Dog Breeds That No Longer Exist
Hare Indian Dog Also known as "Trap Line Dogs," this Canadian breed died out in the 19th century. Often compared to a coyote due to its agility and knack for hunting, the numbers of the dog eventually fell as aboriginal hunting methods became less popular.
St. John's Water Dog St John's Water Dogas are the little known ancestor of modern retrievers, including the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retrievers. Due to severe restrictions and taxes placed on dog ownership in New Foundland in the 19th century, the breed swiftly declined. The last pair existed in the 1980s, but were both males, therefore ending the breed.
Braque du Puy This breed of French hunting dog is thought to have garnered its name from two brothers who bore the last name "Dupuy" or "Du Puy". The breed was not as popular as other French Braques and became extinct in the 1970s due to excessive cross-breeding.
Russian Tracker Also known as the Russian Retriever, this huge dog measured about 30 inches at the shoulder could weigh up to 100 pounds. The breed disappeared in the 1800s, though the exact cause of extinction is not known.
English Water Spaniel With a lean and long-legged body, the English Water Spaniel was widely used for hunting duck and waterfowl. Referred to in two of the works of William Shakespeare, their prominence did not last long. The breed went extinct in the early 20th century due to the preference of importing St John's Water Dogs from Newfoundland as hunting companions.
Cumberland Sheepdog Remarkably similar in appearance to the Border Collie, this breed of dog hails from northern England. Once a popular shepherd dog, there is no record of the Cumberland Sheepdog after the beginning of the 19th century. Instead, the breed morphed into the Border Collie.
Techichi Similar looking to the Chihuahua, these small, mute dogs were native to Mexico in the ninth century AD. Their breeders, the Toltec people, believed the dogs possessed supernatural powers, and often sacrificed them so they could lead their deceased owner in the underworld.
Toy Bulldog A breed that existed in England in the 18th and early 19th centuries, attempts to develop this dog after proved fruitless. Though bulldogs sometimes produce dwarf-sized offspring, they tend to suffer from health and fertility problems.
Paisley Terrier With a long, silky coat, the Paisley Terrier was bred to be a companion and show dog. The popularity of the breed fell drastically towards the end of the 19th Century, as dog show judges favoured the Yorkshire Terrier and the Skye Terrier.
Coton de Reunions A bichon-type of dog, originating from the small African island of Reunion, it is believed these dogs were brought to the island from France or the Canary Islands. Reunion lost much of its commercial standing when the Suez Canal opened in 1869, causing the breed to fade away.