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Dogs have been around humans for over 30,000 years and have earned themselves the title of humans’ best friends. Since being domesticated, the species has undergone dramatic changes due to selective breeding. People have bred dogs for their advantage, sometimes causing the animals severe health problems. However, only in the 20th century did the selective breeding of dogs become more sophisticated as new methods were discovered.

What Is Selective Breeding, and When Did It Start?

Selective breeding means selecting the species with desirable traits for breeding to increase those qualities in a population. This is usually done to benefit humans and might not always be favorable to the particular animal in its natural environment.

Some of the earliest examples of selective breeding can be found more than 9,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. Humans used to breed teosinte plants, which had a large number of kernels, and this gave rise to corn. 

Why Did Humans Start Selectively Breeding Dogs?

It is believed that when humans shifted toward agricultural societies, they started selectively breeding dogs for a smaller size and more docile behavior. This was done to make living together more comfortable for humans and dogs.

Domestic dogs first emerged as early as 30,000 years ago in Southeast Asia thanks to the selective breeding of wolves. This resulted in over 450 globally recognized dog breeds today.

What Did The Original Dogs Look Like?

Many well-known dog breeds look pretty different from how they did a century ago. We compiled this list of dog evolution comparison pictures with the help of the ‘Dogs of All Nations’ book. Scroll down to see the interesting changes in these dog breeds, and let us know which one surprised you the most.

#1

Pugs 100 Years Ago

Pugs 100 Years Ago

Pugs before breeding were roughly the same size a century ago. 100 years ago, original pugs had longer legs and noses and a slimmer build. They were bred to have bigger eyes and flatter noses. Unfortunately, this led to malformed and sick pugs with breathing problems and other health issues.

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kateh_1 avatar
kate h
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pugs are such great little dogs - happy, friendly, funny and loyal. It's a shame what people have done to this breed and many others. :(

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#2

Bull Terrier 100 Years Ago

Bull Terrier 100 Years Ago

If you look at the bull terrier before and after, you’ll notice that the face has become shorter, while the jaws and the bridge of the nose have become more prominent. The body shape also became more muscular with shorter legs. This build was created explicitly so the breed could function as a fighting dog during the Victorian era.

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#3

Irish Setter

Irish Setter

Irish setters were imported from Ireland to Spain. They haven’t changed much over the years. Now, they have a longer and thicker coat colored a rich, mahogany red. They also have a slightly thinner body.

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#4

West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

This adorable dog breed hasn’t changed much. All-white terriers were selectively bred in the 19th century in Poltalloch in Argyll, which led to the development of the West Highland White. The few changes that occurred were their fur becoming a little bit longer and thicker.

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Up All Night
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The old one looked almost like a Cairn terrier. I have read that Westies, Cairns and Scottish terriers were bred together and the breed of the pup was decided at birth - by its color. Quite hilarious, if you ask any modern dog breeder.

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#5

Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog

The Old English sheepdog used to be much shaggier than it is today. Apart from that, this is one of the most consistent dog breeds from 100 years ago.

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#6

Basset Hound

Basset Hound

There are quite a few recognizable changes to the Basset Hound’s build. The hind legs became shorter, the ears became longer, their face became droopier, and their skin now had more folds.

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#7

Dobermann Dog Evolution

Dobermann Dog Evolution

This dog was originally bred in Thuringia in 1890 by Louis Dobermann. The Dobermann dog breed has a more slender build than before. Their ears used to be cropped and their tail docked, which is now illegal in many countries. They are also not as aggressive as they were before.

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#8

Dachshund

Dachshund

The adorable dachshunds you know today were initially bred to be hunting dogs during the 15th century in Europe. Today, the sausage dogs have a longer face and body. Also, a chest that’s slightly wider and hind leggies that are shorter.

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#9

Newfoundland

Newfoundland

While they appear similar, Newfoundlands were likely much smaller than they are today. ‘Dogs of All Nations’ writes that the breed weighed around 100 pounds in 1915, whereas Newfoundland males can weigh up to 150 pounds today. With so much shaggy fur, you can make different hairstyles for your Newfoundland!

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Lord Mysticlaw
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: In Disney's 1953 Peter Pan, Nana is a Newfoundland. At the time they were often used as "babysitters" because they're so gentle, but protective of their family.

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#10

German Shepherd Dog Breeds 100 Years Ago

German Shepherd Dog Breeds 100 Years Ago

German shepherd puppies and dogs have become larger. Their fur has also become longer and thicker. Their skeletons have changed, and their chests are now wider. Studies have shown that these dogs are predisposed to health conditions like arthritis because of how they have been bred in recent decades.

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Forrest McCanless
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate that modern ones' back legs have been tailored to make them appear crouching and cowed.

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R L
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Far better back in the day, much stronger and clearly meant to be a working breed. That hunched back and bow legs that some have nowadays is horrific.

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Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also have a lot of problems with their hips and backs now because of the low slope of the back 😭 I've seen working GSDs who are retired at the age of 4 years because they have arthritis and are in so much pain (at least they were allowed to retire and not forced to keep working, though).

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Up All Night
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The working type is different, though. At least in Europe, some working lines look almost like the old ones and they try to breed them to be healthy and robust.

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Coco
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The german shepperds transformation is pure evil. They are creating dogs born to live in pain. Absolutelly disgusting.

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Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Become larger" to the extent they're now replaced by slightly smaller Malinois in practically every job.

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Up All Night
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Malinois is a very beautiful dog. I hope they never change their standards.

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Autumn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their backs have become so sloped it's terrible!! It's hard to find a breeder that doesn't have dogs with sloped backs. Luckily tho I know an adorable Shepherd who has a straight back and a black coat. Gus is adorable. :)

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Dilly Millandry
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dogs like that are the ones that should be bred from - not for money but to improve the mistakes that have been bred in more recently. About time this was stomped on hard by animal welfare organisations.

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Karin Gibson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The old dog looks so much healthier.I hate that the poor hips and spines that has been bred into the german shepard. Just compare it with the belgian shepard to see the damage done to the breed.

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Karin Gibson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problems with the hips and spine has been bred into them which is a shame. They looked so much healthier 100 years ago.

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Linda Whitelock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank goodness they are starting to breed them without the sloping backs. The three I have had were all straight backed but semi coated - personally I prefer the semi long coats but not what the KC wants

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Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen champion German Shepherd dogs hardly able to walk because of the low slung rear end, a great skeletal change in the now deformed hips.

jevais avatar
jevais
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This race of dogs nowadays has trouble with their hips and backs. I wonder if breeders are trying to transform these dogs to have a giraffe sloping backs?

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Azziza
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American GSDs are horrible. They've just ruined their formerly clean lines and created these hock-walking freaks.

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naylene hess
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are working and show lines, working line does not have this in the us either

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Ula
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

German Shepherds in working lines still look more like the old ones. And they have plenty of interesting coat patterns :) But this breed is very demanding and recomended for experienced and work/sport oriented owners only.

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Christopher Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The modern breed has been ruined with their dragging legs and hunchbacks.

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Sherelyn Marie Russell
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any one wondering why the German shepherd pictured has shorter and sloped back hips it's because this is a show line German shepherd, and they have a lot of health problems with their spine hips and back leg joints hip dysplasia . They where purposely breed to look like this for dog shows to win awards at their own dogs suffering, I have a gsd and she is a healthy working line with healthy hips and joints. Sloped back and lower down hips is not natural to this breed its cruel look up photos of working line gsd vs show line you'll see the differences, show lines have a lot of problems with their joints hips and spine and develop arthritis. And they regularly require hydro therapy and injections in the joints it's very painful for them, they can't be overworked as they will cripple at such a young age. All breed to look like this for the look and standards of dog shows like crufts, just like other breeds that where breed to look a certain way just for the humans.

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naylene hess
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Theres so much variance with German shepherd the bottom is show line and the top is a working line and also a bit underweight

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Sue Clifford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could strangle who ever thought this was a good idea. These poor dogs have terrible hips because of what they did. They are the sweetest dogs in the world and they don’t deserve the pain this causes.

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okpkpkp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, we had one of these great dogs. It was 58 years ago so our dog was more like the older dog.

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Kitty Fenerty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Modern German Shepherds are now suffering with their back legs and hips. That area is usually the first thing to cause pain & suffering.

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Wonderful
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents wanted a German Shepherd but didn’t like the sloped back and hip pain that they have to deal with. They found that American shepherds are just like German shepherds but they don’t have the sloped back. Win win. Judy is almost 14 and is such a sweet girl and my parents call her my sister 😹

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Sophia Eressea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you are comparing a western german shepherd dog to an eastern one. The eastern one retains the feature in question- the hip is still at the same high as the shoulder, therefore the dog suffers less in it's final years

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Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The GS has been so f****d up by breeders who wanted that awful "ready set go" stance. There are breeders removing it and enabling these dogs to work again and lead healthy lives.

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Helen White
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember seeing that poor GSD at Crufts a few years back. Never, NEVER should have won. The poor things back sloped so much she couyld barely walk let alone run. A horrible crime against a beautiful dog. We had a GSD but we bought her from a breeder who bred specially for the police and RAF. Her dogs were fit, healthy and ev ery one had extremely low hip scores. Our Kira lived to be seventeen, a very good age for a GSD and was healthy right up the the time she died of old age.

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Gloria Hafner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

poor things get hip problems. Very painful for an owner to see the dog trying to drag itself around.

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Allison Leigh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The downward-sloping spine of the modern breed makes them almost guaranteed to have hip dysplasia.

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#11

Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier

The coat of the Scottish terrier is now much longer, softer, and has a slightly different texture. 100 years ago, their coat used to be more wiry.

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#12

Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terrier

These sporting and playful dogs haven’t changed much over the years. They have a shaggier coat and a longer face with more fur. These dogs are considered to be the largest of all terriers.

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#13

Rottweiler

Rottweiler

There have been quite a few physical changes in the Rottweiler breed. They have a shorter snout, a more robust jaw, and a different head shape. They also don't have a docked tail anymore, and their coat is now coarser than it was before.

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#14

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

Although the Shetland Sheepdog is considered a tiny dog, it has doubled in size over the years. Its fur also became longer to help it cope and survive harsh weather conditions.

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#15

Boxer Breed 100 Years Ago

Boxer Breed 100 Years Ago

Boxers are the weirdest and most adorable dogs because of their energetic personalities. This breed emerged due to the selective breeding of smaller Mastiff breeds and bulldogs. Their original body shape was altered, while their faces, which used to be longer, are more downturned. 

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#16

Great Dane

Great Dane

Great Danes are huge! These long-legged dogs used to weigh less than they do today. According to “Dogs of All Nations,” they used to weigh around 120 pounds, while today, males can reach up to 175 pounds. They also used to be used as hunting dogs.

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#17

Chow Chow

Chow Chow

These adorable fluff balls weighed around 50 pounds a century ago. Today, they weigh up to 75 pounds. In addition to this, the faces of Chow Chows have become more wrinkly. Humans bred the Chow Chow with thicker coats to be better suited for work in the snow.

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jevais
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What happened to this once beautiful dogs? Why a shorter jaw and make them so wrinkle? Stupid breeders!

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#18

Saluki

Saluki

The Salukis have become even taller than they were before. Today, they are also thinner, with longer ears and legs. These dogs love companionship and enjoy being around people.

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Which Selective Breeding Example Shocked You the Most?

Seeing how popular dog breeds have transformed over 100 years is fascinating. Although selective breeding has added many great qualities, it has complex harmful effects on some dog’s health. That’s why it is crucial not to encourage breeders to cut corners due to high demand. The best way to keep dogs safe and healthy in the long run is to adopt, not shop