This illustration from an old textbook shows some of the over 150 different dog breeds that can be seen around the world today. How do you think all of these different breeds were developed?
Dogs have been bred for thousands of years for specific purposes and characteristics. Many of the different breeds were developed through selective breeding, with humans choosing dogs with desired traits to mate with each other in order to produce offspring with those same traits. This process was repeated over many generations, resulting in the vast array of dog breeds we see today. Different breeds were developed for different purposes, such as hunting, herding, guarding, and companionship. Additionally, geographical isolation and cultural preferences also played a role in the development of different dog breeds.
