Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which five main types of dogs existed by the beginning of the Bronze Age?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A Labradoodle dog runs energetically through grass with a stick in its mouth, ears flopping and tail raised. — dog A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, a mix intended to incorporate the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat with a Lab's energy and determination.

Fossil remains indicate that by the beginning of the Bronze Age (approximately 4500 BCE), five distinct types of dogs had emerged. These types were:1

Mastiffs
Wolf-type dogs
Sight hounds (such as the Saluki or greyhound)
Pointing dogs
Herding dogs1