Relief fragment with two puppies

Dogs held a cherished place in Ancient Egyptian life, not merely as pets but as hunters, guardians, and at times, even sacred symbols. The domestication of dogs in Egypt stretches back thousands of years, with canines appearing in Predynastic art and burial contexts. By the Old Kingdom, they were depicted with collars, indicating both taming and affection.

A variety of breeds existed, or at least distinct types: lanky greyhound-like hunting hounds with alert ears and curved tails; stockier, mastiff-like animals used as guards; and spotted or shaggy-coated dogs that hint at desert or Nubian lineage. These types are clearly delineated in tomb paintings and reliefs, particularly in the New Kingdom, where dogs often accompany their masters on hunts or stride proudly beside royal chariots in triumphal scenes.

In such art, hounds are seen chasing gazelles or bringing down fierce desert game. One especially striking motif shows hunting dogs leaping ahead of the Pharaoh’s chariot, ears flying and teeth bared, as they help subdue both animals and, symbolically, foreign enemies, a potent expression of loyalty and control.

Far from being relegated to the periphery of daily life, dogs were welcomed into eternity alongside their owners. Tombs often include affectionate depictions of dogs playing, resting, or seated beneath their master’s chair. Some dogs were even named and eulogised in hieroglyphs, names like Abuwy (“Pointy Ears”) or Tekal (“Trusty”). There are also instances of dog burials, both alongside human tombs and in dedicated cemeteries, with some mummified to accompany their humans beyond the veil.

Dogs were also intertwined with divine imagery. Anubis, the jackal-headed god of embalming and the dead, may have roots in early canine worship, his form inspired, at least in part, by the local wild dog or African golden wolf. Thus, the dog served not only as a guardian in this life, but as a guide and protector in the next.

Carved in low relief, this limestone fragment depicts a scene which likely once belonged to a larger tableau; perhaps a triumphant desert hunt, where hounds raced alongside chariots in pursuit of game, or perhaps a gentler domestic scene, for Old Kingdom tomb art also showed collared dogs being led on foot, accompanying their masters through fields or village paths.

With ears pricked and heads gently lowered, these two youthful dogs appear frozen in a moment of tentative wonder, almost as if they are sensing, but not yet understanding, the world beyond their gaze. Though modest in size, the relief is rich in character, offering a quiet counterpoint to the more dynamic scenes it may have once accompanied. Despite their small scale, these pups speak volumes, capturing the Ancient Egyptians’ fondness for their four-legged companions with endearing subtlety.

Summary:

Limestone Fragment Depicting Puppies

Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, reign of Niuserre–Unis, 2400–2323 B.C.

From the core of the Pyramid Complex of Amenemhat I, Lisht North, in the Memphite region of Egypt

Met Museum. 09.180.134