We all know that different dog breeds are what sets one pooch apart from the next. Everything, from your dog’s personality to its physical stature can be determined by its specific breed. Although the origins of most breeds can seem a bit ambiguous, a lot of dog breeds have fascinating (even heroic) origins. Here’s where your furry friend got it’s breed name from!
Basset Hound
Bassets probably got their names because they’re low on the ground, and their history dates back to 6th century France. It is widely believed that bassets are descended from the St. Hubert hounds that used to live around monasteries. Basset is a name that derives from the French word “bas”, which means “low” in English.
Bulldog
This is one of the dog breeds that have ties to a history of a violent form of entertainment. According to historians, Bulldogs were trained and bred to fight bulls or bullbaiting in Great Britain centuries ago. This violent sport was later outlawed, but the breed still kept its name.
Beagle
Beagles were named after their unique howl. America’s Pet Registry says that these British scent hounds got their name from multiple sources. One of the most common speculations is that their name comes from the French word “beugler”, which translates to “to bellow” since these dogs are known for their frequent howling and very distinctive voice.
Dobermann Pinscher
Before the days of e-filing, tax collectors would show up at your doorstep to collect your tax. One of those men was a guy named Louis Doberman, who was a dog breeder when he wasn’t collecting taxes. Doberman, according to the American Kennel Club, wanted to breed an authoritative companion that could accompany him to work so that taxpayers would be less resistant with a canine by his side. Hence, the Dobermann Pinscher is still known as a working dog and is a breed that’s commonly deployed in K-9 police units around the world.
Poodle
Although the debate is still out on whether these elegant dogs originated from France or Germany, the breed’s name likely derives from the German word “pudel.” The word translates to “one that plays with water”, and correlates with the breed’s habits. Poodles were originally trained to be water retrievers, making the name quite appropriate.
