Dogs have accompanied humans for thousands of years, and the question of which breed is the oldest has always concerned scientists and cynologists. Thanks to new archaeogenetic research it was possible to establish with high accuracy that the oldest of all known is the Greenland sled dog, known as Qimmeq. This discovery has become a real sensation in the world of science, because it not only sheds light on the history of dogs, but also helps to understand how closely they were connected with the life of ancient peoples.
Origin of the Greenland sled dog
The Greenland sled dog was formed in the territories of Northern Eurasia and the Arctic about 9,500 years ago. Its ancestors lived near people who settled the harsh regions of Siberia and Greenland, and even then they were used for transportation of goods on sledges, assisted in hunting and guarded dwellings. This breed has retained a unique genetic inheritance: scientists have proven that for thousands of years it has had almost no intermingling with other dogs or wolves. Because of this isolation, the Qimmeq is considered one of the purest breeds in the world.
Scientific research
A team of geneticists analyzed dozens of DNA samples from both modern Greenland dogs and ancient remains found in the permafrost. The results confirmed the unique stability of the breed, which has remained almost unchanged since the Stone Age. This allowed scientists to declare that it is the Greenland sled dog that is the oldest known breed that has survived to our time.
These dogs were indispensable companions of the Inuit, helping them survive in extremely harsh climatic conditions. They pulled heavy sleds, withstood the bitter cold and together with people became part of the great history of Arctic exploration. For the Inuit culture, the Qimmeq is a true symbol of strength, endurance and mutual support between man and dog.
Other ancient breeds
Although the Greenland Sled Dog is officially recognized as the oldest breed, there are other ancient representatives in the world. Among them are the Saluki, depicted on the bas-reliefs of ancient Egypt, and the Cretan hound, known since the Minoan civilization. However, their origins are known within a few millennia, while the history of the Greenland sled dog goes back even further.
Contemporary challenges
The population of Greenland sled dogs has declined rapidly in the 21st century. Where once there were more than 25,000 of them, today there are only about 13,000 left. This is due to global climate change, urbanization and the loss of sled dog traditions. Therefore, the preservation of this breed has already become a matter of cultural heritage for all mankind.
The discovery of the oldest breed of dog was an important step in the study of the history of animal domestication. The Greenland sled dog is a living witness to the fact that man and dog have traveled for millennia side by side, overcoming the harsh challenges of nature.
