Pure Breeds – Just 15 in 1800s

Most of our modern pure breeds have been recently developed over the past 200 years. None of them were in existence in ancient Rome or Egypt, just 6 distinct types. This is evident by the encyclopaedic book dated the year 1800, listing just 15 pure breeds. In 1900 there were more than 60 breeds and today more than 400 breeds exist throughout the world.

6 distinct breeds in the Roman era:

There were 6 distinct types of dog by the Roman era:
Villatici – house or guardian dogs.
Venatici – sporting dogs.
Pugnaces and Bellicosi – war dogs.
Nares Sagaces – scent hounds.
Pedibus Celeres – sight hounds.

Sydenham Edwards

Sydenham “Teast” Edwards was a talented illustrator from a very early age. By the time he was 11 years he had already copied various botanical illustrations for his own enjoyment. His talents were discovered by William Curtis, the publisher of Curtis’s Botanical Magazine. He took Edwards under his wing, training him to improve his drawing and draughtsmanship skills. Edwards thus illustrated 1700 plates for the magazine.

Cynographia Britannica 1800s – 15 pure breeds

Published in 1800, an encyclopaedic compendium of dog breeds in Britain, was illustrated by Sydenham Edwards. Known as the Cynographia Britannica, Edwards described the 15 breeds of dog that were around in that era. One of those breeds was the Bull Dog which showed a scene with 3 Bull Dogs of different colouring. A white and a brown dog in the foreground, with a brindle dog lying down behind. Edwards was born in the picturesque village of Usk in Monmouthshire in 1768 and died in 1819. He was buried in Chelsea Old Church. His tombstone was destroyed during the WWII bombing, but has since been replaced.