7 South American Dog Breeds Every Dog Lover Should Know
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South American countries are celebrated for their rich biodiversity, vibrant cuisine, and deep-rooted cultural traditions. These nations are also home to a diverse array of charming dog breeds.
According to National Geographic, South America is a continent of extremes, boasting the world’s largest river and the driest place. This vast range of environments has shaped the development of unique dog breeds with specialized traits and abilities. Historically, indigenous cultures in South America bred dogs primarily for practical purposes such as hunting, guarding livestock, or even pulling sleds. This focus on utility has produced breeds that are not only strong and athletic but also skilled in specific tasks.
Moreover, the varied climates across the continent, from steamy tropical jungles to chilly mountainous regions, have led to the emergence of dog breeds with distinct coat types and survival adaptations suited to their environments.
Let’s explore seven fascinating South American dog breeds, each a testament to the continent’s natural diversity and cultural heritage.
South American Dog Breeds
1. Brazilian Terrier
The Brazilian Terrier is a small, spirited dog from Brazil, bred from a mix including Jack Russells, Parson Russells, fox terriers, and Chihuahuas. Known for being fearless and strong-willed, this breed excels in hunting vermin in Brazil’s rural areas.
The American Kennel Club praises the Brazilian Terrier for its fantastic temperament, making it suitable for both families and singles. It is intelligent, quickly learns new tasks, and enjoys a good relationship with its family members.
As an active and alert dog, the Brazilian Terrier is loyal and devoted, requiring a firm yet kind leader to prevent behavioral issues. They are energetic hunters and are not suitable around other small animals.
They love to play and dig, needing a yard for running and plenty of mental stimulation to stay content. Grooming is straightforward, as their short coat only needs weekly brushing.
2. Fila Brasileiro
The Brazilian Mastiff, or Fila Brasileiro, is a large, powerful dog bred for working roles such as guarding livestock, hunting, and tracking. According to Wikipedia, Fila Brasileiro is known for its aggressive temperament and natural guarding instincts, making it a breed that is not recommended for inexperienced dog owners.
Rather than attacking, the Fila Brasileiro is known to pin down its target, showcasing its controlled strength. When properly trained, these dogs are deeply loyal and affectionate with their families, willing to protect them at all costs. They are highly intelligent and intuitive but can be challenging to train due to their independent nature.
Due to their size and demeanor, the Fila Brasileiro faces restrictions or bans in several countries and can impact homeowners’ insurance policies in the U.S.
Despite their massive size, which might suggest clumsiness, they are surprisingly agile. Regarding their coat, it is a misconception that shorthaired dogs shed less; in fact, the Fila Brasileiro sheds quite a bit, with short hairs that can cover clothes and furniture.
3. Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino, a breed originating from Argentina, was originally developed for big-game hunting, particularly targeting wild boar and puma. Despite beind hunting dogs, Dogo Argentinos can adapt well to family life, becoming excellent companions under the right conditions.
These dogs require firm, consistent training and thorough socialization to harness their protective instincts appropriately. They are known for their loyalty, patience, and protective nature, making them suitable for families with older, respectful children.
Dogo Argentinos are not typically suitable for homes with small pets due to their high prey drive. They are intelligent, require ample daily exercise, and thrive on mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Their coat care is relatively simple, needing just occasional baths and brushings. This breed does not fare well in extreme temperatures, either hot or cold.
Britannica notes that while Dogo Argentinos are capable and robust athletes with a protective streak, they are not recommended for dog parks due to their potential for aggression.
4. Peruvian Hairless Dog
The Peruvian Inca Orchid, also known as the Inca Hairless Dog, is an ancient breed that hails from Peru. This breed has a rich history, believed to have migrated across regions with ancient civilizations.
Peruvian Hairless dog is an alert and lively dog, known for its intelligence and loyalty. CKCUSA states that these dogs form strong bonds with their family members and are affectionate and protective within their household. Although friendly and loving at home, they are naturally wary of strangers, making them excellent watchdogs.
The breed is intelligent and responsive to training, especially when motivated by positive reinforcement and encouragement, which makes them well-suited as family companions.
Due to their hairlessness, Peruvian Inca Orchids are not suited to living outdoors and need protection from the elements. They require sunscreen on sunny days to protect their sensitive skin and only occasional baths to maintain their cleanliness without drying out their skin. Their exercise needs can be met with playtime in a secured backyard or with several daily walks.
5. Chilean Fox Terrier
The Chilean Terrier, also known as the Chilean Fox Terrier, is a native breed from Chile that traces its origins back to the 1800s. The Chilean Terrier is a compact, well-balanced, and elegant dog, originally bred for activities like fox hunting and vermin control. Despite its hunting background, this breed is less aggressive than other terriers, making it a preferred companion dog.
They are known for their extreme loyalty and the strong bonds they form with their family members, often becoming devoted and affectionate pets. As watchdogs, Chilean Terriers are alert and vigilant, although they lack the size and aggression to serve as effective guard dogs.
According to Medium, they are active and intelligent, requiring plenty of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Their high prey drive makes them unsuitable companions for smaller pets, as they may give chase.
In terms of grooming, the Chilean Terrier is low-maintenance. A simple rub down with a cloth can remove most dirt, and a weekly brushing is sufficient to keep their coat in good condition.
6. Mucuchies
The Mucuchíes, also known as the Venezuelan Sheepdog, is a large breed that originated in Venezuela, descended from the Spanish Mastiff and the Great Pyrenees. Recognized as the national dog of Venezuela, the Mucuchíes has a storied history of herding and guarding livestock in the rugged Andean mountains.
They show a deep affection for their family members but are naturally cautious around strangers, which underscores their role as vigilant protectors. It’s important for potential owners to understand that the Mucuchíes thrives on companionship and can develop separation anxiety if left alone too frequently or for extended periods.
Their intelligence is a strong trait, but they also have a stubborn side and can become bored and impatient with training that is either too repetitive or too lengthy.
The Mucuchíes is a highly energetic breed that requires ample exercise, mental stimulation, and space to explore. Despite their thick coat, grooming is relatively straightforward, necessitating only a weekly brushing to remove dirt and prevent tangles.
7. Dogo Guatemalteco
The Dogo Guatemalteco is the only dog breed native to Guatemala and holds the distinction of being the country’s official national breed. Known for its exceptional qualities as a guard dog, the Dogo Guatemalteco is naturally wary of strangers, making it an excellent watchdog.
This breed forms very strong bonds with its family, often becoming particularly attached to a single person if it does not receive regular attention from multiple people. Such deep loyalty can make it challenging to re-home a Dogo Guatemalteco once it reaches adulthood.
The Dogo Guatemalteco requires a confident and assertive leader who can manage its strong personality traits, as it can become aggressive and difficult to control without firm guidance. It is a moderately active breed that naturally patrols its territory and therefore needs a secure fence to prevent it from wandering off.
Despite having a short and harsh coat, the breed requires regular grooming to manage its heavy, year-round shedding.
Conclusion
South American dogs represent a diverse and fascinating segment of the world’s canine population. From the powerful Argentine Dogo, known for its hunting prowess, to the unique Mexican Hairless Dog, these breeds showcase the rich canine heritage of Latin America.
These amazing dogs, just like the American Pit Bull Terrier, often misunderstood as a dangerous breed, demonstrate a range of abilities from companionship to specialized roles like guarding and hunting. Despite their differences, many of these breeds are closely related, sharing common ancestors with the New World dogs of the wild.
South American dogs continue to captivate dog enthusiasts around the globe, each breed contributing its own amazing qualities to the tapestry of global dog breeds.
