4d (edited) • Breed of the Week
Laconian
This week I would like to discuss an extinct breed and this one is called a Laconian which was also known as Spartan, Lacedaemonian. There are many other supposed names for the Laconian but there is much debate if these are all for the same dog or not. The Laconian is a type of hound from the area of Laconia in ancient Greece.
The Laconian were known to be fast, athletic, pursuers of both large and small game, courageous and intelligent. They were not only used for hunting game but also protecting property and livestock.
Some very popular and famous writers of this time (think Plato, Sophocles, Aristotle, etc.) had an opinion on the Laconian and what should be standard for the breed. Now there is very little information on which type of hound of this time was actually a Laconian, what ones were crossbreeds, or if they just have a multitude of names for the same breed.
Writer Xenophon makes a distinction between a larger (Castorian) and smaller fox like (Vulpine) hound. Some say that this distinction is not about the Laconian specifically but dogs in general while others believe he was talking about sub-types of the Laconian.
Writer Aristotle describes the Laconian as a cross between a dog and a fox (hence Vulpine). There appears to not be any information stating that this cross is not impossible and that the Vulpine could be either a variety of the Laconian or a predecessor to the breed. I’m not sure as I am not a geneticist nor have I ever thought about crossing a dog and a fox. The Hellenic Hound is thought to be a modern descendent of the Laconian.
The Laconian came in tan with white points and black with tan points thought to be around 18in (45.7cm) at the shoulder and weigh around 30-40lbs (13.6kg-18kg). They would reach sexual maturity at around 8 months of age, gestation is approximately 63 days and they would have an average of 8 puppies. The lifespan was 10 years for males and 12 years for female on average.
There is more information than what I wrote so I do encourage that you go read the sources provided.
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Laconian
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