History
Pelasgian dog
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Origin:
from the Neolithic years to the Bronze Age
The domestication of the dog in Greece dates back to the pre-ceramic Neolithic era, which began locally in the 7th millennium BC. There are also important indications from the first Late Paleolithic and Early Neolithic settlements in Askitario, Makrigialos Pieria, Promachon, Sesklo, Dimini etc., as well as in Bulgaria [Topolnica], and other sites in Serbia, that support the hypothesis of a local dog domestication event in the area, between the ninth and the seventh millennium BC.
Bones of small-size canines such as those described as "peat dogs" (Canis familiaris palustris, literally from the Latin palustris: swamp) were found in the older strata of these settlements. The fact that these finds are much older than the corresponding Central European ones, allows the reasonable assumption that the ancestor of the European Spitz-type dogs (considered to be Canis familiaris palustris Rütimeyer ) did not first appear in Central Europe but in Greece and the Balkans. This is something that can now and must be examined in the laboratory, by studying the Alopekis genetics & DNA.
The oldest depiction comes from the late-Paleolithic / early Neolithic era (3000 BC, Neolithic Greece). It is an engraved pith from Thessaly with the characteristic outline of the Alopekis, located in the Archaeological Museum of Athens. This finding places the Alopekis as a phenotype in the same historical period and geographical area as the Pelasgians. It is the oldest depiction of a dog in Greece so far. A similar artifact was also found in the Askitario settlement of Rafina and dates from the Early Bronze Age (2500-2100 BC).
Large pith with an engraved representation of a dog, third millennium BC, Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Classification
According to the most widely accepted classification (the Federation Cynologique Internationale / FCI system), the Alopekis phenotype is classified among the primitive dogs: they have erect (or semi-erect) ears, a wedge-shaped head, normal teeth occlusion (scissor bite), and a mesomorphic, symmetrical construction - body type, with a tail forming an arc or semicircle. Their body is robust and their morphology indicates a natural - archaic type of dog, ancestral/archetypal of the later Central European spitz and terriers of small-medium size. The Pomeranian dog, mentioned as a descendant of dogs from ancient Dalmatia - Illyria and the island of Melita (Mljet / Mliet ) in the Adriatic [5], which was Greek until the 12th century, is probably a descendant of Alopecides and Melitaia Cynidia (the small dogs from Melitus).
The hunting ability of Alopekidae is an additional indication of a relationship with the small primitive dogs of this category [fifth group, Spitz & Primitive Dogs, subgroup six, Primitive type, in the classification of the FCI), which were cultivated in other Mediterranean regions after the flourishing of the Greek colonies (Second Greek colonization) in southern Italy, Sicily, Malta, Cyrenaica, Corsica, the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands [the name of the small coniller de menorca or Ca de conills, developed in the Balearic Islands, which the ancient Greeks called Gymnissia & Pityouses (pine) islands, derived from the Greek word for rabbit (κόνικλος), is indicative].
This hypothesis is further supported by the existence in Crete of a small type similar to the mainland Alopekis, in morphology and uses, as a hunting and utility dog, which in modern times is called Venetaki (probably from Latin: venaticus = hunting, as Crete was under Venetian occupation from 1212 to 1669). In ancient times this dog was probably identical to the type called Cynomolgus (cynomolgus = dog that suckles (milking/suckling) in the "Onomasticus" of Pollux (2nd century AD).
It is possible that they share their origin, along with the Cretan Hound, from the smaller and lighter Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis) and perhaps even from the southern subspecies Canis simensis citernii, rather than from the ancestral species of the larger and heavier Grey Wolf (Canis lupus).
Opposite: Terracotta askos in the shape of an Alopekis-type dog, Boeotia, Greece, 2nd-1st century BCE.
Type & peculiarities
The Alopekidae represent a type that dates back to the pre-specialty era, as they combine predatory, pastoral and protective instincts and other primitive features of morphology and behavior. The excerpt from Ktesias, mentioned by Pollux, about the Cynamolgus dogs of Crete is particularly interesting, as it refers to dogs that coexisted with buffalo/cattle herds, suckled on cows and competed with / controlled bulls. It is possible that the descendants of these dogs traveled to Northern Europe with the Greeks, Romans, Celts and later the Roma (according to popular tradition) and contributed to breeds such as the Welsh Corgi and the Lancashire Heeler. The ancestors of the latter are said to have been brought to Britain by the Romans. The fact that these breeds are the only ones (along with the Alopekides) small-sized modern European breeds that specialize in driving cattle (the vast majority of modern cattle dogs are much larger and of Molossian / Mastiff type), is quite remarkable in itself. It could also be considered as an additional indication, in addition to the obvious phenotypic similarities, that there is a common genetic background, a common adaptation and specialization of the pastoral instinct in all three breeds, which may have originally originated in the eastern regions of Crete (where there were habitats ideal for buffaloes), given the special importance of bull worship in the ancient history of the island. Bull-leaping was a very special and interesting, probably cult form of gymnastics performed by young acrobats and bulls in ancient, Minoan Crete. Ktesias' report raises the question of whether dogs were involved in the preparation for this ceremonial activity, or whether dogs were used to control bulls from behaving aggressively during the performances or the training. According to a very interesting report recorded by the Hellenic Society for the Protection and Rescue of Indigenous Rural and Domestic Animals "Amalthea", until recently, there was a family of Alopekidae used to accompany and guide herds of buffaloes in Northern Greece. One of the areas where this landrace still coexists with buffaloes (who came to Greece with the Persian invading armies during the Greco-Persian wars, between 499 and 449 BC) is Serres, a stronghold of the Alopekis. These dogs still serve as companions, guarding and escorting herds of sheep, goats and driving cattle as well, in other parts of the country, to this day.
Traditional roles & character
e and character [ edit ]
The Alopekis populations were until recently to be found almost everywhere in Greece. Some of their traditional uses were to prevent the infestation of the home and yard from rats, mice, snakes and other small pests, as well as the protection of poultry, such as chickens and ducks, and also rabbits, from foxes, badgers, martens, weasels, ferrets, etc. Due to their small size, they can spend the night in the henhouse, preventing intruders. They also work very well with the larger sheepdogs and flock guardians on the farm, the corral and the pastures. The Alopekis is an extremely intelligent, fast and protective alarm dog, tough and very strong for its size, with remarkable agility and quick reflexes. Prior to the mass introduction of foreign breeds in Greece (which began in the 1970s and 1980s), the vast majority of small dogs in urban and rural areas were Alopekides and descendants of the Melitaia Kynidia (modern name "Kokoni").
Bronze dog statuette, 318-450 BCE. ( Source )
"In Epidaurus, the sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine, sacred dogs (and snakes) are said to have licked the wounds of pilgrims who went to the temple for treatment. An inscription found in a votive offering states that a tumor on a boy's neck was healed after one of the temple dogs licked it.
This fine dog depicted may also be associated with ancient medicine. The statuette was recently found (in Britain) in an excavation of more than 30 artifacts, which - with the exception of the dog - were intentionally broken, says archaeologist Kurt Adams. The dog is depicted with its tongue protruding - either panting or, Adams says, most likely ready to lick. It is possible that the find is associated with a center of worship not far from where it was found. "Licking dog representations are very rare and are often associated with healing," says Adams. "It is tempting to assume links to the nearby Roman temple in Lydney, which was dedicated to Nodens, a god of hunting, of the sea and, most importantly, healing and medicine."
"Fox-Dog" statuette carrying a puppy, Greece 500 - 475 BCE