Xoloitzcuintle: The Mexican Hairless Dog
The Xoloitzcuintle, also known as the Mexican Hairless, is charming, good-tempered, and intelligent, and is likely to reward its owner with loyalty and affection.
The Xoloitzcuintle, also known as the Mexican Hairless, is charming, good-tempered, and intelligent, and is likely to reward its owner with loyalty and affection.
The true origins of the Peruvian Inca Orchid are lost in time, but dogs of this type are known to have been important in Inca
civilizations. There are two varieties of this breed: hairless and coated. The hairless Inca Orchid is better suited to indoor rather
than outdoor life because of its delicate skin.
Also known as the “American Dingo”, this dog’s ancestors are thought to have been domesticated and brought into North
America by early settlers from Asia.
Commonly known as the Portuguese Warren Hound, this breed has developed into several varieties with distinct differences in size and coat. Today’s dogs may be small (pequeno), medium (medio), or large (grande), and some are smooth-haired while others have moderately long, wiry coats.
This Sicilian breed, which may well have originated in the area immediately around Mount Etna, is rare outside its native country. Lithe and strong, the Cirneco dell’Etna
is built to run and hunt. Although good-natured, this dog is not an ideal option for owners who want a placid house pet.
Used in Spain as a pack dog for hunting rabbits, the Ibizan Hound can cover the
roughest ground at a “raking trot” characteristic of the breed. This dog also has an enormous jump and can easily leap over a garden fence. As long as an owner bears security in mind, the Ibizan Hound is not difficult to keep, but it is an all-action dog that needs relentless exercise.
Also known as the Podenco Canario, this hound – found on all the Canary Islands – has Egyptian roots dating back thousands of years. The breed has long been used as a
rabbit–hunter and is highly valued for its speed, keen sight, and excellent nose. Sensitive and restless, the Canarian Warren Hound is unable to adapt to a
quiet life indoors.
Although the modern Pharaoh Hound was developed in Malta, this graceful breed bears a strong resemblance to the prick-eared hunting dogs illustrated in the art and artefacts of ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh Hound is calm-tempered but needs a lot of exercise and, unless restrained outdoors, will fly off in pursuit of small animals, including other pets.
A hunting dog from Africa, the Basenji was used for driving big game, locating its prey by both sight and scent. Sleek and beautifully
built with an immaculate appearance, the Basenji is affectionate and fun-loving, and is a popular house dog. Unable to bark, it can,
however, make yodelling noises.
Bred in Israel as a watchdog and herder, the Canaan Dog has strong protective instincts that do not usually turn into aggression. It is highly intelligent, and with steady training makes a reliable and affectionate companion. Not a common breed, it has yet to achieve widespread popularity.
This rare dingo-like breed is a native of New Guinea, where it lives feral or in semi-domestication. The Singing Dog is kept as a curiosity in zoos worldwide but has become a challenging pet for a few dedicated owners. It has the extraordinary ability to vary the
notes of its howl, hence the name.