Alopekis

The Alopekis is a small Greek farm dog whose name means little fox, and it appears on ancient Greek pottery.

History

Small prick-eared dogs of this outline are depicted in Greek art from antiquity, and the type persisted in Greek villages and farms as a general-purpose helper: ratting, herding poultry and small stock, and watching the yard. It faded through the twentieth century as village life changed, and Greek enthusiasts have worked since the 1990s to document and preserve it.

Temperament

The breed is known for being clever, affectionate and adaptable, sociable with people and other animals — unusually so for a small farm dog — and alert without being shrill.

Care and training

Exercise needs are moderate and easily met. The short coat needs almost nothing. It trains readily.

Health

Generally very robust, having been shaped by village life rather than a closed studbook; nothing is widely documented as breed-specific. These are patterns for the landrace rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.