Mucuchies

Mucuchies
Mucuchies
	Mucuchies in the Venezuelan paramo, their natural habitat in Sierra Nevada de Merida
Other names	Snowy (Nevado) ; Paramo's dog (Perro de los Paramos)
Origin	Venezuela
	Dog (domestic dog)

The Mucuchies (Venezuelan Sheepdog) 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.

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 Andean 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.

Famous Mucuchies

Nevado was Simon Bolivar'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.

External links

This dog-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.