12 Latin American dog breeds that are a beautiful heritage for the world

Breed or not, all dogs deserve to be loved and cared for. However, there are some that people are looking for the most, because thanks to them they have discovered an important part of the history of the place where they live. Rescuing and preserving them reveals valuable information about a community, but also broadens the stories of mixed-race dogs that we see daily. They give us an idea of ​​where their characteristics and even their behaviors come from.

At the awesome.club we want to celebrate the beauty of some Latin American dog breeds. Do you already know which ones we’re talking about? If you have one at home, it means you are lucky! If not, but you find one of these for adoption, don’t think twice.

Originally from the Cordoba region of Argentina. Its creator was Dr. Antonio Nores Martínez, when he was looking for a breed to help him hunt wild boar, pumas and species that made the work of farmers and cattle breeders in the region difficult.

As he was conceived to work in a group, he learned to socialize very well with other dogs and to carry out activities to develop his strong instinct for protection. An animal with a lot of energy, which makes him a great athlete.

It has been known since ancient times, when it walked through all regions of the territory protecting the tropeiros’ entourages, in charge of driving cattle through the fields. In the 19th century, it was called “cabeçudo” for its notoriously large, flat head.

Another of the characteristics of this dog, and which still persists, is loyalty, as it seeks the company of its human friends a lot. He is also extremely tolerant of children, brave and docile.

According to one of the theories about its origin, this little one, informally known as fox paulistinha, resulted from the crossing of European dogs of the terrier breed, which arrived in Brazil in the caravels coming from Spain between 1580 and 1640. It was used for hunting rodents, especially in warehouses and farms.

Dogs of the breed are distinguished by being attentive, active and smart. They are friendly and kind to acquaintances, but wary of strangers.

This dog has as many names in its country of origin (calato, chimo, chimoc, chimú, inca) as it has followers. After being saved from extinction, in 2000 they attributed an important role in Mexican history, declaring it a national cultural heritage.

The absence of hair aroused curiosity in Peruvians of different times and was represented in ceramic pieces and iconographic paintings. The breed has always been portrayed as a companion. Its temperament has not changed: it is a gentle and affectionate animal.

Coming from the western Mediterranean region, it developed in Cuba thanks to Italian captains who took it there. Nowadays, this furry dog ​​takes its name from the patriotic adjective of the country’s capital.

He is affectionate, funny and playful. The Havanese, or Havanese, as it is also known, is wonderful company, especially for older people, with whom they tend to have greater empathy.

Its name comes from a word formerly used in Hispanic America to describe those who did not accept the rules of the colonizers and took refuge on top of the mountains and in the valleys. The cimarron is the result of years of surviving the various natural conditions it faced after being left to its own devices by the Spaniards who took it to the American continent.

Later, the locals accepted it, turning it into a symbol of the struggle for independence. Now, the dog, whose ears look like a puma’s due to the cut he got when he was a puppy, is a special guest at one of the most important parades in Uruguay.

Also known as shepherd chiribaya, it is a pre-Columbian breed identified thanks to 43 dog mummies discovered in 2006. This research led to the hypothesis that some of today’s Peruvian dogs are descendants of the chiribaya, which was used for herding. of herds of llamas.

It is the smallest dog in the world and one of the oldest in America. Its name, according to one of the versions, is due to the Mexican state of Chihuahua where its predecessor, the techichi, which lived in nature, was captured and domesticated by the Toltec civilization.

The current one is smaller and weighs no more than three kilos. He is smart, attentive, restless, courageous and sometimes acts like a big dog.

This dog native to Mexico and Central America has been an unconditional companion since ancient times. In fact, his Mexican owners believed he would accompany them on their way to their eternal resting place. In the country’s mythology, he was the god of transformation, the monstrous and death.

Its name, Xoloitzcuintle, comes from the Nahuatl language: xólotl, which means strange or misshapen; and itzcuintli, which means dog. It is characterized by its hairless body, but also for being silent, peaceful, cheerful, attentive and very intelligent.

Also known as the Mexican wolfdog, this peculiar breed appears as a hybrid between the dog and the gray wolf, thanks to the similarity between the two species. The first documented case of a specimen was recorded in 1999, when the Mexican Canine Federation recognized it as the third native breed in the country.

It was an animal with great spiritual significance in pre-Hispanic times. Nowadays, it is in the group of herding dogs. It is versatile, able to adapt to any activity. It is also very agile, dynamic and always wants to please its human friend.

The Magellan Shepherd Dog is a Chilean breed, specifically from the region of Aysén and Magallanes. Its origin dates back to 1897, when historical documents mentioned some of its characteristics and its great value to the community, due to its herding skills.

Today, the breed remains a favorite of many people for livestock work in Patagonia.

This medium-sized dog, with a good sense of smell, short hair, almond-shaped eyes and long ears, was recognized by the Club Canino Colombiano as the breed of the country after 2015, when more than 150 specimens with similar characteristics were found. The animal is the result of the evolution of hounds, introduced by Europeans from 1492 to 1830, used mainly for hunting.

To this day, breeders work to increase the number of copies of the breed.

Do you have one of these puppies at home? Did you know that their origin is Latin American? Show us your pet in the comments.