10 Dog Breeds That Have Become Extinct

Not all dogs made it to the modern era of belly rubs and Instagram fame. Some once-popular breeds vanished over time—whether due to changing lifestyles, wars, or simple disinterest. Yep, not even good boys are guaranteed immortality.

These extinct breeds paved the way for the pups we know today, passing on traits and quirks through selective breeding. So let’s raise a chew toy in memory of the forgotten legends of the dog world.

English White Terrier

Once a show-ring darling, the English White Terrier vanished due to health issues caused by poor breeding. Its legacy lives on in modern terriers, but the breed itself fizzled out by the late 1800s.

Turnspit Dog

This small, long-bodied dog had one strange job: running in a wheel to rotate meat on a spit. With automated kitchens on the rise, this culinary canine was retired—and eventually, completely disappeared.

Molossus

The original beast of burden, the Molossus was a massive war dog from ancient Greece. It’s now extinct, but many modern mastiffs and bully breeds can trace their family tree back to this legendary bruiser.

St. John’s Water Dog

A skilled swimmer and fish retriever from Newfoundland, this dog was the Labrador Retriever’s great-great-granddog. Sadly, it disappeared by the 1980s, but its DNA lives on in every water-loving Lab today.

Talbot Hound

This ghost-white scent hound was once prized by medieval hunters. But it wasn’t the sharpest tool in the kennel, and poor performance in the field led to its eventual extinction by the 16th century.

Hawaiian Poi Dog

This round-bellied pup was part companion, part food source in ancient Hawaii. Unfortunately, interbreeding with other dogs and cultural shifts caused the breed to vanish from the islands completely.

Moscow Water Dog

Bred by the Soviet navy for water rescue missions, the Moscow Water Dog turned out to be a bit too… bitey. Its aggression doomed the project, and the breed was scrapped entirely.

Braque du Puy

A sleek French pointer known for speed and elegance, the Braque du Puy faded out by the 20th century due to inconsistent breeding practices and lack of interest from modern hunters.

Alpine Mastiff

One of the ancestors of today’s Saint Bernard, the Alpine Mastiff was bred for mountain rescue. Over time, crossbreeding replaced the original, and the pure breed vanished into the snowy mists of history.

Cumberland Sheepdog

This early herding dog from England was smart, agile, and energetic—but eventually bred into the Border Collie and others. While the name’s gone, the spirit lives on in modern sheepdog workaholics.

Final Thoughts

These extinct breeds may be gone, but they’re far from forgotten. Many helped shape the dogs we adore today, from fearless working pups to floppy-eared companions. And hey—every walk through history deserves a few good boys.