Everyone knows that dogs have been our best four-legged friends for centuries, but have you ever stopped to wonder which is the oldest dog breed in the world? This is a question that seems to be difficult to answer at first, but it is not impossible. A study conducted by Heidi G. Parker in the United States was able to identify the dog breeds that present theminor genetic differences with wolves and, from this, came to the conclusion of which are the oldest breeds that exist. See below!

1) The Basenji is a very old breed that does not bark

The Basenji dog is one of the few breeds that originated in Africa, and is also considered one of the oldest dogs in the world. It has been depicted in several cave paintings that have been found in the present-day region of Libya that date back to at least 6,000 BC.

This little dog can weigh up to 13 kg and measure about 43 cm. The Basenji is a great companion, and the breed is also well known for a rather particular characteristic: it does not bark. However, it does make other sounds and noises to get attention when it needs it.

2) Chow Chow: the dog of Chinese origin is super old

The appearance of the Chow Chow does not deny the familiarity it has with wolves. It is believed that this breed of dog appeared in China and, more specifically, during the Han Dynasty (about 200 BC). In addition to looking like a real teddy bear, the Chow Chow carries a singularity, which is the bluish or purplish color of its tongue. They are medium-sized dogs, with a height of 50 centimetersTheir personality is more reserved and territorial, requiring socialization and training in the first year of life.

3) Old dog breed: SharPei is quiet and calm

Another dog of Chinese origin is the SharPei. The breed has been depicted in clay sculptures dating back to at least 206 B.C. Like the Chow Chow, the SharPei also has a dark tongue, with shades ranging from blue to purple, and so it is believed that the two breeds have common descendants. Other than that, another aspect that draws attention to this little dog is its appearance full of features.Overall, the SharPei dog breed is a very calm and docile dog that is super loving and a partner to its humans.

4) Akita is one of the oldest breeds in the world

Still on the Asian continent, another very old breed of dog is the Akita, which originates from Japan. There are not enough records about when the little dog appeared, but it is known that an ancestor of his, called Matagi-Inu, existed between 8,000 BC and 200 BC. Therefore, the estimate is that the Akita appeared at least 3,000 years ago. The size of the breed is large, reaching up to 70 cm in heightand weigh up to 55 kg. The Akita is brave and independent, while being very attached to its owners.

5) The Siberian Husky accompanied ancient tribes

The Husky dog originated in the territory that is now known as Siberia, in Russia. It is believed that the breed accompanied the Russian Chukchi tribe for many years, so that these dogs helped to pull sleds and protected the region from invaders. With an appearance that is very reminiscent of wolves, the Siberian Husky is considered medium-sized, with a size ranging from 50 to 60 cm and a weight of 50 to 60 cm.up to 44 kg. They are easy to live with, but can be a little stubborn at times.

6) The Samoyed dog is a super gentle ancient breed

Another ancient dog breed that also originated in Siberia is the Samoyed, which has been around for about 3,000 years. These dogs had similar functions to the Husky: they helped the local tribes move around by pulling sleds and herding reindeer. The size of the Samoyed varies between medium and large, as they can be up to 55 cm tall and weigh about 30 kg. In addition, they are gentle dogsand super friendly, making them great company to have around.

7) The Saluki is more reserved and has Egyptian origins

This is definitely a very old breed of dog, with origins dating back to Ancient Egypt. The Saluki was described in Egyptian papyri around 800 BC, and has even had recognition in the United States. Guinness Book of World Records being the oldest dog breed in the world. They are slender, athletic and fast dogs, with a height ranging from 51 to 78 cm and weight between 18 to 27 kg. The Saluki dog breed is not one of the most affectionate, but they usually choose a human to be devoted to and dedicate all their love.

8) Pekingese dog is very old and resembles a little lion

From Beijing to the world, the Pekingese dog breed came from China and emerged around the 8th century AD during the T'ang dynasty. This little dog with its exuberant mane is very reminiscent of a miniature lion - it can weigh up to 6 kg and measure between 15 and 23 cm. The Pekingese is fearless, independent and very affectionate with its family, but it is important to guide it with training and thesocialization in the first months to avoid obedience problems in the future.