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European Village Dog

European Village Dog

Europe is the cradle of many dog breeds which were formed from free-breeding village dogs living in Europe for many millenia. These dogs adapted to the cold winters of Scandanavia and the hot summers of Spain, and they also, over time, found many ways to be useful to the humans they lived near. Some became hunters of everything from boar to squirrels while others became talented sheep herders, guardians, or just companions. Some of these dogs eventually became the founders of many popular dog breeds today, though most village dogs just continued living on as free-breeding village dogs even after the formation of modern breeds. Now they are found mostly in southern and eastern Europe.

Illustration courtesy of the Swedish Kennel Club

About this Breed

After dogs were domesticated in Central Asia, they quickly followed humans to Europe. Once in Europe, they spread across the entire continent, managing to find a living eating scraps and trash everywhere they went. Over time, some of them adapted to roles helping humans hunt, tend and guard livestock, and guard homes. They also changed humans wherever they went, making dog lovers of many people. Some of our most enduring myths, like zombies and werewolves, trace to European village dogs (in those cases, rabid dogs specifically).

European village dogs in Scandinavia formed the initial stock for Spitz-type dogs, while some European dogs further south were bred in recent centuries into many of the breeds we know today. However, many village dogs remained just that: free-breeding, free-spirited dogs living on the margins of human society. They continue to live in southern and eastern Europe to this day.

Like village dogs everywhere, European village dogs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and temperaments; however, they are most often tan, around 30-40 pounds, and generally friendly after their initial shyness. They often have independent spirits, but they can make for very lovely pets. After all, humans have been living with them for over 10,000 years.

European Village Dogs on Embark

Explore some Embark dogs that share European Village Dog ancestry.

  • Roma

    Roma

    Tanis

    Tanis

    Andy

    Andy

    Mažė

    Mažė

  • Leon

    Leon

    Nalle

    Nalle

    Indy

    Indy

    Olia

    Olia

  • Carmela

    Carmela

    Lily

    Lily

    Tempo

    Tempo

    Abby

    Abby

Favorite Names

For Male

  1. Oliver
  2. Charlie
  3. Jack
  4. Jake
  5. Lenny
  6. Max
  7. Miles
  8. Mogli
  9. Oscar
  10. Pepe

For Female

  1. Luna
  2. Bella
  3. Daisy
  4. Lilly
  5. Maggie
  6. Phoebe
  7. Coco
  8. Molly
  9. Pepper
  10. Zoe
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