Alopekis

Alopekis is an ancient Greek breed of dog. The name Alopekis means “small fox” or “fox-like” in the Greek language. The breed is mentioned by several ancient Greek and classical writers such as Aristotle, Xenophon, and Aristophanes, and is depicted in many archaeological finds such as pottery, carvings, statuettes, sculpture, and tomb monuments.

Another name used for the breed in ancient times was Κυναλώπηξ [Cynalopex, from the Greek cyn (short for kyon) = dog and alopex = fox] as the ancient Greeks believed It was created from matings between dogs and foxes. Newer traditional local names recorded include Alepouditsa (little fox), Bobis and Bouboudi (from Serres), Moropa / Venetaki (used in Crete), Zacharoskylo (sugar – dog, referring to the spotless white colour of some specimen, as well as their sweet nature, used in Skiathos) read more…

Cretan Hound

The Kritikos Lagonikos (Cretan Hound) (Greek:Kρητικός Λαγωνικός) is a hunting breed of dog from the island of Crete, in Greece. It is considered to be one of the oldest hunting breeds in Europe, with a history that goes back to 4,000 years ago.

This is a multi-talented dog that comes directly from Crete. Its excellent scent, speed, agility, and durability make it an exceptional hare hunter. Cretan Hounds also have to guard instincts as well as pastoral instincts.

The Cretan Hound is nationally recognized both in Greece and in Germany.

Greek Harehound

The Greek Harehound (Greek: Ελληνικός Ιχνηλάτης; FCI No. 214) is a rare breed of dog that only comes in a black and tan colour, originally bred as a scent hound for tracking and chasing a hare in Southern Greece.

The Greek Harehound is a scent hound with a shorthaired black and tan coat. It is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 17–20 kg (37–44 lb). Males and females should have a height of 47–55 cm (19–22 in) and 45–53 cm (18–21 in) at the withers respectively.

Head: The relatively flat skull is the same or slightly shorter than the muzzle’s length. Its forehead is generally broad.

Jaws: The Greek Harehound has powerful jaws. Its teeth should either be in a scissor or pincer bite and evenly spaced.

Eyes: This breed possesses bright brown-coloured eyes that are medium-sized. The eyes should neither be set too deep or bulging.

Ears: The ears are set high, and should hang down halfway along with the head.

Coat: The Greek Harehound has a short, dense coat that has a slightly hard texture. Its coat is usually only black and tan, yet a small white patch may be present in some individuals. No trimming or stripping is required.

Tail: The tail’s length should not exceed the point of the hock. It is set high, thick at the base and tapering by a little at the tip.

Greek Shepherd

The Greek Shepherd or Greek Sheepdog (Greek: Ελληνικός Ποιμενικός, Ellinikós Pimenikós) is a Greek livestock guardian dog that has been bred for centuries for guarding livestock in the mountainous regions of the country.

The decline of livestock farming and an increase in uncontrolled interbreeding with other dogs have altered the Greek Shepherd’s distinctive characteristics and it has been estimated that currently, fewer than 3,000 pure Greek Shepherd dogs remain in Greece. In an attempt to rescue the breed, ARCTUROS (ΑΡΚΤΟΥΡΟΣ) has been implementing the Greek Shepherd Dog Breeding Program since 1998.

Kokoni

The Kokoni (Greek: Κοκόνι) is a small domestic dog breed from Greece, only recently established as a standardized breed. The foundation stock, a general landrace of small dogs of the region, is widely found throughout the country, have traditionally been more common in urban areas, and have been a popular companion of Greeks for centuries.

The name Kokoni probably derives from the word κοκόνα kokona which is another word for ‘daughter’ in Modern Greek. In past times, the daughter’s life was mostly in and around the house, so the Kokoni dog was the ‘daughter’s dog’ or the ‘dog for the house’, unlike the hunting dogs or the livestock guardian dogs.

In some places in Greece, the word kokoni is used for any dog incapable of serious working duties (e.g., if a livestock guardian dog shows signs of fear, the shepherd calls it kokoni). In other places in Greece, the word is used for any small dog.

Molossus of Epirus

The Molossus of Epirus (Greek: Μολοσσός της Ηπείρου) is an ancient livestock guardian dog breed from Greece. The breed has been bred since the age of Alexander the Great to protect livestock from carnivorous mammals including the wolf, the European jackal and the brown bear in the mountainous regions of Greece, especially in Epirus.

The Molossus of Epirus is a pure Greek breed and is believed to be one of the main ancestors of today’s mastiff breeds.

Because of its long existence and development, the breed is extremely healthy and enduring. Few examples live outside Greece, mainly in the Balkans.

The breed is closely related to the rare Greek Shepherd and is the sole surviving remnant of the “extinct” Molossus.

The Molossus of Epirus was developed by the Molossians, a Greek tribe living in the mountainous Epirus region found in modern north-western Greece and south-western Albania. The breed was developed as a war dog as well as a livestock guardian. Later, during the classical era, Alexander the Great had been taking these dogs to his expeditions to enlarge the country’s size.