Mucuchíes are Venezuela’s only native dog breed. Named after the town of Mucuchíes, these thick-coated beauties are perfectly suited for mountain weather. Mucuchíes are also known as “Snowy,” likely due to their fluffy white coats, or “Páramo’s dog” (Perro de los Peramos) which refers to the Páramo ecosystem that is located above the forest line. They love roaming the great outdoors.
Located in the highest mountain ranges of Venezuela, not only do the Mucuchíes have a cute name, these sheepherder dogs have quite memorable faces too.
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History
Though it’s difficult to trace the exact time Mucuchíes were first bred, most experts agree it began in the 1800s. Needing a breed that was fit for sheepherding and guarding livestock, Mucuchíes were bred from various livestock guard dogs brought from the Spanish. By 1926, Mucuchíes were found throughout households and fields of the Venezuela Andes and Caracas, and are an integral part of Venezuela’s farming community.
In fact, Mucuchíes are so celebrated in Venezuelan history that one is famous! Nevado, the dog of the famous Venezuelan leader Simon Bolívar, is immortalized in several statues and paintings around the city of Mucuchíes and beyond.
Due to their popularity, a group of breeders created a club in the 1960s to ensure proper uniformity in the breed. Because of their efforts, the Mucuchíes was officially named the national dog breed of Venezuela in 1964.
Physical Traits
Mucuchíes are thought to be decedents of large breeds such as the Spanish Mastiff, Great Pyrenees, and Pyrenean Mastiff. Though they aren’t as large as their supposed relatives, they are still sizeable mid-to-large sized dogs. Mucuchíes stand at 22-28 inches (56-71 cm) in height with a weight of 66-110 pounds (30-50 kg).
Not surprisingly, Mucuchíes coats are on the thick side due to the cool and unpredictable climate of the Venezuelan mountains. Their coats come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from pure white, white with patches of various brown shades, and perhaps most commonly white with black spots. Rarely but not often, you may find some Mucuchíes with some reddish tones, gray and tan spots, or pure black with white patterned spots.
Personality Traits
Even from puppyhood, you can see a glint of excitement in their eye. Mucuchíes are energetic and a little rambunctious, but also affectionate and trainable. Bred to herd sheep, these working dogs love responsibility and thrive in a social environment with humans and other dogs. They are highly intelligent and need a job to do.
From the beginning, it’s important that a Mucuchí get a pack leader. It’s the dog owner’s job to show who should be giving orders (and not the other way around!)
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Taking Care of a Mucuchí
A Mucuchi’s coat is thick and is meant to be brushed fairly regularly. Once summer rolls around, they begin to shed.
Due to their long ancestry of sheep herding, they need plenty of wiggle room. They love backyards, running around and being outside. Apartment living without an outdoor area is not best suited for this breed, as they thrive in a larger house and outdoor area. Take a Mucuchí on a daily brisk walk, and be sure to find a dog park so they can stretch their legs.
Mucuchíes are born to love openly and roam freely. With an intelligent and energetic spirit, Mucuchíes are friendly dogs and a great pet for an active family.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
