The origin of the hunting dog dates back to 20,000 years ago when Mesolithic man used early dogs to hunt for food, shelter, and clothing. While hunting is a sport now, and rarely used in the western world for sustenance, the old hunter’s life depended on his hunting success. 9,000 years ago the dog’s role changed; This is when cattle were domesticated and the dog was transformed from a hunter into a protector and guard. By the Bronze Age, 4500 BC, there were five different types of dogs. Pointers, Shepherds, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, and Wolf breeds. Early cave paintings from this time show that dogs worked alongside hunters, being bred for their specific job.
It was during this era that man really began to breed types of dogs to meet his needs. Dogs were bred for the specific environment and climate in which they lived, and ultimately to hunt certain types of prey. Today’s modern dog is channeling those ancient ancestors, and not only is the reason why the dog has the super nose for tracking prey, but that’s where the hunting instinct comes from. With man so dependent on dogs, this was the time when man and dog began to develop a deep kinship bond. The evolution of the dog is closely related to the evolution of mankind.
Hunting dogs were bred for specific types of hunting; Bird dogs were supposed to wash the birds and some to retrieve them from the water. Some were raised to eat raccoon trees, others to catch rodents. Every breed of dog has its purpose. With the progress and development of society, the dependence on hunting and the hunting dog has been reduced. Hunting became a hobby rather than a necessity, and the various breeds of pets were used rather than for work. Many hunters are proud of the ancestry of these hounds, though, studying the ancient origin of the breed, and striving to restore these dogs to their former purpose and glory.
Today there are hundreds of breeds that all trace their genes back to these ancient hunters. Within each type there are further subcategories based on the dog’s specific characteristics. Hounds are divided into sight or scent hounds; Gun dogs consist of retrievers, setters, spaniels, water dogs, and pointers. Curs and Lakeland terriers are subclasses of terrier. What all these dogs have in common is their millennia-old devotion to humanity.
