Mucuchies
Encyclopedia
The Mucuchies is a dog breed from Venezuela
. They have a short coat with feathering along their limbs. The coat color is either white or white with splashes of colors such as honey or tan, or shades of black and gray.
region of Venezuela
. These were shepherd and working dogs, watching and protecting livestock from predators. It is thought that the Mucuchíes developed from dogs brought to Venezuela by Spanish
explorers, and settlers, and that their ancestors may include the Spanish Mastiff
, Pyrenean Mastiff
and the Algerian Mastiff, as well as the Sheepdog of the Atlas or Aidi
and the Pyrenean. Over the years, these dogs were bred to develop a powerful and very versatile working dog. By 1926, the Mucuchíes could be found all throughout Venezuela and beyond. There is a well-known painting of Simon Bolivar
on a horse with a Mucuchíes given to him when he crossed the Andes during the Campaña Admirable. Bad breeding practices hurt the stock, and in 1961 a club formed to improve and oversee breeding. In 1964, the Mucuchíes was named the national dog of Venezuela. However, the club has disbanded and the future of this breed is uncertain.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. They have a short coat with feathering along their limbs. The coat color is either white or white with splashes of colors such as honey or tan, or shades of black and gray.
Size
Mucuchies weigh between 30 and 50 kilograms (66 to 110 pounds), and stand around 55.9 cm to 71.1 cm (22in. to 28in.)Temperament
Mucuchies are a very affectionate, intelligent, and active breed. Socialization and training are necessary for they can be aggressive with strangers.Origin
The origins of the Mucuchíes are not well understood. At the end of the 16th century, Spanish mountain dogs arrived in the AndeanAndes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
region of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. These were shepherd and working dogs, watching and protecting livestock from predators. It is thought that the Mucuchíes developed from dogs brought to Venezuela by Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
explorers, and settlers, and that their ancestors may include the Spanish Mastiff
Spanish Mastiff
The Spanish Mastiff, or Mastín Español is a large breed of dog, originating in Spain, originally bred to be a Livestock guardian dog and a guard dog whose purpose is to defend livestock from wolves and other predators...
, Pyrenean Mastiff
Pyrenean Mastiff
The Pyrenean Mastiff is a large breed of dog originally from the Aragonese Pyrenees in Spain.- Description :The Pyrenean Mastiff is a very large dog, males 77 cm and females 71 cm at the withers, although they can be up to 81 cm . They have a heavy white coat with large darker spots...
and the Algerian Mastiff, as well as the Sheepdog of the Atlas or Aidi
Aidi
The Aidi or Chien de l'Atlas is a Moroccan dog breed used as a flock guard, protecting herds of sheep and goats. It also possesses hunting capabilities and good scenting ability...
and the Pyrenean. Over the years, these dogs were bred to develop a powerful and very versatile working dog. By 1926, the Mucuchíes could be found all throughout Venezuela and beyond. There is a well-known painting of Simon Bolivar
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Yeiter, commonly known as Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader...
on a horse with a Mucuchíes given to him when he crossed the Andes during the Campaña Admirable. Bad breeding practices hurt the stock, and in 1961 a club formed to improve and oversee breeding. In 1964, the Mucuchíes was named the national dog of Venezuela. However, the club has disbanded and the future of this breed is uncertain.
Famous Mucuchies
- NevadoNevadoNevado was a Mucuchies dog that was given to Simón Bolívar by the local people of Mucuchíes, Mérida, in the Venezuelan Andes. It was given as a kind of present shortly after the Battle of Niquitao during his triumphal Admirable Campaign from New Granada to Caracas in 1813...
was Simon BolivarSimón BolívarSimón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Yeiter, commonly known as Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader...
's dog and stayed with him in the wars until its death.
Care
This breed should be taken out on a daily, long, brisk walk and/or jog. Additionally, this breed needs a large area to run and play. Not much grooming required.See also
- Akbash DogAkbash DogThe Akbash Dog is native to western Turkey in the region known as the Akbaş, and it is primarily used as a livestock guardian dog.-History:...
- Great Pyrenees
- KuvaszKuvaszThe Kuvasz is a dog breed of ancient Hungarian origin. Mention of the breed can be found in old Hungarian texts. It has historically been used to guard livestock, but has been increasingly found in homes as a pet over the last seventy years....
- Maremma SheepdogMaremma SheepdogThe Maremma Sheepdog, in Italian Cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, usually referred to as just Maremmano, is a breed of livestock guardian dog indigenous to central Italy, particularly to Abruzzo and the Maremma region of Tuscany and Lazio. It has been used for centuries by Italian shepherds to...
- Pyrenean MastiffPyrenean MastiffThe Pyrenean Mastiff is a large breed of dog originally from the Aragonese Pyrenees in Spain.- Description :The Pyrenean Mastiff is a very large dog, males 77 cm and females 71 cm at the withers, although they can be up to 81 cm . They have a heavy white coat with large darker spots...
- Polish Tatra Sheepdog
- Slovak CuvacSlovak cuvacThe Slovak Cuvac is a Slovak breed of dog, bred for use as a livestock guard dog. This mountain dog—also known as Slovensky Cuvac, Slovak Chuvach, Tatransky Cuvac and Slovensky Kuvac—is closely related to the Hungarian Kuvasz. The alternate German and English spelling Tchouvatch reflects the...