Meliteo Kinidio
Sponsored Links:At one time the Alopekis and Small Greek Domestic Dog were considered to be different types of the same breed. This has since changed and provisional standards have been written for each breed since both breed true to type. In terms of numbers, this breed is more common than the Alopekis, although both breeds would be the easiest and most likely breeds to be exported from Greece and established elsewhere.
Due to their small size, people seem to instinctively keep them as companions, some times for generations. This is a tradition that goes all the way back to ancient Greece. A large number of images on ancient friezes, pottery, and amphorae show this breed as a companion to women and children. Meliteo Kinidio translates to Honey (Small) Dog, probably due to their sweet (like honey) disposition and the name Alopekis translates to “Fox”, due to its foxy looks and size.
An ancient breed of the Hellenic (Greek) dog, Meliteo Kinidio. Quite fearless for their size, they are quite territorial and possessive of their owners. The Small Greek Domestic dogs are ideal companions, extremely expressive, highly perceptive and they sigh and use their eyes like humans. They insist in sleeping in bed with the owners. They are adept hunters of small game and birds.
In general the Small Greek Domestic Dog is larger in size than the Alopekis. The breed has dropped ears. Two coat types occur, long and shorthaired. The long hair is the most common now and also the most commonly represented type on ancient artifacts. The shorthaired type seems to be an intermediate form between the Small Greek Domestic Dog and the Alopekis. Currently the shorthaired variety is unmentioned in the provisional standard, but they are numerous enough to one day be accepted.
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