Blog > Tag: Infographics

There is much speculation about the origin of the Old English Mastiff, also called English Mastiff, or just simply Mastiff. The ancestors of the modern-day Mastiffs were found in what is now present-day Britain by Roman soldiers during the expansion of the Roman Empire. The Romans called these dogs Canes Pugnaces Britanniae, which roughly translated to “British Fighting Dogs.” These dogs were imported from Britain to Rome to fight in the amphitheaters and coliseums for entertainment. They were also employed as dogs of war in combat during the expansion of the Roman Empire.

Ancient hounds have existed in Irish legends, lore, and literature since the beginning of Ireland's recorded history. They were protectors of kings, defenders of life, and hunters of game up until the fifteenth century. From that point, they were used specifically to hunt wolves, a job in which they excelled. As the number of wolves living in Ireland diminished in the late eighteenth century, the need for wolfhounds dropped, as did the number of dogs. They became all but extinct during the Great Irish Famine, only to be revived by Captain George Augustus Graham in the late 1800s. Thanks in part to his efforts, the Irish Wolfhound is easily recognized as one of the tallest dog breeds in the world.

Schnauzers are renowned for their versatility and ability to be trained to do a number of jobs, from watchful family guardians to all-around farm dogs. They are intelligent, eager to learn and work, responsive to their handlers, and courageous. They make excellent family pets or working dogs. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.

Today, many organizations are out to save the English Bulldog breed by adjusting stringent breed standards that reward physical extremes (such as a flat head profile) to be less punishing and extreme. By allowing the English Bulldog to have a muzzle and less wide forequarter, the dogs are better able to tolerate heat, whelp naturally, breathe better, and generally enjoy a better quality of life. No other breed is more deserving than the English Bulldog. Responsible breeders are on board with the newer style of conformation, which, ironically, is more in line with how the Bulldog originally appeared. CKC encourages all who know and love the English Bulldog to read the English Bulldog standard and strive to apply it to their dogs and breeding stock.

The history of the Chinese Shar-Pei can be traced as far back as the Han Dynasty (200 CE), with Shar-Pei-like dogs being found on pottery dating back over 2000 years. Due to the shared demographics and geography, as well as some physical similarities, the Shar-Pei is believed to share common ancestors with both Chow Chow and Mastiffs. The ancestors of the modern-day Shar-Pei were originally used for hunting, herding, sentry work, the cruel sport of dogfighting, and even as a food source.