{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Dogs: Stars of Myth, Legend, and Folklore","description":"In this podcast episode, we gain a better understanding of why dogs play a starring role in thousands of years of human folklore and explore the very real breeds that inspired the stories. Dogs permeate human myth and folklore more than any other creature. Their expansive field of vision, sensitivity to high-pitched sounds, and exceptional gift of sniff could be the reason many myths and legends portray dogs as supersensory guards and protectors of mere mortals. Dogs\u2019 roles in human stories reflect neither the good nor the bad of them \u2014 rather they demonstrate the central place dogs occupy in our shared consciousness. Bonafide Bits \u201cDogs of Myth,\u201d a book by Gerald and Loretta Hausman, chronologically captures a treasure trove of dog lore. In Chinese folklore, the Pekingese is known to have the heart of a lion. In Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is the earthly incarnation of the mythical snow lion. Canis Major is the constellation that includes the dog star Sirius, Orion\u2019s hunting dog. In Greek mythology, Cerberus is a three-headed dog who guards the underworld of Hades. Featured Breeds Mastiff For the uninitiated, a face-to-face encounter with these black-masked giants can be startling. A male stands at least 30 inches at the shoulder and can outweigh many a full-grown man. The rectangular body is deep and thickly muscled, covered by a short double coat of fawn, apricot, or brindle stripes. The head is broad and massive, and a wrinkled forehead accentuates an alert, kindly expression. Mastiffs are patient, lovable companions and guardians who take best to gentle training. Eternally loyal Mastiffs are protective of family, and a natural wariness of strangers makes early training and socialization essential. Mastiffs are magnificent pets, but acquiring a powerful giant-breed dog is a commitment not to be taken lightly. Discover more about Mastiffs at AKC\u2019s Mastiff Breed Biography. English Toy Spaniel The ETS is a square, snub-nosed toy weighing no more than 14 pounds. The large domed head with its long and lush ears, dark melting eyes, and chubby cheeks is a famous breed trait. The profuse coat comes in four varieties, each with its own proper name: red and white (Blenheim); black and tan (King Charles); white, black, and tan (Prince Charles); and a solid red (Ruby). Blenheims often have a red mark, the 'Blenheim Spot,' on top of the head. The ETS, like many toy breeds kept by royals, came to assume the personalities of their aristocratic owners. They can be proud and willful, and extremely discriminating in their choice of friends. With their favored humans, they are affectionate at home and exuberant and curious at play. Discover more about English Toy Spaniels at AKC\u2019s English Toy Spaniel Breed Biography. Akita Akitas are burly, heavy-boned spitz-type dogs of imposing stature. Standing 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder, Akitas have a dense coat that comes in several colors, including white. The head is broad and massive and is balanced in the rear by a full, curled-over tail. The erect ears and dark, shining eyes contribute to an expression of alertness, a hallmark of the breed. Akitas are quiet, fastidious dogs. Wary of strangers and often intolerant of other animals, Akitas will gladly share their silly, affectionate side with family and friends. They thrive on human companionship. The large, independent-thinking Akita is hardwired for protecting those they love. They must be well socialized from birth with people and other dogs. Discover more about Akitas at AKC\u2019s Akita Breed Biography. Tibetan Mastiff Coming face to face with this ancient behemoth, an intruder up to no good, will likely move on to easier pickings. Tibetan Mastiffs can stand 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh well over 100 pounds. It\u2019s impossible to discuss this breed without leaning on words like \u201cpowerful,\u201d \u201cmuscular,\u201d \u201cmassive,\u201d and \u201csubstantial.\u201d And yet, TMs are quite light-footed and will meet a perceived threat with surprising agility. The broad head, with its high-set, V-shaped ears, and expressive brown eyes, projects a noble, sagacious expression. Discover more about Tibetan Mastiffs at AKC\u2019s Tibetan Mastiff Breed Biography. Lhasa Apso The lavishly coated Lhasa Apso is a thousand-year-old breed that served as sentinels at palaces and monasteries isolated high in the Himalayas. Smart, confident, and complex, Lhasas are family comedians but regally aloof with strangers. Discover more about Lhasa Apsos at AKC\u2019s Lhasa Apso Breed Biography. Pekingese Pekingese are compact, stocky toy dogs weighing up to 14 pounds. The coat is longest at the neck and shoulders, giving Pekes their famous \u201clion\u2019s mane.\u201d Coats come in various reds, from golden-red to darker shades. The large, short-muzzled head is a wider-than-long, envelope-shaped rectangle, and the eyes are large, dark, and sparkly. A unique feature of Pekes is their effortless \u201crolling\u201d gait. Pekes are charming, confident companions who develop a tight bond with their favorite human. Bred to live in palaces, they can be as serenely independent as the emperors who owned them. (They\u2019re \u201copinionated,\u201d Peke people say.) Ever alert, they make good watchdogs. Pekes will tolerate kids but won\u2019t stand for a lot of roughhousing. Discover more about Pekingese at AKC\u2019s Pekingese Breed Biography. Afghan Hound Since ancient times, Afghan Hounds have been famous for their elegant beauty. But the thick, silky, flowing coat that is the breed\u2019s crowning glory isn\u2019t just for show; it served as protection from the harsh climate in mountainous regions where Afghans originally earned their keep. Beneath the Afghan\u2019s glamorous exterior is a powerful, agile hound, standing as high as 27 inches at the shoulder, built for a long day\u2019s hunt. Their huge paw-pads acted as shock absorbers on their homeland\u2019s punishing terrain. The Afghan Hound is a special breed for special people. A breed expert writes, \u201cIt\u2019s not the breed for all would-be dog owners, but where the dog and owner combination is right, no animal can equal the Afghan Hound as a pet.\u201d Discover more about Afghan Hounds at AKC\u2019s Afghan Hound Breed Biography. Xoloitzcuintli The 3,000-year-old Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced \u201cshow-low-eats-QUEENT-lee\u201d), the ancient Aztec dog of the gods, is today a loving companion and vigilant watchdog. The alert and loyal Xolo comes in three sizes, and either hairless or coated varieties. Discover more about Xoloitzcuintlis at AKC\u2019s Xoloitzcuintli Breed Biography. Basenji Basenjis are small, graceful hounds standing 16 or 17 inches at the shoulder. They are recognizable by their glistening short coat, tightly curled tail, and wrinkled forehead, and expressive almond-shaped eyes that convey a variety of subtle, humanlike emotions. Basenjis are a lovely sight at a standstill but more impressive yet at a fast trot when they exhibit the long, smooth strides of a mini-racehorse. And yes, it\u2019s true, they don\u2019t bark, but they make their feelings known with an odd sound described as something between a chortle and a yodel. Basenjis are fastidious and will groom themselves like cats. They have been called a \u201ccult breed\u201d as they are small in numbers, but those lucky enough to own one do so with singular devotion. Discover more about Basenjis at AKC\u2019s Basenji Breed Biography. Saluki Among the world\u2019s oldest breeds, the slim but rugged Saluki was the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. Salukis are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase. They make gentle, dignified, and independent but loyal pets. The beauty of Salukis has been a thing of wonder for thousands of years. They\u2019re slim and leggy, but very strong and perfectly balanced, like a great athlete or dancer. Males can stand between 23 and 28 inches at the shoulder; females can be much shorter. They come in many colors and patterns. Their large, oval-shaped eyes are warm and intelligent. Salukis are highly adaptable, able to live and work in any climate. They\u2019re magnificent animals, but owning them comes with many special challenges. Discover more about Salukis at AKC\u2019s Saluki Breed Biography. For more information about a specific breed visit the breed\u2019s parent club or AKC.org. Shareables: Legend has it, the Afghan Hound was the only dog breed to procure a spot on Noah\u2019s Ark. Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound was only tricked thrice. Or, was he? A dog\u2019s nose has 200 million smell receptors, more than 40 times the amount of a human. ","author_name":"Down and Back: AKC Dog Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/about\/down-and-back-akc-podcast\/","html":"