Fourteen ancient breeds of dog have recently been identified through advances in DNA analysis.[1] These breeds of domesticated dog show the fewest genetic differences from wolves. The breeds are geographically diverse, including dogs from Siberia, Japan, Alaska, China, Tibet, and Africa.
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Research
DNA from dogs of 85 (mostly) AKC-registered breeds (5 individuals per breed in most cases) were tested by Parker et al.[1] This study had some surprises, especially the suggestion that three breeds – the Norwegian Elkhound, Pharaoh Hound and Ibizan Hound – are not as old as typically stated, but rather are more recent recreations of old types.[1] Also, six pairs of breeds are closely related: Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky, Belgian Sheepdog and Belgian Tervuren, Collie and Shetland Sheepdog, Greyhound and Whippet, Bernese Mountain Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and finally the Bull Mastiff and Mastiff.[1]
However, the assumption that a small sample from a single dog breed can be representative for the entire breed, is argued to be invalid by long-time repeated incidental or intentional interbreeding with local dogs, thereby gradually replacing original wolf clade elements but maintaining the original phenotype by ongoing selection for the original use and conformation.[2] This evolution can be seen also in the high proportion of European clade in Asian breeds close to Europe, like Saluki and Samoyed, while a geographically remote Nordic spitz, the Siberian Husky, does not show such a replacement of the original wolfdog structure.[citation needed] Also, as there are some 400 known dog breeds (of which the AKC recognizes 166), it is possible that an extended study would reveal additional "ancient" breeds.
Gallery of the fourteen ancient breeds
 Pekingese |
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 Shar Pei |
 Shih Tzu |
 Tibetan Terrier |
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 Shiba Inu |
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 Siberian Husky |
References
- ^ a b c d Parker, H.G.; Kim, L.V.; Sutter, N.B.; Carlson, S.; Lorentzen, T.D.; Malek, T.B.; Johnson, G.S.; DeFrance, H.B.; Ostrander, E.A.; Kruglyak, L. (2004-05-21). "Genetic structure of the purebred domestic dog". Science 304 (5674): 1160. doi:. PMID 15155949. http://www.britainhill.com/GeneticStructure.pdf.
- ^ Quignon, Pascale; Herbin L.; Cadieu, E.; Kirkness, E.F.; Hédan, B.; Mosher, D.S.; Galibert, F.; André, C; Ostrander, E.A.; Hitte, C.; (2007-12-19). "Canine Population Structure: Assessment and Impact of Intra-Breed Stratification on SNP-Based Association Studies". PLoS ONE 2 (12): e1324. doi:. PMID 18091995.
Further reading
- Derr, Mark (2004-05-21). "Collie or Pug? Study Finds the Genetic Code". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/21/science/21dog.html?ex=1400472000&en=6b49c839cde80d81&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND.
- Petura, Barbara Bradley (2004). "New Breakthrough in Dog Genetics". The Racing Siberian Husky Online & WorkingDogWeb.com. http://www.workingdogweb.com/RSH-2004-2.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
- Travis, John (2004-05-19). "Breeds Apart: Purebred dogs defined by DNA differences". Science News 165 (21). http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/5053/title/Breeds_Apart_Purebred_dogs_defined_by_DNA_differences. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
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