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Hommage

CULTURAL LIVING HERITAGE
‘the last of their kind’

A series about endangered pet breeds

This work pays tribute to all domesticated animal breeds that are in danger of extinction. An overall picture of the series, inspired by the fabulous works of Roelant Savery. Here you can see all the breeds that you encounter elsewhere, individually, in this series. But the show, which is stolen by an animal I owe you an introduction to: the Saarloos Wolfhound, named Smoke.

The dog is one of the first domesticated pets and in the past it was mainly used as a hunting dog, decoy dog ​​and sheep herder or herder. It is estimated that the dog would have been domesticated in East Asia as early as fifteen thousand years ago. From there, the animal has spread all over the world and a great diversity of external characteristics and character traits could arise. Today, dogs are one of the most popular companion animals and can no longer be ignored as a loyal family friend.

Saarlooswolfhond
The Saarlooswolfhond is a breed as complex as it is fascinating. The dog gets its name from Leendert Saarloos from Dordrecht, who created the breed in 1930. Saarloos crossed a German Shepherd with a European she-wolf to create a breed with the work ethic of a shepherd and the stamina and strength of a wolf. The ideal house dog and working dog in the eyes of Saarloos. However, he partially achieved his goal. The Saarloos Wolfdog has proven to be a real family and companion dog with its careful, affectionate and reliable character.

Remarkable about Saarloos’ crossing is also the backward development; back to the roots, to the origin of all dog breeds. In 1975 the Saarlooswolfhond was officially accepted as a Dutch breed. The dog is quite rare outside the Netherlands, but seems to be gaining popularity.

Status: endangered
Number of bitches: 400
Trend in the last 15 years: stable

Thanks to:
Dutch Association of Saarloos Wolf Dogs
Nanouk Immers (owner Smoke).

Short about the series
CULTURAL LIVING HERITAGE
‘the last of their kind’

A series on rare pet breeds; the first domesticated (agricultural) pets in danger of extinction. The process of disappearing varieties and crops has accelerated greatly in the last 70 years. I want to stimulate that awareness and the discussion about animal welfare in a positive way through this project. The series should give a nice insight into the different races and their identities. An ode to the dying breed with recognition for the cultural landscape of the provinces where the breed originated or was common. By showing how it used to be or looked like, or should look like, connecting with now.