There are over 200 different breeds of dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes like humans but the breed of the dog constantly changes. A change in physical stature and characteristics could be caused by their environment but in most cases it is due to intentional breeding improvements. Although some of the changes can benefit the breed other changes could be not as helpful. Almost all breeds have developed a special look based on their function.
Let's look at some breeds that have changed over time.
Chinese Shar Pei
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Known for its loose skin and wrinkles, the Chinese Shar Pei originated in China. The name “Shar Pei” means “sand skin” and refers to two distinctive qualities of the Shar Pei coat, roughness and shortness. Another distinctive characteristic is having a blue black tongue. The dark coloured tongue made these guard dogs look more ferocious and some even thought the dark tongue warded off evil spirits when the dog barked. Traditionally, the Shar Pei had close to no wrinkles but over the years they were bred to have many wrinkles to protect them from other dog attacks. Their wrinkles have extended beyond the face, toward their chest, and slightly to their front legs. Some breeders today are trying to reverse the breeding process and restore the traditional look of Chinese Shar Pei.
Neapolitan Mastiff
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The Neapolitan Mastiff derives from the traditional hunting and guard dogs of central Italy. Mastiffs are characterized by having loose skin and wrinkles. The Mastiff breed were used for a number of purposes which include hunting and guarding. The Italian Mastiff has become almost unrecognizable. Neo Mastiffs were once large, agile, and very powerful dogs. While they are still large and powerful, they now have more health concerns.
German Shepherd
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The German Shepherd is a medium size dog that originated in Germany. This breed was internationally recognised after World War 1 as returning soldiers spoke highly about the breed. This breed is specifically known for their police work from directing drugs to finding criminals. Traditionally the German Shepherd is around 55 pounds while now they can weigh anywhere between 75 to 95 pounds. The breed now has more of a slope back which is prone to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a condition where the keg bones do not fit properly into the hip socket.
One of the reasons dog breeds have changed is because breeders are constantly breeding to the standard.
Most popular breeds over the decades
1900s: The Collie
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Collies are extremely smart and intelligent dogs. They were strictly working dogs up until the 20th century which makes them very good listeners and not hard to train.
1910s: The Boston Terrier
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The breed originated around 1875 and they are the first non sporting dog breed. They are also known for their big heads.
1920s: The German Shepherd
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German shepherds were farm dogs used for herding in the 1890s, and then later on worked with the soldiers during World War II. They are a popular choice for police and firefighter work, mostly because they’re smart and easy to train.
1930s: The Boston Terrier (again)
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The Boston terrier has remained a top-ten most popular breed since the 1890’s. Due to the Depression in the 1930’s, many people couldn’t afford larger dogs, so the most common breeds were small or medium sized.
1940s: The Cocker Spaniel
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A cocker spaniel named My Own Brucie took Best in Show in 1940 and 1941 and appeared on the cover of Life Magazine, catapulting the breed into popularity.
1950s: The Beagle
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Charlie Brown and his pet beagle Snoopy debuted in 1950, perhaps the reasoning behind the breed’s sudden popularity in the 1950s. However, they were originally imported from England starting in the 1860s. They stayed in the list of top-ten most popular dog breeds from 1953 until 1959.
The 1960s through 1970s: The Poodle
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Poodles originated in Germany and were called “pudels,” but they eventually were named the National Dog of France. The word “pudel” means “to splash in water,” which is fitting since they were bred to hunt and retrieve ducks in the water, and their fur was meant to keep them warm while swimming.
1980s: The Cocker Spaniel (again)
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Disney’s Lady and the Tramp may have made the breed popular when the film came out in the 1950s, but there was a resurgence in the 1980s, and they continue to be popular today.
1990s through 2020: The Labrador Retriever
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The Lab has remained the number one most popular dog breed for the last three decades because they are outgoing, easy to please, and make great service and assistance dogs. They were founded in Newfoundland when small water dogs were bred with Newfoundland's to produce what was then called a “St. John’s water dog.” The breed dates as far back as 1878.
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