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The opening day was also due to include the judging of a variety of dog breeds, including miniature schnauzers, English toy terriers, Japanese spitz and chow chows.

The researchers’ analysis revealed eight main trajectories of what vonHoldt calls “dogdom”: terriers, sled dogs, sheepdogs and cattle dogs, sight hounds, spitzes and “primitive-type” dogs, scent hounds, pointing dogs and retrievers.

It is not thought that McGowan’s project has geographical links to the area, but it is likely the canines featured are the spitz breed of toy dog that originated from the region.

It is claimed Bittencourt normally travels with two dogs, a black spitz called Cookie and a white one named Canjica, which may have caused the confusion.

The American Kennel Club describes the Alaskan Malamute as “an affectionate, loyal, and playful but dignified dog” known as an “immensely strong, heavy-duty worker of spitz type.”