9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - old bluetick dog skin fold ss192929357

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9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us

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With over 470 million dogs cherished as pets across the globe,1 it’s surprising to realize that some breeds have sadly become extinct.

These dog breeds were once cherished companions and skilled workers, whose lineages have been lost to the annals of time.

1. Alpine Spaniel (Switzerland)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - alpine spaniel wc
Image Credit: Samuel Augustus Mitchell, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Known for their curly hair and role in mountain rescues, this breed sadly vanished due to crossbreeding and the decline of their traditional role in the Swiss Alps.

2. Cordoba Fighting Dog (Argentina)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - cordoba fighting dog wc
Image Credit: Capoxc2, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bred for dogfighting, this fierce breed ultimately met its end when the gruesome sport was outlawed. Their aggressive tendencies also made them difficult to manage as pets.

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3. Molossus (Ancient Greece)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - molossus dog wc
Image Credit: Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

They were primarily used as guard and war dogs by the Molossian tribe due to their strength and aggression. While the original Molossus breed is extinct, their bloodline is believed to have contributed to the development of several modern breeds, such as the Neapolitan Mastiff. 

4. English White Terrier (Great Britain)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - white english terrier wc
Image Credit: Unknown author, photograph taken in 1891, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Popular in the 19th century, this all-white breed was plagued with genetic health issues, including deafness and behavioral problems, leading to their decline.

5. Hare Indian Dog (Canada)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - hare indian dog wc
Image Credit: Stonehenge (John Henry Walsh), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Originally bred in northern Canada, they were skilled hunting dogs used by indigenous peoples. This breed suffered due to habitat loss and interbreeding with European dogs brought by settlers.

6. Old English Water Spaniel (Great Britain)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - old english water spaniel wc
Image Credit: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Once a favored gundog, this breed’s popularity waned with the rise of other sporting dogs, and their numbers dwindled until they ultimately disappeared.

7. Russian Tracker (Russia)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - russian tracker wc
Image Credit: Edward from boston, usa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used for tracking and hunting wolves, this large breed fell out of favor as hunting practices changed and their specialized skills were no longer in high demand.

8. Tweed Water Spaniel (Great Britain)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - tweed water spaniel wc
Image Credit: John Carlton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This curly-coated retriever was a skilled swimmer and popular companion, but it eventually became absorbed into other retriever breeds, contributing to its extinction.

9. The Talbot (England)

9 Dog Breeds That Once Roamed Earth But Now Are No Longer With Us - talbot dog wc
Image Credit: English: Unknown painter in 16th centuryFrançais : Peintre inconnu du XVIè siècle, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

They were used as scent hounds for hunting in England during the Middle Ages. It is believed that they were bred into other breeds, such as the Beagle and Bloodhound, contributing to their disappearance as a distinct breed.

The extinction of these nine dog breeds reminds us of life’s impermanence and the need to protect genetic diversity. Though gone, their legacy endures in modern breeds’ DNA and historical records.

Source:

  1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1044386/dog-and-cat-pet-population-worldwide/
davin
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.