.

However, the Great Dane has been around for thousands of years. Ancient dogs resembling Great Danes lived in Egypt and China. Ancient breeders were more concerned with the effectiveness of dogs than their appearance. Therefore, they did not look as presentable as their modern descendants.

Although not confirmed, the Great Dane is believed to be a cross between an English mastiff and an Irish wolfhound. German rulers loved Great Danes so much that they used hundreds of dogs in solitary boar hunting. And although now Great Danes are brought up as softer and less aggressive dogs, they are still one of the strongest dogs.

1. Pitbull

Any list of breeds would be incomplete without the controversial pit bull. Unlike most breeds on this list, the Pit Bull was not bred as a dog breed, but rather as a generic name for several breeds. Although its appearance was intended for dog fights and bull-baiting. The Pit Bull is the result of a cross between an English Bulldog and a Terrier. They have a fairly broad head and muscular body.

Basically, the following breeds are called pit bulls: Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Boxers, American Pit Bulls and American Staffordshire Terriers. However, there are several other types of dogs that are classified as pit bulls. These dogs never became a breed, as they have no standardization. Most likely, breeders indiscriminately crossed different breeds to develop the perfect fighting dog.