One of the AKC’s newest breeds (recognized in 2013) is among the world’s oldest of breeds. Images of the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno appear on church bas reliefs in Portugal dating back to the 11th century. These bas-reliefs include the church of Saint John the Baptist (S. Joao Baptista) in Tomar, Portugal, as well as part of the Manueline Façade of the church of the Vila deo Conde on which a Podengo type dog has a rabbit in its mouth. The inclusion of a dog on a church facade demonstrates the place of honor the breed had in the society that valued its usefulness as a hunter and provider of food. More interesting to breed fanciers of today is that the breed has changed very little! The lean, broad, wedge-shaped head remains true, as does the breed’s body proportions.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno created from 10 to 20 individually hand cut pieces of paper, layered and mounted on color stock so that no two are the same, by Patricia Peters – CanineCutUps
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I really wish that you would mention the challenges that these little-known breeds face. Many hunting breeds that were once held in high esteem are now treated as tools to be used and thrown away.