© Public Domain

Paisley Terrier -

This Scottish breed was known to make a great pet, but the Paisley Terrier didn't shy away from hunting rats, too. You can see the resemblance to the Yorkshire Terrier, which indeed is a descendant of the Paisley Terrier.

© Public Domain

Talbot -

These hunting hounds were originally from Normandy, but became very popular in medieval England. Breeds such as the modern Beagle are believed to descend from Talbots.

© Public Domain

Bullenbeisser -

These large and strong dogs, also known as German Bulldogs, were bred mainly for blood sports such as bear-baiting and bull-baiting. They eventually became extinct, but one modern dog breed descends from the Bullenbeisser: the boxer.

© Public Domain

Hare Indian dog -

This dog breed was used by the Hare Indians to hunt game in Northern Canada. They were possibly a cross between the domestic dog and the coyote.

© Public Domain

Turnspit dog -

A reference to the turnspit dog can be found in a book dating back to 1576. They were working dogs, often put on a wheel to turn meat on a roast spit (pictured).

© Public Domain

Turnspit dog -

Modern short-legged dog breeds such as the Welsh Corgi or the Glen of Imaal Terrier descend from the turnspit dog.

© Public Domain

Norfolk Spaniel -

Used both for hunting birds and as house pets, these were essentially larger versions of the present-day Cocker Spaniel.

© Public Domain

Old English Bulldog -

Unlike today's Olde English Bulldogge, this breed no longer exists. The Old English Bulldog was known to take part in the English blood sport of bull-baiting.

© Public Domain

Braque du Puy -

Braque du Puy, also known as Braque Dupuy or Dupuy Pointer, was a cross between a Braque Français dog and a North African Sloughi. This French pointer was created in the 19th century and is now extinct.

© Getty Images

St. John's Water dog -

Used by fishermen in Newfoundland, this breed is the precursor of many modern breeds, including the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. The St. John's Water dog became extinct sometime in the 1980s.

© Public Domain

North Country Beagle -

The North Country Beagle, or Northern Hound, was an English breed used for hunting until the 19th century, when it became extinct.

© Public Domain

Hawaiian Poi dog -

It's believed that these short dogs were brought to Hawaii by the Polynesians centuries ago. They were considered a spiritual protector of children, but were also used as a source of food.

© Public Domain

Kurī -

It's believed that Māori tribes introduced this dog breed in New Zealand when they migrated from East Polynesia sometime during the 13th century. Sadly, interbreeding with European dogs led to Kurī's extinction in the 1860s.

© Public Domain

Tweed Water Spaniel -

This breed was endemic to Berwick upon Tweed, in England, and became extinct in the 19th century. It's one of the predecessors of present-day breeds such as the Curly Coated Retriever and the Golden Retriever.

© Public Domain

Techichi -

The Techichi was popular amongst the pre-Columbian Mesoamerican culture known as the Toltecs. The breed dates back to at least the 9th century CE, and is known as the ancestor of the modern-day Chihuahua.

© Public Domain

Salish Wool dog -

Salish Wool dogs, or Woolly dogs, were popular among the Coast Salish peoples, who lived in modern-era Washington state and British Columbia. The dogs' fluffy coats were used to make blankets.

© Public Domain

English White Terrier -

The English White Terrier, or Old English Terrier, was one of the new breeds of terriers with pricked ears created in the 18th century (others included the Jack Russell Terrier and the Boston Terrier, among others). Most people favored the other breeds, so the English White Terrier was eventually driven to extinction in just a few decades.

© Public Domain

Alpine Mastiff -

The ancestor of the St. Bernard is believed to date back to 500 BCE. Hailing from Northern Europe, this gigantic dog was believed to weigh up to 160 kg (350 lbs), and grow as tall as 1 m (39 in) at the shoulder.

© Public Domain

Cumberland Sheepdog -

This was the dog breed of Englishman Lancelot Edward Lowther, the 6th Earl of Lonsdale (1867-1953). It was a working dog who lived in the family for several generations. It's related to the Border Collie and is an ancestor of the Australian Shepherd.

© Public Domain

Chien-gris -

The Chien-gris, aka Gris de Saint-Louis, was a popular breed in medieval France. These large hounds were a favorite in royal hunting parties.

© Public Domain

Belgian Mastiff -

The Belgian Mastiff was used as a draught dog in the Low Countries (both Belgium and the Netherlands). The breed became extinct sometime in the 20th century.

© Public Domain

Halls Heeler -

The Halls Heeler dates back to the 19th century. The breed was a cross between Northumberland Drover's dogs and dingoes.

© Public Domain

Halls Heeler -

It was created by Thomas Simpson Hall to herd cattle on his properties in Australia. Today's Australian Cattle dog descends from the Halls Heeler.

© Public Domain

Tahltan Bear dog -

The Tahltan Bear dog was used by the Tahltan people to hunt bears in Canada. They became extinct after Europeans arrived in the territory. Sadly, no trace of this breed's DNA can be found in today's dog breeds.

© Getty Images

Argentine Polar dog -

The Argentine Polar dog was developed by the Argentine Army and could be found at Antarctic bases. It was a cross between several cold-weather breeds. The Argentine Polar dog became extinct in 1994.

© Public Domain

Dogo Cubano -

This breed, also known as the Cuban Mastiff, was a cross between a Mastiff and a Bloodhound. The breed has a rather sad history; they were introduced in Cuba to hunt down runaway slaves. The breed became extinct following the abolition of slavery in the country.

© Public Domain

Fuegian dog -

Hailing from South America, the Fuegian dog is actually a domesticated culpeo (a type of fox). They were used by local peoples to hunt otters, and eventually became extinct sometime in the 19th century.

© Public Domain

Dalbo dog -

The Dalbo dog, also known as the Dalsland Mastiff, was used to guard livestock in Sweden. This dog breed is believed to have become extinct around 1870.

© Public Domain

Terceira Mastiff -

This breed originated from the island of Terceira, in the Azores, Portugal. It's believe to be a descendant from the Portuguese breed Rafeiro do Alentejo. It became extinct in the 1970s. It's the ancestor of both the Cão de Fila de São Miguel and the Fila Brasileiro.

© Public Domain

Buckhound -

These English scent hounds were used to hunt fallow deer, from the Middle Ages until the 19th century.

© Public Domain

Córdoba fighting dog -

This extinct breed from Córdoba, Argentina, was used as a fighting dog until the 20th century. The Córdoba fighting dog was created from crossbreeding old Mastiff types. It's the ancestor of today's Dogo Argentino.

© Public Domain

Grand Fauve de Bretagne -

This extinct dog breed from Brittany, France, was mostly used to hunt wild boar and wolves.

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (Hepper) (Odie)

See also: Dog breeds with seriously bizarre features

© Public Domain