Aggressive polar and alpine mastiff: 5 dog breeds that have long been extinct

Dogs have been faithful companions and helpers to humans for centuries. They have been used for protection, hunting, cargo transportation, and simply for socializing.

However, due to changes in people's needs, the prohibition of certain activities, and other factors, some dog breeds have disappeared forever. Wikipedia writes about it.

Here are 5 such breeds that we can only learn about from descriptions and old photos:

Argentine Polar Dog

This long-haired breed was bred in the Argentine army to work as sled dogs at Antarctic bases. It was created by crossing the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Manchurian Spitz, and Greenland dog.

After the signing of the international Antarctic Treaty, Argentina was forced to remove all dogs from the continent because they posed a threat to the local ecosystem. The breeding program was terminated, and the remaining dogs were transported to Patagonia. Unfortunately, due to the lack of immunity to common canine diseases, most of them died. The last Argentine polar dog died in 1994.

Alpine mastiff

This giant, which weighed up to 150 kilograms, was the ancestor of modern mastiffs and St. Bernards. It was known in the Western Alps since the Middle Ages and was used to rescue people from avalanches. Thanks to its sense of smell, the Alpine Mastiff could easily find a person under the rubble. Over time, the St. Bernard was bred from this breed, and the Alpine Mastiff disappeared, losing its uniqueness due to crossbreeding with other breeds.

Old English Bulldog

This British breed, bred in the 16th century, was used for bull chasing.

After the ban on blood sports in 1835, the Old English Bulldog became obsolete.

Some individuals were preserved as companion dogs, but over time they were crossed with other breeds, which led to the disappearance of the pure line.

Belgian Mastiff

This powerful dog with a smooth coat was used in the Netherlands as a pulling force. It disappeared in the 20th century when its role became irrelevant. The Belgian Mastiff was muscular, with a thick bone, large head, and thick neck. It had a short, smooth coat of fawn, tiger, or dark color with white spots. By nature, it was a tireless worker with strong protective instincts, but not very friendly to outsiders.

Dupuis Brac

This French hunting dog breed was known for its speed and endurance. It disappeared in the 1960s. The Dupuis Brac had a long, thin head and a body similar to hounds. Its coat was white with dark brown spots. This breed was little known even in France and disappeared because of its rarity. The disappearance of these breeds is a loss not only for the history of cynology, but also for humanity as a whole. They were not just dogs, but faithful friends and assistants who have been helping people in various spheres of life for centuries.

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