{"id":122486,"date":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-19T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/?p=122486"},"modified":"2025-12-12T23:48:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T21:48:45","slug":"alopekis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/breed-alopekis","title":{"rendered":"Alopekis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Alopekis<\/strong> is a tiny shepherd dog with a huge heart and a love for humans. They are intelligent, inquisitive and sharp, yet completely devoid of the trickery typical of their forest doubles. Brave and hardy, but not at all aggressive, these dogs make ideal companions. Boundlessly devoted to their owner, they become a cheerful friend for children and the whole famliy. They always have a raised bushy tail and a mood to match. Read more on Tvaryny<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alopekis: detailed overview and breed characteristics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Origin<\/strong><\/td>Greece (ancient regions)<\/td><\/tr>
Classification<\/strong><\/td>Primitive dogs, shepherds, companions<\/td><\/tr>
Life expectancy<\/strong><\/td>16-18 years (long-lived)<\/td><\/tr>
Height at withers<\/strong><\/td>20-30 cm<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>3-7 kg<\/td><\/tr>
Coat type<\/strong><\/td>Double, short or semi-long<\/td><\/tr>
Activity<\/strong><\/td>Medium, requires mental stimulation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

History of the breed: from the Neolithic to the present day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The breed of these cheerful and loyal little ones appeared a very long time ago; some researchers beleive their ancestors existed over 18,000 years ago<\/strong>! This makes the Alopekis one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe. The ‘little foxes’, which courageously hunted rats, mice and small pests, were loved by the ancient Greeks. Dogs with the appearance of a short-legged shepherd were depicted in vase painting and sculpture, and their silhouettes are found on coins and the walls of ancient buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, unlike specialised hunters such as the Hellenic Hound<\/a>, Alopekis were always universal ‘yard’ dogs. They guarded chickens from foxes, announced the arrival of strangers and warmed their owners on cold nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interest in Alopekis was revived twice – in the mid-20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century. However, the breed never gained broad global popularity, and the number of its representatives is declining alarmingly. Currently, being unrecognised by the FCI at the international level, Alopekis are on the verge of extinction, and enthusiasts in Greece are making titanic efforts to save this genetic treasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appearance and anatomy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Despite their small size, Alopekis have a well-developed body and strong legs. Their anatomy is a masterpiece of natural selection, not breeding for fashion. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, reminiscent of the build of other herding dogs, for example, such as the Welsh Corgi Pembroke<\/a>, but the Alopekis looks lighter and more graceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n