Some dog breeds have been proven to have existed for several thousand years. Although all dogs are descended from wolves, that doesn't say anything about their genetic similarity.
Or to put it another way: Just because certain breeds have existed for much longer does not necessarily mean that these dogs are more similar to wolves than others.
However, the other way around is that very young breeds tend to have the least similarity. Below you will learn about the 32 oldest dog breeds in the world.
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#1 Akita Inu – 10,000 years
The Akita Inu is a gentle, reserved dog from Japan. Today's domestic dog was originally bred as a hunting dog. It is considered a symbol of health and happiness. [1]
The popular four-legged friend is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. He is moderately easy to train, needs a lot of exercise and has a strong hunting instinct.
It is also easy to care for and clean. The robust dog copes very well with the cold and is loyal to his family. Unfortunately, he is aggressive towards strange dogs.
Fun fact: Only good swimmers have webbed toes? None. These four-legged friends hate water. They use their webbed feet a lot more for walking on snow.
#2 Greenland Dog – 9500 years
The Greenland Dog is a four-legged friend with a wolf-like appearance. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and is primarily used as a working and sled dog. [2]
This four-legged friend is genetically related to the Canadian Eskimo dog. His nature is friendly, courageous and energetic. He barks a lot and loudly.
Its thick, double-layered fur protects it particularly well against the cold. The strong, enduring four-legged friend is not suitable as an apartment or family dog.
Fun fact: These dogs are by far the most popular in Greenland. This may just be because other breeds are banned by law in Greenland.
#3 Afghan Hound – 8000 years old
The Afghan Hound is a hunting dog from Afghanistan. It is closely related to the Saluki, but has much longer fur. The four-legged friend can reach up to 64 km/h. [3]
He is well suited as a family dog. The “Afghan” gets along well with children and other dogs. However, this oldest dog breed in the world is not recommended for beginners.
This greyhound is said to be difficult to train and has a strong hunting instinct. He also sheds a lot and needs a lot of care because he tends to smell.
Fun fact: These dogs have many names. Over time, a total of 14 official breed names have been established.
#4 Greyhound – 8000 years
The Greyhound is an intelligent, athletic four-legged friend from Great Britain. The beautiful dog is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. He needs a lot of exercise and rarely barks.
With its speed of 72 km/h, it is also one of the fastest sighthound breeds in the world. The four-legged friend can cover the first 250 meters in particular at around 20 meters per second. [4]
Nevertheless, the slim animal is well suited as a family dog. It requires little space and therefore feels comfortable even in small apartments. Even strange animals are no problem.
Fun fact: This breed is one of the absolute late sleepers. These sleepyheads spend around 18 hours a day in their basket.
#5 Basenji – 5000 years
The Basenji is a small greyhound from Africa. The four-legged friend is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and is considered almost “odor-free”. He was bred as a hunting dog.
The four-legged friend lives up to 16 years and is also known as the “African Barkless Dog”. He needs a lot of exercise and, according to a study, is considered a difficult breed to train. [5]
Basically, Basenji are stubborn and only form a bond with one person. In addition, their hunting instinct is difficult to control, so a garden fence is mandatory.
Fun fact: These dogs naturally cannot bark. But they are even better at yodeling, screaming and howling.
#6 Do Khyi – 5000 years
The Do Khyi from Tibet is a large, bear-like four-legged friend. He is also known as the Tibetan Mastiff or Mastiff. Many describe his appearance as frightening. [6]
The guard dog is not suitable for beginners and should not be kept in apartments. His watchful, stubborn nature is difficult to get under control.
This oldest dog breed in the world is also suitable for areas with lower temperatures. The hairy Do Khyi cannot tolerate heat and does not like loneliness.
Fun fact: Most specimens of this dog breed weigh between 50 and 60 kg. Some specimens also weigh an incredible 130 kg.
#7 Saluki – 5000 years
The Saluki is an alert, independent four-legged friend. It comes from the Middle East and is considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. It was bred as a hunting dog breed. [7]
On the racetrack, the four-legged friend can reach speeds of up to 69 km/h. This makes him the second fastest dog breed in the world. The Saluki is easy to train and barks little.
What is striking is its short fur and, in contrast, its particularly long-haired floppy ears. The females are much smaller than the males. They are well suited as family dogs.
Fun fact: Did you know that salukis can jump up to 2 m high?
#8 Podenco Ibicenco – 5000 years
The Podenco is a four-legged friend from Ibiza with a long snout. He sheds a moderate amount, barks little and has a very strong hunting instinct. He is moderately easy to train.
The oldest dog breed in the world is available with both short and long fur. It is controversial whether this dog is a greyhound. He hunts with his nose. [8]
The four-legged friend is well suited to keeping in an apartment. He gets along well with children and strange dogs. At home he appears calm, but outside he goes full blast.
Fun fact: Be careful, the Podenco Ibicenco tends to overheat! Like a car with a broken radiator, this dog needs regular breaks and plenty to drink during physical activity.
#9 Mastiff – 5000 years
The Mastiff comes from England and was bred to be one of the best guard dogs. The heavy four-legged friend sheds mediocrely and is only moderately easy to train. [9]
On the other hand, the large dog barks little and only has a weak hunting instinct. The Mastiff's temperament is protective and good-natured. He gets along well with children.
The four-legged friend is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and makes it into the top 29 most popular breeds. However, beginners should stay away from this powerful animal.
Fun fact: Heavy specimens of this breed weigh a total of 156 kg. That's about as much as two washing machines!
#10 Norwegian Elkhound – 5000 years
The Norwegian Elkhound was bred as a hunting dog. He specialized in moose, bears and wolves. He was also often used as a shepherd and guard dog. [10]
The diverse four-legged friend is completely black and resembles a wolf. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. First-time owners should not underestimate this dog.
The Elkhound needs strict, consistent training. Without appropriate leadership, the strong, muscular animal is not suitable for living together.
Fun fact: With this four-legged friend you should avoid expensive pieces of furniture. These dogs particularly like to gnaw on furnishings.
#11 Pharaoh Hound – 5000 years
The Pharaoh Hound is a brown dog breed from Malta. This four-legged friend is playful, sociable and very active. He was bred as a hunting dog for rabbits. [11]
This is why he is nicknamed “Hare Dog”. The four-legged friend is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. It is controversial whether the four-legged friend is a greyhound.
Contrary to the definition, he uses his sense of smell when hunting. It reaches a speed of around 56 km/h. He also barks a lot and gets cold easily.
Fun fact: Even electric fences cannot stop a hunting Pharaoh Hound from following a scent.
#12 Siberian Husky – 4000 years old
This four-legged friend has a sociable, alert side. He sheds a lot and has a mediocre hunting instinct. His energetic nature makes him less easy to train.
The Siberian Husky comes from the USA and was bred as a sled dog. Later it also became more popular as a guard and family dog. [12]
The four-legged friend, which is one of the oldest Nordic dog breeds in the world, has strong genetic similarities to North Asian wolves. He has endurance and can run for hours.
Fun fact: The Siberian Husky doesn't bark like other dogs. Instead, he howls like wild wolves.
#13 Canaan Dog – 4000 years
The Canaan dog comes from the Middle East. He is the national dog of Israel and was bred primarily as a shepherd and guard dog. [13]
The large four-legged friend is very widespread as a stray, especially in Cairo. However, you won't find this rare breed anywhere in the world. In dog packs they live in fixed hierarchies.
The animals are also among the oldest dog breeds in the world. They like to dig and bark a lot. They are partially suitable as family dogs. You need a lot of training.
Fun fact: These dogs are known for being active, especially at night. The reason for this is their origin. The midday sun in the Middle East is far too hot for our four-legged friends.
#14 Samoyed – 3000 years
The Samoyed is a gentle, adaptable dog from Russia/Siberia. He is always completely white and was previously used as a shepherd, guard and sled dog.
The large, white dog lives between 12 and 13 years old. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. He also always seems to have a smile on his face. [14]
The beautiful animal is well suited as a family dog with children. He loves activity and is considered clean. However, he sheds a lot and gets bored easily.
Fun fact: If a Samoyed lives in your four walls, tufts of white hair on the floor are part of the decoration.
#15 Alaskan Malamute – 3000 years old
The Alaskan Malamute comes from the USA and is particularly known for its strength and endurance as a sled and hunting dog. The four-legged friend barks little and needs a lot of exercise.
Nowadays, the wolf-like dog is often kept as a family dog. What is important here is early socialization of the four-legged friend. The “Mally” tends to be stubborn. [15]
It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and is difficult to train. As the owner of this dog, you should have experience and a fenced property.
Fun fact: The Alaskan Malamute hardly barks, but prefers to howl in competition with its peers.
#16 Chow Chow – 3000 years
The Chow Chow is an alert, dignified four-legged friend from China. The big dog was…