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The Alopekis is a small short-legged dog which were, at one time, considered to be the same breed (but different varieties) as the Small Greek Domestic Dog. These dogs originated in Greece, where there name is derived from the Greek word, "alopecis", meaning "small and fox like". These are very common dogs in their native land, many being average stray dogs, but are today being bred selectively to ensure the continuation of the sweet and adorable little dog. A point of interest is that there was once a hairless variety of the breed that is now completely non-existent.

Today, this breed is accepted for registry in the Dog Registry of America, the DRA. They are classified under the "Primitive" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

The Alopekis is longer than it is tall. According to breed standards, the dogs should be between 8 and 12 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between 6.5 to 15.5 pounds, with males typically being slightly larger than females of the breed. The Alopekis does indeed have delicate, fox-like facial features on the wedge-shaped head. The triangular ears are pricked, rather large, and are held in the upright position. The muzzle is also wedged and broad at its root. The jaw is very strong and the teeth meet in a scissor bite. The eyes are rather large and are between an almond and a round shape, colored according to the coat shading. The nose and lips are black. The tail is long and slightly curved at the end.

The Alopekis is double-coated, having an outer coat that is rough and smooth, and an undercoat that is soft and dense. Any coat color is acceptable, as long as the dog is not albino. The fur should have at least a light sheen to it and may also have a slight wave in some dogs. Their grooming is quite easy. A weekly thorough brushing with a stiff bristled brush and a shampoo when needed will suffice. The breed are medium to heavy shedders.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially in areas such as agility that are similar to one big game. Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are patient, consistent and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly. Potty training should be done with crating, or there will almost always be problems in this area.

The Alopekis is a dog that will do well in either the city or the country. They are excellent companions, as well as tenacious about removing vermin from the farm setting. They are also very devoted to their families and will let them know when someone is approaching, making them good "alert dogs". They are affectionate and loving with their families, both the humans and the other animals in the home. These are very social dogs and love even newcomers as long as there is no danger to their families. This little dog loves to play and will do so for hours! They are very active and need to have room to run, having some time to play off the leash. They should also have a brisk walk daily. They have active minds, as well, and should have mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and developing some undesirable behaviors, such as obsessive barking and destructiveness. The average life expectancy of the Alopekis is between 14 and 16 years.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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