Dogs and Ancient Religions

Dogs and ancient religions were mostly not a good mix. They were seen as unclean and would bring evil on humans.

This belief was observed in many but not all religions. A lot depended on whether the dog brought good or bad consequences to an action.

Some would think a canine barking meant evil was present. Others thought the animal was in with the devil. Still others thought they were hand and paw with the gods.

Do dogs have souls? Some religions didn't think so but others, like the Egyptians (and all of us dog lovers) believed they do.

They believed it to such an extent that the owners had their pets buried with them so they could go to the afterlife together.

In the ancient Jewish religion, the animals were thought to be unclean and bring disease. However, when the chosen people left the oppression of Egypt, dogs went with them and didn't utter a sound while they made their escape.

From then on the Jewish people accepted canines as their protectors and faithful friends.

Christianity was the most dog friendly of the ancient religions. In some Nativity scenes, canines were shown among the animals surrounding the manger.

Dogs were companions to saints, either showing them the way or protecting them from harm.

Islam considered canines impure. If a person touched one, they needed to be purified.

Mohamed declared the animals as useful as hunters and so were tolerated.

Buddhism got along very well with canines. As the religion spread, they became more intertwined with the culture.

You can see this in the "lion dog" statues in front of temples. In China and Japan, for example, emperors studied these statues and produced breeds that resemble the "lion dogs".

So the Pekingese, Lhaso Apso and Shitz Tzu came to be.