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Chihuahua
Mexico
The Chihuahua, the smallest dog in the world, is named after the Mexican state
of Chihuahua, where its type probably originated at least 9,000 years ago.
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Newfoundland
Canada
The Newfoundland, a gentle giant of a dog, arose in the rugged conditions of
eastern Canada, where it is known as a champion work and rescue dog. In 1919, a
Newfoundland famously pulled 20 shipwrecked sailors to safety in a lifeboat.
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Saluki
Yemen
The saluki is thought to take its name from the ancient city of Saluk in Yemen,
where its early ancestors probably originated. Prized for its speed, this breed
type once roamed a wide swath of the Arabian Peninsula and northern Africa.
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Dogo Argentino
Argentina
The Dogo Argentino, or Argentine mastiff, is a cross between big dogs like the
great dane, and fighting dogs like bulldogs. An Argentinean doctor and his
brother, wanting to breed the perfect dog for their country's hunting and
sporting traditions, developed the Dogo Argentino in the 1920s. This breed is a
good example of the continuing evolution of dog breeds worldwide.
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Alaskan Malamute
Alaska
This is the Alaskan malamute, an arctic sled dog named after the Mahlemut tribe
of the breed's native Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska. Bone and ivory
carvings dated to 20,000 years ago show ancient malamutes almost identical to
today's breed.
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Afghan Hound
Afghanistan
The Afghan hound is an ancient breed whose modern relatives arose in
Afghanistan. The breed's earliest ancestors probably lived in Iran and Egypt as
well. This dog has an unusual body shape, which it gets from uniquely wide
hipbones that allow it to swiftly traverse Afghanistan's uneven, rocky terrain.
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Basenji
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The basenji is a central African dog native to the Congo region. This breed
does not bark but rather makes yodel-like noises. The modern basenji's
ancestors were probably pariah dogs, meaning they were domesticated dogs that
interbred with wolves and jackals and lived in packs on the outskirts of
villages, a behavior still common among non-domesticated African basenjis.
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Greyhound
Egypt
Since the Egyptian Fourth Dynasty (circa 2575-2467 B.C.) and likely before, the
greyhound has been known as a graceful and speedy animal, perhaps the fastest
dog on Earth.
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Shar-Pei
China
The shar-pei, which translates to "rough, sandy coat," is a unique-looking
breed native to the small village of Tai Li in China's Kwantung Province. The
breed has existed in the southern provinces of China since at least the
beginning of the Han Dynasty (c. 200 B.C.).
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Australian Cattle Dog
Australia
The Australian cattle dog is an outback breed tracing back to the now-extinct
black bobtail, an Australian herder that was slow and clumsy. It was bred with
the more agile, sheepdog-like Australian kelpie, the dalmatian, the Smithfield,
and the dingo, among others, to hone its ideal shepherding skills.
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English Springer Spaniel
England
The English springer spaniel, a beloved pet and hunting dog, was bred to
"spring" from cover and rouse prey so that the spaniels' masters could strike.
"Springing spaniels" are in an ancient category of dogs that probably
originated in Spain, but the earliest such breeds are now extinct.
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Japanese Chin
Japan
The Japanese Chin, with its flat face, probably shares a common ancestor with
other similar regional dogs, including the Pekingese and the pug. These dogs
were once so revered that they commanded their own staffs of servants in the
Japanese court, who, among other things, would fan them in hot weather.
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Dachshund
Germany
In its native Germany, "dachshund" means "badger dog." The modern dachshund
derives from the oldest breeds of German hunting dogs and, like its ancestors,
is a fearless and fierce badger hunter despite its small stature.
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Borzoi
Russia
The borzoi has been known in Russia since at least the 17th century, when it
was the favored breed of the Czar. It probably originated from a cross between
a greyhound-type dog and a wolfhound. The result was a dog that was made for
speed (with its aerodynamic face) and well suited to cold weather (with its
full coat).
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