We often hear certain dogs described as “ancient breeds.” The Basenji, Saluki, Akita, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed and Afghan Hound are just some of the dogs regularly given this label. They are often described as being thousands of years old, genetically closer to the wolf and fundamentally different from the modern breeds we live with today.