7 Extinct Dog Breeds That May Be in Your Pup’s DNA

Dogs have been sharing the earth with humans for tens of thousands of years! Ever since we first started bonding, our furry companions have traveled with us across continents and performed a variety of important jobs. Many breeds have faded from existence over the millenniums, but their traits still survive in canines today. Let’s explore some of the most impactful extinct dog breeds that have helped shape today’s pups. 

Why Do Dog Breeds Go Extinct? 

Like many animals that have not survived the test of time, it’s clear why some dog breeds became obsolete while other extinctions remain a mystery. These are some of the most prominent reasons breeds have gone extinct. 

Limited geographic range: Breeds that are concentrated in small, isolated pockets of the world may have difficulty spreading their genes more broadly. As populations dwindle, inbreeding often increases—leading to potential genetic defects and lower breeding success rates. 

Changes in human needs: People have domesticated dogs for millenniums, relying on our furry friends for tasks like herding, hunting, rescuing, sled pulling, and guarding. As these needs change, the way we breed dogs also changes. Some breeds have been crossbred with other dogs to develop stronger and more specialized varieties, while others have petered out as their popularity dwindled. 

Disasters: Both natural disasters (such as earthquakes, floods, or droughts) and human-induced disasters like wars may lead to extinction. While these events are not common, they can swiftly diminish local dog breed populations. 

Extinct Dog Breeds That Influenced Modern Breeds 

Many extinct dogs have a lasting impact on today’s canine community! Here are seven breeds whose genes live on in contemporary dogs. 

#1: St. John’s Water Dog 

Versatile and athletic, the St. John’s Water Dog served a wide range of roles well into the twentieth century. This breed was likely the descendant of English, Irish, and Portuguese working breeds and arrived on Canadian shores with fishermen during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. They were employed to fetch birds, retrieve fish, guard homes, and even pull sleds. 

St. John’s Water Dogs were hard workers, but they proved a bit too small to carry out these arduous tasks as effectively as other breeds. Some were eventually bred with mastiffs to make their offspring bigger and stronger, becoming progenitors to today’s Newfoundland dogs. 

#2: King’s White Hound 

Known as Chien Blanc du Roi in its native land, the King’s White Hound was cherished among French royalty for hundreds of years. Rulers spanning from King Francois I (1494–1547) to King Louis XIV (1638–1715) kept these dogs as pack hunters, according to National Purebred Dog Day. 

Though popular with French nobility, the King’s White Hound never maintained a population large enough to expand the breed’s range. These dogs appear to have gone extinct shortly after Louis XIV’s reign in the eighteenth century, although they are believed to be an ancestor of the modern Billy dog breed. 

#3: Talbot 

This ancient extinct dog breed dates all the way back to the Middle Ages! Hailing from eighth-century France, the Talbot was employed to track thieves and assist soldiers on the battlefield, according to National Purebred Dog Day. They later made their way to Britain during the reign of William the Conqueror and are believed to have existed until the late eighteenth century. Talbots were so dearly appreciated in the medieval era, they were often depicted on coats of arms, according to the BBC. 

If their large bodies, sensitive noses, and floppy ears remind you of some more familiar breeds, it’s not a coincidence! Talbots are thought to be predecessors to breeds such as Beagles, Bloodhounds, Boxers, and Basset Hounds. 

🐕 Related:10 Fascinating Dog Evolution Facts 

#4: Alpine Mastiff 

The high peaks of the Alps have been notoriously treacherous to pass throughout the ages, but the aptly named Alpine Mastiff was specifically bred to navigate these cold, rugged mountains. Augustinian monks employed these dogs to help find Alpine travelers and bring them to safety, according to the National Gallery of Art. Similar in size and appearance to today’s English Mastiff, Alpine Mastiffs were favorites in Europe until their extinction in the early nineteenth century. 

Modern Saint Bernards and Mastiffs owe their existence in part to these burly dogs, who were often crossbred with other mountain dogs. This extensive crossbreeding strategy ultimately led to the Alpine Mastiff’s extinction. 

#5: Molossus 

You might be familiar with some fabled warriors of ancient Greece, but there’s one furry fighter many of us don’t know about: the Molossus! These millenniums-old dogs served as hunters, guards, and soldiers for the Greeks, using their immense strength and stature to intimidate others. It was said that the Molossus was so large, they could stand up to six feet tall on their hind legs and weigh up to 200 pounds, according to Hepper. 

Many years of crossbreeding with other dogs ultimately drove the Molossus to extinction, but some of their strongest traits helped shape an array of contemporary furry friends. Mastiffs, Great Danes, Shar Peis, and Bull Terriers are just a few modern breeds that are believed to be their descendants. 

#6: Paisley Terrier 

Like many terriers, these little dogs packed big attitude into a small body! Paisley Terriers are thought to have been first bred in Scotland as show dogs, flaunting their silky blue and tan coats. Despite their elegant appearance, these dogs could also reportedly kill rats when necessary, according to Country Life magazine. Unfortunately for Paisleys, their popularity waned in the twentieth century as they were gradually replaced by similar, more popular breeds. 

The Paisley is considered a direct ancestor of one of the most well-known terriers today: the Yorkie. Unlike their predecessors, Yorkies achieved admiration around the world and continue to be one of the best lap-sized companions you’ll find! 

#7: Tesem 

Featured on Egyptian tomb art dating back to about 3000 B.C., the Tesem is among the most ancient extinct dog breeds known to exist. Early paintings characterize these dogs as long, lean animals with pointed ears—not too different from modern-day Greyhounds. Tesems especially thrived in their ability to spot prey. In fact, they were one of the first specialized sighthounds in the world, according to Dogs: the Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. 

While the Tesem’s exact time of extinction is difficult to pinpoint, it is believed that they are the ancestors of Basenjis and Ibizan Hounds. Both of these breeds are ancient in their own right, with histories dating back thousands of years! 

Extinct But Not Forgotten 

These extinct dog breeds no longer roam the planet, but their heritage survives to this day. Whether you have a jumbo-sized pooch or a little lap dog, there’s a whole line of ancestors that helped shape their looks, skills, and personalities. 

Did you know all canines are direct descendants of the gray wolf? Check out these dogs that look like wolves!