Dogs

Dogs (Ad. "Rabîm"; Har. "Súndi") were an ancient breed of Kelvar. They were akin to wolves though it was not fully clear if dogs descended from wolves of if wolves (at last some of their breeds) were the descendants of wild dogs, corrupted by the Dark Lord.

Even the early Elves of Cuivienen knew wild dogs or wolves, an ancient breed, the "Ulukur", from which the "Swandêr", a breed of Dog common among the Avari descended. Some archaic breeds of dogs seem to have accompanied the Elves on their great wandering, though these may already have been great hounds of Valinor, noble and intelligent creatures that had been elevated and provided with souls by Eru. When the Noldor returned to Middle-Earth they brought back with them a few of these "Hûath".

However back in Middle-Earth several derived breeds of dog had been bred; examples:

• the "Araf" - a small and swift Wolf-Dog
• "Beorning-dogs" - grey dogs with large bodies, intelligent with clever paws, possibly ancestors or relatives of the rohirric breeds.
• "Gôbir" - large hounds
• "Grár" - shaggy, big "Bear-Dogs"
• "Harog Niben" or "Harog Mîw" - "Littie Dogs", tiny pet dogs
• "Héah-hundas" and "Hrodh-hundas" "Déor-hundas" were rohirric dog-breeds, "Bear-hounds" that were related to the intelligent dogs of the Beornings. The Hrodh-hundas were especially large dogs used for herding and to protect farms from predators while the Déor-hund was a smaller, faster breed used for hunting. The Héah-hundas were a noble, royal breed, very intelligent and good-natured, who were considered almost family members and loyal companions, even play-mates for children.
• "Hûath" - Noble Hounds of Valinor
• "Swandêr" - archaic Avar-dogs
• "Rabî" - Númenórean Hounds
• "Rhyn Nibin" - small chasers
• "Ronyar" - Valinorian dogs of Chase

In later Ages many more and more specialized breeds evolved:

• Barghests
  • Cun Annun
  • Firehounds
  • Uffern-helgi
• Beorning hounds
• Bloodhounds
• Dogs of Rohan
• Dunmen´s dogs
• Harad-Dogs
• Herd-Dogs
• Hillman Wolfhounds
• Hobbit Hounds
  • Shire Boxers
• Kiuneh
• Lion Hounds
• Marsh mastiffs
• Merisc Tyka
  • feral dogs of the Talath Harroch
• Sheep hounds or Huotonath
  • Huoton Cinta a far smaller pet dog variant
• Morgûl-Hounds or Hounds of Sauron
• Oliphaunt Hounds
• Plains-hounds
• Royal Hounds
• Sled-dogs or Rekikoirat of the Forodwaith
• Small Wild Dogs of Gondor
• Terriers
• Wûkh
• War-Dogs
• War-wolves of Angmar
• War-wolves of Wâw
• Wild hounds
• Wolf-hounds
• Wood-Dogs

Individual Dogs of Note

• Fang
• Gip
• Gorgumoth
• Grip (Hound of Bill Butcher)
• Grip (Hound of Farmer Maggot)
• Huan
• Nidhol
• Nuag
• Roverandom
• Wolf (Dog)