{"data":{"slug":"alopekis","name":"Alopekis","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/alopekis","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/alopekis","also_known_as":["Alepoudhitsa","Alepudoskylo","Venetaki","Zacharoskylo","Tsoupi","Bouboudi"],"kind":"landrace","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"spitz","label":"Spitz \u0026 Primitive","fci_group":5,"fci_group_name":"Spitz and Primitive Types"},"size":"Small","origin":"Greece","countries":["Greece"],"height_cm":{"min":25.0,"max":30.0},"weight_kg":{"min":4.0,"max":7.0},"life_expectancy_years":null,"temperament":["Loyal","Quiet","Friendly","Alert","Obedient"],"exercise_level":"Medium","wikipedia_views_60d":3029,"summary":"A small, fox-like primitive farm dog from Greece and the Balkans, valued as a rat-catcher, watchdog and companion. It is critically endangered and its history goes back thousands of years.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/alopekis-a1ca109ea1-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/alopekis-a1ca109ea1-640.webp","width":606,"height":448,"author":"S. Chleiounakis","license":"GFDL","license_url":"http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alopekis_white_male.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T14:52:20Z","ratings":{"energy":4,"exercise":3,"grooming":2,"shedding":3,"trainability":4,"barking":2,"kids":4,"other_dogs":4},"coat":"Double coat, short and smooth, or semi-long rough or wiry","colors":["White","Black","Brown","Black and white","Brown with fiery markings","Pale yellow"],"fun_fact":"Ancient Greeks believed the Alopekis came from a mating of dog and fox, and its name literally means that.","sections":{"overview":"The Alopekis is a small, ancient landrace found across Greece and neighbouring parts of the Balkans, most often in the farmland and villages of the north. It is not recognised by the FCI.\n\nIt was bred as a multipurpose farm dog that hunted pests, guarded the yard and helped with livestock. Numbers are unknown but it is critically endangered.","history":"Its domestication in Greece is said to predate the Mycenaean era. An engraved pithos from Thessaly in the Athens archaeological museum is thought to show its silhouette, and another find from Rafina dates to the Early Bronze Age.\n\nAristotle, Xenophon and Aristophanes all mention it, and the name means a cross between fox and dog, which they believed it was. Mass sterilisation of strays in some regions has cut its numbers, and Greek groups now work to preserve it.","appearance":"The Alopekis is small and fox-like with a wedge-shaped head, erect ears and a sickle or curled tail. The body is longer than tall and robust, with normal, unshortened limbs.\n\nIt stands about 25 to 30 cm and weighs 4 to 7 kg. The double coat comes short and smooth, semi-long and tufted, or semi-long and wiry.","personality":"Quiet, obedient and loyal, the Alopekis is expressive and friendly with people and usually good with children. It is alert and protective of farm animals.\n\nIt is a high-energy dog that can cover long distances and a capable hunter of rats and other pests. It adapts to both rural and urban homes.","care":"Daily walks and play are needed to burn off its energy, and it appreciates a job to do. A securely fenced garden is ideal.\n\nThe coat is easy to care for and tends to stay clean, and the dog itself is naturally tidy. Brush weekly, more in shedding season."},"recognition":{"fci_number":null,"fci_standard_url":null,"akc_url":null},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alopekis","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3635150","wikipedia_revision":1365632196},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:59:38Z"}}}