Latino & Hispanic heritage Month
Happy Latino/e/x/a & Hispanic Heritage Month!! We celebrate our community members, customers, and fellow employees a part of the diverse and immensely multicultural region of America Latina. When we think of America Latina dog breeds, most of us jump to ancient breeds like Chihuahuas and Xoloitzcuintli. In reality, the breeds of dogs is vast and as diverse as America Latina itself. The continent itself features a variety of biomes: deserts, tropical islands, mountains, tundra, and more. Let’s take a look at the many dog breeds that call this region home.
Dogo Argentino - Argentina
Dogos were bred relatively recently, since the 1920s. They were bred as big-game hunting dogs and are prized for their strength, stamina, bravery, and power. Many big dogs have hearts of gold and the Dogo is no different. They can be great family pets. As the name suggests, this canine originates from Argentina, where it developed as a big-game hunting dog. They're a relatively new breed, only around since the 1920s. Despite being bred for their strength, stamina, bravery, and power, they can make great family pets when matched appropriately with the right home. The dogs bred here have been well adjusted for their climate and have worked as companion dogs, herding, guard dogs, and hunting. The breed is a mix of Cordoba Fighting Dog, Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, and Dogue de Bordeaux. Phew quite the list.
Blanquito de La Habana - Cuba
The Havanese, also known as the Cuban Bichon, is the jewel of the Cuban Revolution. It has been bred on the tropical island since shortly after colonization. It has been a name stay of the island, even winning over the heart of a frequent traveler to Havana, Ernest Hemingway. Due to the many tumultuous periods in Cuba’s history of embargos, sanctions, blockades and more almost saw the extinction of this prized breed. They are a striking and charming breed that is a testament to the resilience of the Cuban people.
Barbucho - Chile
The Barbucho, Magellan sheepdog, or Patagonian Sheepdog is another recently bred dog, bred in the early 20th century. Bred in the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, the dog is an excellent herder. It is likely derived from European herding breeds such as the Old Welsh Grey Sheepdog. They have a lovely long, rough coat which is well adapted to the harsh climate of the region.
Fila Brasileiro - Brasil
Fila Brasileiro or Brazilian Mastiff is a rare, giant guard dog breed from Brasil with a muscular stature, distinctive thick and loose skin, powerful jaws, and an unusual topline profile along its back. These colossal dogs were developed on large plantations in Brasil where they were utilized as guard dogs, cattle herders, and to track, chase, catch, and hold large animals like jaguars. They are bred for livestock guardianship, but also are experts in hunting and tracking. They were bred during the early Colonial period. The Fila Brasileiro is nearly unmatched for its loyalty and devotion to its human family. In fact, the breed even sparked a saying in Brazil: “Fiel como um Fila” or “Faithful as a Fila.”
Chamuco - Mexico
The Chamuco or Mexican Pitbull Terrier is a new breed. They are a beautiful, brave, and powerful breed. Often kept for protection, they are wonderful guardians of the family. It is believed they were bred in the 1970s, mixing the American Pitbull Terrier with the now extinct Mexican Bulldog. They are kept mostly in Mexico in places like the Greater Puebla, Greater Toluca, Greater Queretaro, and Greater Mexico City area.
Potcake Dog - Bahamas
The Potcake dog is a mixed-breed of dog found in several Caribbean islands, but generally The Bahamas or Turks & Caicos Islands. They get their name from the traditional local dish of seasoned rice and pigeon peas, Perpetual stew which often left a cake of rice and other congealed ingredients. Three types of dogs are believed to have resulted in this breed. Dogs Arawak people brought to the Bahamas, terriers protecting supplies from traders in the area, and dogs from North Carolina that arrived with the British fleaing the American Revolutionary War. They are often found as stray dogs and overpopulation of the breed has become an issue on many of the islands of the Caribbean. A potcake dog named Amigo is the mascot of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama and the BEKIND Campaign, a collaboration with the HSUS to bring greater attention to animal welfare issues.
Gran Mastín de Borinquen - Borinquen
The Gran Mastín de Borinquen or Puerto Rican Mastiff is native to Puerto Rico and mainly used as guard dogs, but also to hunt invasive wild boar. As with many guard dogs, they have a true heart of gold, endlessly loyal to their family. An older breed dating back to the 16th century, this breed is a direct descendent of the Spanish Mastiff and various other native breeds. The breed is considered rare, and while it isn’t recognized by any major kennel club, it was established as an internationally recognized rare breed by la Sociedad Cynológica Caribeña in 1979 in an effort to restore the dog to its place among the Caribbean dog fancy.
Domini - Dominican Republic
The Domini or Pitsky is a cross between an American Staffordshire Terrier and Siberian Husky. The breed has admirers from all around the world, driving tourism in it’s native Dominican Republic. Pitskys love company and make great family pets. Although never bred to be a guard dog, they are strongly protective towards their family.
Fox Paulistinha - Brasil
The Fox Paulistinha or Brasilian Terrier is a mix of many different Old World Terrier breeds, thought to be Jack Russell Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers and Fox Terriers. Others hypothesize that the breed is derived from Spanish breeds such as the Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz and Ratonero Valenciano brought to Brazil in vessels during the period of the Iberian Union. They are smart, energetic dogs bred for their nack of hunting small animals. They are friendly and love to dig.
Cimarrón Uruguayo - Uruguay
The Cimarrón Uruguayo is a breed of molosser-type (or mastiff) dogs. Also known as Cimarrón Creole, Cimarrón Dog, Maroon Dog, Cerro Largo Dog, Uruguayan Gaucho Dog, or Perro Cimarrón. The Cimarrón Uruguayo mainly descends from the Alano Español and other European dogs brought by early colonizers and released or abandoned. The dogs adapted to living in the wild in Uruguay and in time became numerous. In the eighteenth century, attacks on livestock and even humans resulted in the dogs being hunted, with bounties paid by the government for each dog killed. However, many remained, especially in the highlands of Cerro Largo. Ranchers in the area would capture and tame the dogs, using them as guard dogs. The Cimarrón's survival story and fierceness has made it something of a national symbol in Uruguay and the breed is the mascot of the National Army of Uruguay.
Mucuchíes - Venezuela
The Mucuchíes or the Venezuelan sheepdog is the national dog of Venezuela, used for herding throughout the Andean mountains of Venezuela. It is believed the breed began in the 1800s through a mixing of guardian dogs such as the Spanish Mastiff and Great Pyrenees. By 1926, Mucuchíes were a staple companion throughout houses and ranches of the Andes and Caracas. They are integral to the farming communities of Venezuela. These dogs are loyal and affectionate companions and wonderful guardians. Mucuchíes are so celebrated in Venezuelan history that one is famous. Nevado, the dog of Revolutionary Venezuelan leader Simon Bolívar, is immortalized throughout the city of Mucuchíes. They were officially named the national dog breed of Venezuela in 1964.
Dogue Brasileiro - Brasil
The Dogue Brasileiro or Brasilian Dogo is a mastiff-type working dog breed originally bred in Caxias do Sul as a mix of Boxer and Bull Terrier. They are deeply loyal and affectionate towards family. Known as “O Guardião Urbano” or Urban Guardian, the Dogue Brasileiro is a strong and compact dog, adapted to the modern urban environment. The breed was created to be a great guard dog.
Buldogue campeiro - Brasil
The Buldogue Campeiro or Field Dog was traditionally used in southern Brasil as a catch dog, catching and holding cattle. It is believed to be descendant of the Old English Bulldog and Serrano Bulldog introduced by colonizers. During the 1970s, it faced extinction due to sanitation regulations at slaughterhouses forbidding the use of the dogs in that way.
Veadeiro pampeano - brasil
Veadeiro Pampeano or Pampas Deerhound is a Brasilian hunting dog also often found in Uruguay and Argentina. They were used to hunt, as the name suggests, Pampas Deer. It is also used to hunt invasive wild boar. Their origins are relatively unknown, but it is thought that this dog is a descendant of a group of primitive dogs, such as Podengos or Podencos Ibicencos, which had been brought to South America by colonizers. Others think that this breed is truly native to South America, supported by the fact that the dog is a common feature in several regions of Brasil. Due to their ability to hunt in packs, these dogs have a quiet demeanor, and they also make excellent companions. They are valued for being very docile and friendly with children, wherein they show patience and remain calm in the company of active children. They are also very attached to their owners and make excellent watchdogs that would alert their masters to the presence of strangers by barking.While the breed's intelligence and agility, in some cases, has been appreciated in context of activities like sheep and cattle herding, it is still regarded as having an inherent aptitude for hunting.
