PRIMITIVE BREEDS
(texts translated in english by: Tsagaraki Athanasia
Greek Public School English teacher Graduate of the English Department of the Aristotle University -Thessaloniki)
Basenji It is also called ‘Barkless Dog ‘or it is referred to as ‘dog of Cheops’ because it was found in his grave. It is considered as the progenitor of the Terrier and comes from Congo. It is the purest breed of dog that has not cross bred with any other breeds. It is very assiduous and it cleans its coat by licking it in a cat-like manner; also, it doesn’t emit any odor. It is an exceptional tracer and retriever. Friendly and playful, intelligent and obedient it has become famous because of its rather ancient origin. It is also called ‘the thinking dog’ because it has got permanent wrinkles on its forehead. It is rather quick, and is used in dog races. Its height is 43cm. It has been used by the native people of Congo in hunting small preys and as a guardian because it has been notifying them silently about the presence of snakes and big predators. It never barks. Read more
Pharaon Hound (Kelb Tal-fenek) ‘The dog of Pharaoh’. It comes from Malta. It was bred by the British and was rescued in 1920 from extinction. In America it was officially recognized in 1983. It is used in rabbit and hare hunting. Its height is 53-56 cm and its weight 18-22 kilos. It is considered as the dog of Pharaoh, although there are certain objections on this: On one hand, the Egyptian Hound has become extinct, and on the other, the types of ancient Pharaoh dogs are 2, based on archaeological discoveries: The tall one, with height at least 70cm  and the small one with height 40-45 cm. Both types have a rather curled tail which does not exist in any of the dogs that are considered as their descendants. Some have maintained erect ears and a sleek coat. In any case, it is popular with this name internationally. Read more 
Cirneco del Etna A rather capable tracer that is used for wild rabbit hunting. According to FCI it belongs to the primitive breeds and in team 5, but for the Italians it belongs to the tracing breeds and is used as such. Its origin is ancient and its progenitors are the Cyrenaic dogs and the dogs that the Cretan people and the Phoenicians traded in the Mediterranean. It is one of the cousins of the Cretan Tracer that have maintained their ancient beauty and their appearance. Read more 
Podenco Ibicenco Another relative of the Cretan Tracer from Spain. It is bred in three varieties: small, middle sized and rough-coated. It is very successfully used in wild rabbit hunting which abounds in Spain. It is aggressive with individuals of the same breed and with strangers. It has a good sense of smell and is a fast runner. Recently, it has been mostly preferred as a companion. Read more 
Podenco Portugues It is cultivated in 2 varieties: smooth coated and rough coated and in 3 types depending on its height. The large-sized: 55-70cm. The medium-sized: 40-55cm. and the small-sized: 20-30 cm. Read more 
Podenco Canario It comes from the Canary Islands. As all Podencos, they were transported in the region by the Cretans and the Phoenicians and there they developed. It is bred in two types: the large-sized 53-64cm and the small-sized 40-45 cm. It was only recently recognized by FCI, in 1987. It is used in wild rabbit hunting. Read more 
Podenco Andaluz Another Spanish dog related to the Cretan Tracer. Of all these dogs, only the Cretan Tracer has maintained the curled tail. It is bred in 2 types: the sleek-coated and the rough-coated and in three varieties depending on size. It is used for hunting the wild rabbit and the hare. It is as frisky as all other hound dogs, also intelligent but aggressive and aloof. Read more
Norwegian Elkhound  - Norsk Elghund  An exceptional hunter of the Moose and the Polar Bear. It has an exceptional sense of smell and is extremely resistant. It can hunt its prey all day long and it will not hesitate to attack the bear, whatever the cost may be. It can bear the harshest weather and is very friendly with its owner. It is considered as the progenitor of the Spitz and its origin is lost back in the depths of centuries. Some skeletons of these animals that were found reach Stone Age. Read more 
KARELIAN BEAR DOG  A very capable, courageous and bold tracer, used in bear and moose as well as wolf hunting. In Finland, it is very widespread but rather rare out of the borders of its country of origin. It can not easily adapt to city life and prefers the freedom and the life in free spaces, protected by its thick and impenetrable coat. Read more 
FINLAND SPITS Suomenpystykorva Recently, it has been shifted from the category of hounds to the working and companion category because it is difficult to spot the difference among the Northern dogs that belong to the hunting or working category, to that of watchdogs, and that of general use. In reality, it has been an exceptional breed of tracer for bear and moose hunting. Today, it is mostly used as a companion and a working dog. Read more 
LUNDEHUND This strange Norwegian dog is a mystery for the dog loving community because it is the only dog with five fully developed three-jointed toes and one two-jointed; the fifth one is active just as the rest. The dog is also capable of completely blocking its auricular fins, thus preventing water from passing through when it swims. It is used in hunting the polar fox and especially Puffins; it climbs the precipices above the sea and it reaches the nests of those birds, it carefully captures the small ones and drops them to fall in the hands of its owner; then it climbs down carrying the nest which is made of drained sardines for its owner to take. Read more 
Canaan Dog The Palestinian native dog that is considered as the progenitor of the Collie but also of the Australian Dingo. Its height varies from 50-60 cm. and its weight from 18-25 kilos. It belongs to the category of the wolf-like dogs. It was used in hunting but it came close to extinction because of the continuous conflicts in the region. It has been rescued by the British and is bred especially in America. Read more 
New Guinea Singing Dog It is a singer because of its peculiar voice. Middle-sized, lively and with very small, erect and agile ears. Sturdy with a tail that has a fluffy edge. It is considered to be a native breed. Read more 
MEXICAN HAIRLESS DOG – Xoloitzcuintle
The word comes from “Xoloti” which means “God’s messenger” because it was used as food. Rather ancient in origin and based on mythology, we know that it was the companion of the dead in their last residence. It is bred in three varieties depending on its height: medium sized: 45-60cm. Small- sized: 35-45cm and miniature: 25-35cm. Read more

Peruvian Hairless Dog  It has been living in Peru since the era of the Incas civilization; it resembles its relative in Mexico but is more robust and very aloof. It is bred in three varieties depending on its height. Large-sized: 50-65cm with weight from 15-23 kilos, medium-sized: 40-50cm with weight 8-12 kilos, and miniature: 25-40 cm with weight 8-12 kilos. Read more

TAIWAN DOG Its height varies from 48-52 cm and its weight from 15-18 kilos. It is the native dog of Taiwan. Based on academic studies we know that it is indeed the native dog of the region which was and is still being used in hunting but also as a watchdog and as a companion. It was officially recognized in 2004 by Japan and is still being monitored. It is rather widespread in its country.Read more
 TELOMIAN  It is the native dog of Malaysia that is used in hunting, as a sheep dog, as a companion and as a watchdog. It resembles the Basenji and is rather agile; it can easily go up and down the rope scales of the native residences in order to get in. It is still not an officially recognized breed. It became popular by anthropologist Orville Elliot that studied native breeds of the region, discovered and transported these dogs to America. Their name comes from ‘Telom’ river. All dogs that are found in America today are the descendants of a single pair of such dogs. Read more
TAI  RIDGEBACK Proof of its existence was found 360 years ago. The skin in his ridge can be inverted just as happens with the Rhodesian Ridgeback. It is a powerful dog that is used in hunting and was found in an isolated region where there was no possibility for cross-breeding. It was rescued and has been bred by the Japanese. Its height reaches 56-61 cm. Read more