7 Historical Dog Breeds Who Unfortunately No Longer Exist

Most people are aware of the most popular dog breeds that exist today. We have Labradors, Goldens, Chihuahuas, Pugs, and everything in between. But did you know there are some dog breeds who simply don’t exist anymore?

Believe it or not, plenty of pups who once were around have disappeared with time. Luckily, we still see their legacy in the breeds of today. But let’s go ahead and take a trip through history and meet seven different historical dog breeds who were once our fondest companions.

7 Extinct Dog Breeds

Molossus

Even the name says a lot about this dog. These powerhouses of the pup world were popular in Ancient Greece and Rome around 500 B. C (making them among the oldest of breeds on this list), and served as guardians, war dogs, and of course, trusty companions. You can see tons of examples of these formidable canines in ancient art and literature, as well as see examples of their more desirable traits in descendants such as the Mastiff, the Saint Bernard, and the Great Dane.

Why did they go extinct? Well, the Molossus dogs weren’t really as necessary anymore and, let’s face it, these dogs took a LOT to raise, train, and feed. Their numbers started to decline during the early medieval period when changing warfare tactics and societal shifts away from the battlefield meant they were no longer useful and eventually they just no longer existed in their original form.

Cumberland Sheepdog

Next, let’s move over just a bit to the northern regions of England where the Cumberland Sheepdog once reigned top-dog when it came to herding and managing livestock. This breed was popular during the nineteenth century when they helped numerous farmers keep their flocks safe, secure, and heading in the right direction.

Of course, nothing good can last, and eventually, the popularity of the Cumberland fell with the arrival and rise of the Border Collie . Collies were skilled in the same areas but proved more versatile, healthier, and overall more resilient. By the twentieth century, the Cumberland was simply no more. Without any purebred individuals remaining, those who were left got consumed by other modern herding breeds until little was left but their work ethic and intelligence.

Kurī

The Polynesian Kurī was originally brought to the island of New Zealand by Maori peoples all the way back in the fourteenth century or so. Small and agile with short legs and bushy tails, these pooches were companions and served plenty of other roles from hunting to food sources. (Yep, you read that right…)

The Kurī began to see their numbers drop drastically after European settlers came onto the scene in the eighteenth century. They introduced new dog breeds who soon out-competed and out-bred them. Interbreeding and disease meant the breed’s extinction by the mid-nineteenth century, with the last remaining examples, a mother and her pup, now on display in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

St. John's Water Dog

Another long-lost pup is the St. John’s Water Dog , or the Lesser Newfoundland, which is a big name for a big breed. Native to Newfoundland, they were known for their amazing swimming abilities. They partnered with plenty of fisherman to pull boats, retrieve nets, and even find lost gear that made its way overboard.

The breed itself was popular during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. However, strict breeding regulations and crossbreeding with other water-retrieving breeds meant the St. John’s slowly faced extinction. By the early twentieth century, they were gone. Luckily their genetics live on in quite a few breeds we see today, including the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever . Both owe their love of water and skill at swimming to the St. John’s!

Bullenbeisser

Let’s head on over to Germany, where the Bullenbeisser took center stage during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These big, burly dogs were used for bull-baiting and hunting large game. They were well known for the strength, tenacity, and fearlessness, which meant they’d never quit even when other dogs might have given up.

So, with them being so popular, why did their line go extinct? It's mostly attributed to crossbreeding, with breeders trying to create a more even temperament. By the early twentieth century, the purebred Bullenbeisser was gone, but their legacy lives on in the modern-day Boxer!

Alpine Mastiff

The Alpine Mastiff came from, you guessed it, the Swiss Alps area and was remarkable for their strength and size. They were often used as guard dogs and on rescue missions in the snowy mountains. Their heavy coats, gentle demeanors, and epic tracking instincts let them find and stay with lost travelers until help arrived.

Sadly, the Alpine Mastiff's numbers dwindled due to crossbreeding with other large breeds, such as the Saint Bernard and the English Mastiff. By the late 19th century, the purebred Alpine Mastiff had disappeared. If you have the mental image of one of those big dogs with the cask around its neck, you can thank the Alpine Mastiff for being the inspiration!

Salish Wool Dog

Have you ever seen a dog sheared like a sheep? Meet the Salish Wool Dog ! Originally from the Pacific Northwest, these small, white dogs had a pretty unique woolly coat that was sheared and spun into yarn for weaving blankets and clothing. They were incredibly important to the locals, especially during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The breed started to decline when European settlers came around in the late nineteenth century and introduced sheep and other sources of wool. This, along with interbreeding with other dog breeds, meant that the Salish Wool Dog went extinct by the early twentieth century.

History Lives on in Today's Breeds

It's a little sad to sit and think about these dogs who aren't with us anymore. But we should still appreciate their stories and the legacy they leave behind. So many of these pups left their mark on history in the form of breeds we know and love. Pups today might be totally different if they hadn't once existed!

If you want to get involved in preserving the history of dog breeds, consider reaching out to breed conservation organizations or joining a local dog club. Together, we can help ensure he stories of these incredible dogs continue to be told for generations to come!