10 Dog Breeds That Have Become Extinct

Dogs have been our loyal companions for centuries, helping with everything from hunting and herding to providing love and comfort. However, not all dog breeds have stood the test of time. Throughout history, many breeds have become extinct, often due to changes in society, technology, and preferences.

Some of these extinct breeds were once vital for specific tasks, like hunting or guarding, while others faded away due to the evolution of new breeds with more specialized traits. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 dog breeds that have vanished from the canine world, offering a glimpse into the fascinating and sometimes tragic history of these dogs.

Join us as we uncover the stories of breeds like the Alpine Mastiff, Hawaiian Poi Dog, and more—each of which played an important role in their time but no longer exists today.

1. Alpine Mastiff

The Alpine Mastiff was one of the earliest breeds of giant dogs and a precursor to many modern Mastiff breeds, including the St. Bernard. Native to the Swiss and Italian Alps, this dog was known for its impressive size, strength, and gentle demeanor.

Originally bred by monks in monasteries such as the Great St. Bernard Hospice, the Alpine Mastiff played a key role in rescue missions in the treacherous snowy passes. These dogs were famous for their ability to locate stranded travelers and alert rescuers. However, by the 19th century, crossbreeding with other large dogs led to the dilution of the pure Alpine Mastiff bloodline.

The increasing popularity of St. Bernards, which were derived in part from Alpine Mastiffs, also contributed to the extinction of the breed. With no consistent breeding programs to preserve them, the pure Alpine Mastiff gradually disappeared by the late 1800s.

2. Moscow Water Dog

The Moscow Water Dog was a Soviet-era breed developed after World War II by the Russian Navy. It was intended to become a reliable water rescue dog capable of saving drowning people from rivers and lakes. This breed was created by crossing the Newfoundland with the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the East European Shepherd.

The goal was to combine the water instincts of the Newfoundland with the protective nature of shepherds. Unfortunately, the experiment did not succeed. The Moscow Water Dog turned out to be overly aggressive, especially in stressful situations. Instead of helping drowning victims, they often attacked them due to their guardian instincts.

Because of this dangerous behavior and the breed’s unpredictability, the project was abandoned in the 1980s. The few remaining dogs were either euthanized or absorbed into other breeding programs, leading to the extinction of the Moscow Water Dog as a distinct breed.

3. Hawaiian Poi Dog

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a unique, ancient breed native to the Hawaiian Islands. These dogs were raised by Native Hawaiians for both companionship and as a food source. Poi Dogs had a distinctive appearance—flat heads, large bodies, and a lethargic demeanor caused by their vegetarian diet, mainly poi (a paste made from taro root).

They were not bred for hunting or herding, making them very different from other ancient dogs. Their primary role was to serve as spiritual guardians and family pets. Over time, with the arrival of Westerners in the 18th and 19th centuries, new dog breeds were introduced to the islands.

Crossbreeding and changing cultural values led to the decline of the pure Hawaiian Poi Dog. By the early 20th century, the breed had completely disappeared. While a few attempts have been made to revive them, there is no living purebred Hawaiian Poi Dog today.

4. Talbot Hound

The Talbot Hound was a popular medieval dog breed known for its remarkable scent-tracking abilities. It was widely used by European nobility, particularly in England and France, for hunting and tracking wounded game. The Talbot Hound had a distinctive look with droopy ears, a muscular build, and a deep chest.

It was slow but extremely persistent, making it ideal for tracking over long distances. The breed is believed to be the ancestor of modern scent hounds like the Beagle and the Bloodhound. However, by the 17th century, the breed began to decline. It lacked the speed and versatility that hunters were beginning to prefer in their dogs.

Crossbreeding with faster hounds led to the creation of more practical hunting companions, and pure Talbot Hounds were eventually phased out. The breed officially became extinct by the late 18th century, but its legacy lives on in the genetics of modern hounds.

5. St. John’s Water Dog

The St. John’s Water Dog, also known as the Lesser Newfoundland, was a foundational breed from Newfoundland, Canada. It played a significant role in the development of today’s Retrievers, especially the Labrador Retriever. Originally bred by fishermen, the St. John’s Water Dog was highly valued for its excellent swimming skills, intelligence, and work ethic.

These dogs helped retrieve fishing nets and escaped fish from icy waters. Their thick, water-resistant coat and webbed feet made them natural swimmers. Unfortunately, strict government restrictions on dog ownership in Newfoundland, along with tax laws and crossbreeding with other breeds, led to the breed’s decline.

By the early 1980s, the St. John’s Water Dog was declared extinct. Its legacy continues, though, in breeds like the Labrador, which inherited its water-loving nature and friendly temperament. The last known St. John’s Water Dogs died out without producing offspring to carry on the breed.

6. English White Terrier

The English White Terrier was a small, elegant terrier breed developed in the 19th century in England. It was bred primarily for show purposes rather than working capabilities, and it featured a distinctive white coat and erect ears. Despite its attractive appearance, the breed suffered from significant health issues due to inbreeding, including deafness and frailty.

These health problems made the English White Terrier unsuitable as a household companion or a working dog. Moreover, it lacked the robust hunting instincts of other terriers. As a result, the breed quickly fell out of favor. By the end of the 19th century, it had largely disappeared from dog shows and breeding programs.

Although it played a role in the development of breeds like the Bull Terrier and the Boston Terrier, the English White Terrier itself went extinct around the early 20th century due to its genetic weaknesses and lack of practical use.

7. Cumberland Sheepdog

The Cumberland Sheepdog was an early British herding breed that closely resembled today’s Border Collie. It was highly intelligent, agile, and responsive—qualities that made it an excellent working dog for managing sheep. Native to northern England, especially the county of Cumberland, this breed thrived in rural environments and was favored by shepherds for its sharp instincts and loyalty.

However, as the Border Collie rose in popularity due to its more refined appearance and superior herding skills, the Cumberland Sheepdog gradually lost favor. Breeders stopped maintaining distinct bloodlines, and the Cumberland Sheepdog was absorbed into the developing Border Collie population.

By the early 20th century, it had vanished as a separate breed. Despite its extinction, the Cumberland Sheepdog’s genetics live on in modern herding dogs, contributing to their intelligence and work drive.

8. Turnspit Dog

The Turnspit Dog was a small, sturdy breed used in England during the 16th to 19th centuries for a very unusual job—turning meat on a spit. These dogs were specifically bred to run in a wheel called a “dog wheel,” which was connected to a spit over an open fire.

As the dog ran, it would rotate the spit, ensuring the meat cooked evenly. Turnspit Dogs were known for their endurance and short legs, which made them ideal for running in place. They were a common fixture in many large kitchens during that era.

However, as mechanical devices like the rotisserie became more widespread in the 19th century, the need for these dogs vanished. The breed quickly declined and became extinct, with no formal breeding efforts to preserve them. Today, they are remembered as a peculiar example of how dogs were once bred for very specific, now obsolete, tasks.

9. Blue Paul Terrier

The Blue Paul Terrier was a muscular, medium-sized fighting dog developed in Scotland in the early 19th century. It was particularly known for its unique blue-gray coat and formidable strength. The breed’s exact origin is unclear, but some theories suggest it was brought over by pirates from Asia or developed locally from other terriers and bulldogs.

Blue Paul Terriers were popular among working-class Scots, especially in Glasgow, where dog fighting was a widespread form of entertainment. Despite their fighting origins, they were also known to be loyal and affectionate with their families.

As dog fighting was outlawed and public attitudes shifted, the demand for such aggressive breeds declined. Without any official breed recognition or efforts to maintain a breeding program, the Blue Paul Terrier became extinct by the early 20th century. Its genetics are believed to have contributed to the development of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

10. Tesem

The Tesem was an ancient Egyptian hunting dog depicted in numerous hieroglyphs and wall paintings dating back thousands of years. It had a lean body, long legs, pricked ears, and a curly tail—somewhat resembling a modern-day Greyhound or Basenji.

Tesem dogs were often shown accompanying hunters and nobility, suggesting their importance in Egyptian society. They were known for their speed, agility, and loyalty. The Tesem likely played a major role in hunting and guarding duties. However, as time passed and Egypt was influenced by foreign invasions and cultural shifts, new dog breeds were introduced.

The Tesem was gradually replaced by other more modern breeds, and its distinct lineage eventually disappeared. By the end of the ancient Egyptian period, the Tesem no longer existed as a separate breed. While it’s difficult to trace exact descendants, its legacy may live on in several sighthound breeds of North Africa and the Middle East.

Bottom Line

The extinction of certain dog breeds is a reminder of how quickly our needs and preferences can change. While these extinct breeds have left a mark on history, they are often replaced by new breeds that better serve the roles once held by their predecessors.

Many of these dogs still live on through the genetics of modern breeds, which continue to carry their traits. The history of these breeds is both intriguing and sad, and their stories remind us of the importance of preserving the diversity of dog breeds for future generations.

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