DOG TRIVIA

i like learning and talking about the history of dogs, and i want to share it with you!

do you want to find a certain dog? press ctrl + F and search for it!

if you want me to cover a new dog not seen here, send in a request via email.

Italian Greyhound

painting by Brett Pigon

The Italian Greyhound is a shrimpy, quick dog- originating from Italy. They came into extreme popularity by becoming the favored lapdogs of European nobles, classically sitting in a noble's embrace. Please don't let their muppet-esque faces fool you; these dogs are *not* Whippets, which are considered hound breeds- In comparison, the Italian Greyhound is not a hound, but a toy breed! Their smaller size makes them perfect lap dog companions for long couch potato sessions, along with their expressive nature.

They're even smaller than a Whippet! So much energy in such a tiny dog, too.

Pug

painting by Charles Van Den Eycken

The Pug is a small, muscular toy breed originating from China to be companion dogs for Chinese emperors. Originally a taller and longer breed, they were rarely seen outside of their home country; that is, until a barking pug alerted the House of Orange of an incoming attack from the Spanish, leading it to explode in popularity as a breed in Britian. Their round heads and expressive faces from their shorter snouts are cute, but the modern Pug's health problems are almost bigger than it's personality.

In more recent years, there are efforts in breeders to breed longer snouts and legs into the Pug, to reduce the breed's breathing and spine issues.

Whippet

painting by John Everett Millais

The Whippet is a skinny, speedy, yapping dog, orginating from Victorian England. They were bred to be smaller, and easier to manage than the larger Greyhound; this was because dog-racing was very popular at the time. It was bred for speed; keeping a whippet from it's exercise is like asking for a thunderstorm to erupt unto your household! They also have a reputation for being very noisy and nervous-looking, with a miserable face you just want to soothe and cradle.

Due to being less expensive to breed than Greyhounds, they were firstly dubbed the "poor man's greyhound"!

King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

painting by Edouard Manet

The King Charles Cavalier Spaniel was named after King Charles the 2nd, who spent more time focusing on his pet-project of breeding toy spaniels than leading his country. With a rounded flat face, silky ears, and unique patterns- they were very popular with British aristrocrats with nothing better to do than fawn over them. With a gentle, and care-free disposition, they don't typically make for the best guard dogs- hell, standing at only 13 or so inches- you could probably steal the pup, too!

Many of these royal dogs had one job: sit around and look pretty... but many KCC Spaniels love a good chase and frolic!

Dalmation

painting by Nadi Spencer

The Dalmation is well recognized for it's spotted coat, and originates from Croatia and Dalmatia. While begining as guard dogs, they had eventually become known as coach dogs in the 1800's; they would trot alongside horse-drawn coaches to guard them, as well as just being walking status symbols for the bougies.

They also sometimes work as firefighter dogs- they would run ahead of the firefighters on horses to clear the way, and they helped deter theft from the stations!

Papillon

painting by Louis Wain

The Papillion is considered a toy terrier orginating from Belgium and France. These little guys were toted around under arms and in bags, but their speed and jumping ability is incredible for their size! They're boundless balls of fur with a bloodlust for living.

Their massive "butterfly-fringe" ears are their signature look... get a load of those ears!

Beagles

painting by John Emms

The Beagle is a small, scent hound, orginating in England. At first, they were bred to sniff out hares! Now-a-days, they are used as detection dogs, for their incredible sense of smell. Their simple splotchy pattern and adorable floppy ears have led them to be a very popular breed.

Using a pack of little beagles to hunt for hares and rabbits was known as "beagling"! You think they still use that term today?

English Pointers

painting by Charles Oliver De Penne

The English Pointers, obviously originating from England, are pointing dogs! They get this name from "pointing" or freezing to a halt when they catch scent of where the prey is, so that their owner can chase or shoot it from its cover. Usually, they hunt and sniff out fowl, or birds hiding in tall grass; this is a great thing for a dog to do, as they can smell it before it can fly away!

They weren't lying; they are pointers and English!

Podenco

painting by Manuel Benedito

The Podenco is a breed originating in the Canary Islands, Spain; many of this unique hound still live on these islands. They are a hunting dog, with lots of expertise in high speed chasing and agility! These dogs and their agile nature led breeders to breed Grande, Medio, and Pequeno varities of this dog; with each size better suited to take on larger or smaller prey. Some variants such as the Portuguese Podengo, are hairier and more wiry to better suit different enviroments with their owners.

Hailing from a set of islands leads to them being refered to as exotic dogs, but that's just called being stranded castaways.

Wire Fox Terrier

painting by Arthur Wardle

The Wire Fox Terrier is a breed originating in England, for the job of hunting foxes, badgers, and even boars. They would be carried around in saddle-bags, and then released to chase after foxes to their dens. It worked because they were small enough to easily tote around by huntsmen, and they could squeeze into fox dens to drag out a fox. They're very similar to Smooth Fox Terriers; these guys just have mustaches.

Despite their small size, these guys are *not* lap dogs! They live to chase after things!

Borzoi

painting by Frederico Olaria

The Borzoi is a breed originating in Russia, for the task of hunting wolves. Their strategy involved keeping sight of the wolf and keeping pace with it, which is why Borzois are also called "Russian Hunting Sighthounds". Their long snouts would give more room for biting, and their long coats would protect from the cold. They look very silly if you get all that curly fur soaked.

At first, Borzois were caled Borzáya sobáka, literally meaning 'fast dog'!

Spanish Mastiff

painting by Diego Vélazquez

The Spanish Mastiff is a breed that originated in Spain for the task of protecting and herding livestock. With their powerful and muscular bodies and deep auidble barks from a distance, these dogs are very popular herders. They're big boys with big jobs.

Herders would have one Spanish Mastiff to watch over every 100 sheep in their herds!

Dachshund

painting by Adolf Eberle

The Dachshund is a breed that originated in Germany for the task of hunting badgers. With its short and narrow body, Dachshunds can easily follow badgers into their dens. These dogs can alert the hunters to the badger's location underground with their shrill, loud barks!

With such a unique shape, Dachshunds are often refered to as "Weenie Dogs"!

Saint Bernard

painting by John Emms

The Saint Bernard is a breed that originated in Switzerland for the task of working at monasteries and as rescue dogs. Their large, cold resistant bodies, along with their gentle giant nature makes them incredible at alpine rescue! Nowadays, they no longer perform rescues, with the last known rescues being in 1955. Because of their big jowels, these guys are notorious droolers.

These dogs got their modern name from the Great St Bernad Pass; they were first called "Saint" or "Barry" dogs.

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