How the 16 most popular dog breeds in the world have changed in 100 years

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Breeders worked tirelessly to ensure that there were a great many breeds of dogs of all sizes, shapes, fatness, fluffiness and "cuteness" in the world. There were times when all these dogs looked a little different. Some breeds have undergone minor changes, while others are simply unrecognizable! Let's take a look at what were the most popular dog breeds a century ago.

Dogs have coexisted side by side with humans for more than three tens of thousands of years. During this time, these animals have become our best friends. Of course, since those distant times, as dogs were domesticated, their appearance has undergone simply dramatic changes. All this happened due to selective breeding. The most offensive thing is that people have always been guided exclusively by their own mercantile considerations. Breeders have made a variety of changes to the breed, both physical and mental. However, they did not pay any attention to the fact that many of these changes cause not only discomfort in dogs, but provoke serious health problems.

In the progressive 20th century, this process became many times more complicated, as new, more progressive breeding methods were discovered. The result is what some of the most popular dog breeds look like today. Their appearance can be very different from what they were just a century ago.

# 1 Pug

These incredibly cute dogs are now about the same size as a century ago. The difference is that earlier the animals of this breed had much larger eyes. Their noses were flatter. To the greatest regret, this gave the animals a lot of trouble not only with breathing, but also created many other health problems.

# 2 Bull Terrier

Once upon a time, this breed did not look as repulsive as it does now. Although everyone has their own preferences. The Bull Terrier's muzzle has now become much shorter, and the jaws and bridge of the nose have become much wider. The shape of the dog's body has become more muscular, and the legs are shorter.

# 3 Irish Setter

The Irish Setter breed, as can be seen from the photographs, has not changed much during this time. The only exception is that now these dogs have a thicker and longer coat. The animal's body has become thinner.

# 4 West Highland White Terrier

This breed looks equally cute now and a hundred years ago. During this time, this breed has undergone very minor changes. At first glance, it is only noticeable that now the animal's coat is thicker and longer.

# 5 Old English Shepherd

In the last century, the Old English Sheepdog was clearly much more shaggy. In addition to this aspect, the appearance of the animal has practically not changed over the past 100 years.

# 6 Basset hound

The Basset Hound, as a result of a hundred years of selection, has acquired shorter hind legs and much longer ears. Their snouts have also become shorter, and their skin now has a lot more folds than there were before.

# 7 Dachshund

This dog has gotten even longer! The dachshund has lengthened both the muzzle and the body. In addition, the dog's chest has become slightly wider, and the hind legs, on the contrary, are shorter.

# 8 Doberman

The Doberman's body shape has become more slender. The dog's ears have also changed somewhat over the years. In addition, this breed is now not as aggressive as it was a century ago.

# 9 Newfoundland

Although at first glance they seem quite similar in the picture, the Newfoundlands used to be much smaller than they are today. The Dogs of All Nations publication writes that in 1915 this breed weighed somewhere around forty-five kilograms, whereas today Newfoundland males can weigh up to seventy kilograms.

Fun fact: In Disney's 1953 Peter Pan, Nana is a Newfoundland. At that time, they were quite often used as a "nanny" because they are so gentle, but at the same time able to protect their family.

# 10 German shepherd

Over the past 100 years, German Shepherds have grown larger and their fur is longer and thicker. The skeleton has also changed slightly, and the chest of these majestic dogs has become much wider.

# 11 Scottish Terrier

Now this breed has a much longer coat. In addition, it has become fluffier and softer. But before the fur of the Scottish Terriers was quite tough.

# 12 Rottweiler

As you can see from the photographs, Rottweilers no longer have a docked tail (which is good news for animal rights activists). In addition, their coats are now coarser than they used to be.

# 13 Airedale

These incredibly cute dogs have hardly changed over the years. Now they just have become more shaggy, even their elongated muzzle has become more "woolen".

# 14 Shetland Sheepdog

The size of this dog has almost doubled over the past hundred years. The coat of the Shetlad Sheepdog has also become longer.

# 15 Boxer

The body shape of the boxers has clearly changed, according to the breeders, for the better. The muzzles of these dogs used to be longer than they are today and are slightly pulled down.

# 16 Great Dane

This majestic long-legged breed used to weigh less than it does today. According to Dogs of All Nations, before their weight was about fifty-five kilograms, and today males can reach eighty kilograms.

# 17 Chow-chow

These incredibly adorable clumps of fur weighed about twenty-two kilograms a hundred years ago. Today they weigh nearly thirty-five kilograms. In addition to this, Chow Chow faces are now more wrinkled.

# 18 Saluki

These dogs are even taller than they were before. Plus, they're thinner today as well. Animals have longer ears and have become much longer legged.

Someone spends insane money on the most popular breed, while someone prefers to save the animal from the street. Read our article on 20 celebrities who rescued stray animals by taking them home