Which breed came first is difficult to identify. Many of today’s breeds have roots that date back over 4,000 years. Experts believe that the Saluki and the Basenji are among the oldest breeds, dating to ancient Egypt. Salukis were prized hunting dogs capable of running down gazelle with their long, slender legs. Basenjis, on the other hand, are shorter and cannot bark due to differences in their vocal cords. Basenji were stealth hunters, adept at stalking and ambushing prey. Basenjis also lived the high life — their barkless nature and exceptional hunting skills made them prized gifts for Egyptian pharaohs. Many are depicted in royal tombs, and some were even mummified with their owners. 

While the Egyptian breeds have the more glamorous origin story, it’s debated whether they were the first. The Akita Inu of Japan, Chow Chow of China, and Spitz of Europe may have emerged around the same time — about 4,000 years ago.

Although these ancient breeds evolved in different parts of the world, they share one thing in common: most were not actively bred for improvement by humans. They lived alongside people but were not systematically selected for specific offspring. A second wave of dog breeding began around the Greco-Roman period, continuing through the Middle Ages. The Greeks and Romans were among the first to breed dogs for war, with their breed of choice being the Mastiff. Mastiffs are massive, intimidating dogs that can outweigh a grown man — excellent war companions who fought alongside soldiers, often wearing armor and spiked collars. When Mastiffs weren’t off fighting battles they were guarding noble estates. Their sheer size made any intruder think twice before entering. 

A dog of completely different proportions also emerged during the Greco-Roman Era. The Maltese, believed to have descended from spitz-type dogs about 2,000 years ago. One of the first “toy” breeds, the Maltese was highly regarded in ancient times. Many scholars referred to them as the “Roman Lady Dog.” Unlike their mastiff cousins, the Maltese lived lives of luxury and was one of the first dogs bred purely for companionship. 

Across the globe, another breed was also enjoying royal treatment. The Pug emerged in China around 400 B.C., possibly predating both the mastiff and the Maltese. While their exact origins are uncertain, they are thought to descend from the Lo-Chiang-Sze, one of the first dogs bred primarily for appearance. Ancient Chinese breeders reportedly selected them so the wrinkles on their foreheads resembled Chinese characters.
Pugs became dogs of the Chinese dynasties and later infatuated monarchs across the globe. They lived in palaces from China to Russia and England.

As human societies centralized, two patterns emerged: the wealthy had more leisure and comfort, while the poor faced pests and squalor. This divide gave rise to a new wave of breeds from the Dark Ages through the Industrial Revolution. With the advent of firearms, hunting evolved from necessity to sport. Hunters could shoot from a distance, but retrieving their kills became cumbersome — so dogs were bred to help. Breeds like retrievers, pointers, and spaniels emerged around the 1600s to assist in this new form of hunting. 

Meanwhile, life in the crowded cities was very different. In the slums, people faced rats and disease instead of sport and leisure. Terriers, bred specifically for vermin control, emerged in the 1600s in the British Isles. Smaller than retrievers, they could live off their prey and served a critical public health role by keeping food stores safe. 

The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s marked the beginning of the modern dog breed era. In 1873, the Kennel Club was founded in Britain. Although it began with only ten members, it established the standards by which breeds are judged today and certified purebred lineages. These strict standards led to an explosion in the number of recognized breeds — from about 30 early types to over 300 modern breeds. Some of the most recognizable dogs, like the Yorkshire Terrier, French Bulldog, and Saint Bernard, became popular during this period and remain beloved today.