The history of the origin of the Uruguayan Cimarron, the standard of appearance, character, description of health, advice on care and training, interesting facts. Purchase price. The Uruguayan Cimarron is a dog with a surprisingly exotic name for a European ear, which has no less exotic appearance. A kind of little Great Dane, with an attentive and curious look, painted in a tiger strip. And I must say that this dog has not only stripes from a tiger. Cimarron is an amazingly brave, freedom-loving and independent animal, extremely loyal to its owner and capable of doing a lot of things that dogs of other breeds are not capable of.
The origin of the Uruguayan Simarron breed
Uruguayan Simarron (Cimarron Uruguayo), aka Maroon Dog, aka Uruguayan wild dog or gaucho dog (Uruguayan Gaucho Dog) is the pride and visiting card of Uruguay, a state located in the southeastern part of South America.
Historians of the breed and cynologists still have no consensus about the roots of this exotic dog breed for Europeans. But most of them are inclined to believe that the ancestors of the native Uruguayan breed came to the South American continent thanks to the Spanish navigator and conquistador Juan Diaz de Solis. It was he who was the first of the Europeans who managed to reach the shores of the Gulf of La Plata and landed on the territory of the unfriendly Indian tribes of the Charrua and Guaraní in 1516. The landing ended in failure, de Solis's detachment was attacked by the Charrua Indians and completely defeated, and he himself died in the battle. Large fighting dogs of the conquistadors, used against the Indians and who were with the detachment, were partly killed, partly fled, and over time, completely feral, mixed with the local species of wild dogs, significantly improving and enlarging their appearance.
However, there is another version. According to this legend, the ancestors of the breed were domesticated by the Indians of local tribes in ancient times and were used as herding dogs to guard livestock. Gradually, as a result of natural selection and unplanned Indian breeding, the Simarron dogs acquired the appearance that later impressed the Europeans and inspired them for further selection.
The very name of the breed has Spanish roots. The word "cimarron" in translation from the Spanish-Uruguayan dialect means "wild" or "runaway". So, apparently, both versions of the origins of the breed have a right to exist. Also, researchers of the origin of the breed note that during the development of the New World, the colonizers who imported large breeds of dogs (Great Danes, mastiffs and others) to the South American continent could not always feed them on their own, and therefore let them go to the pampas for "free bread" … Such dogs eventually became semi-wild, interbreeding and gathering in flocks with the same "free" animals. But over time, there were so many large semi-wild dogs in Uruguay that, in search of food, they began to attack the settlers' livestock. The government took measures to exterminate the stray flocks. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, thousands of dogs were exterminated in Uruguay and Brazil. As a result, only the smartest, fastest and strongest survived.
Be that as it may, the settlers from the Old World quickly recognized the value of these magnificent strong animals, starting to re-tame them everywhere, using them as guards for their possessions and as herding dogs to help the gaucho in grazing cattle. Local rangers began to use the breed for hunting big game. Thus, through the efforts of many of these unknown people in Uruguay, the aboriginal Cimarron breed of dogs was formed, unlike any other.
For the first time, Simarrón dogs took part in the National Canine Championship of Uruguay in 1969. And in 1989 this unique breed received national recognition. At the same time, the official registration of the species took place, and its clear standards were determined.
At present, there are about 2000 purebred Uruguayan Simarrons in Uruguay. Outside this country, the breed is bred in Brazil, USA and Argentina. There are not so many Simarron dogs in Europe. There are nurseries only in Sweden and the Czech Republic. In other countries and on other continents, the breed is still little known and exotic.
In the 80s of the XX century, the selection of gaucho dogs was already taken seriously and on a scientific basis. Genetic studies were carried out at the University of Montevideo. Currently, breeders of the breed are constantly collaborating on breeding issues with this university, as well as with the College of Veterinary Medicine in Montevideo.
In 2006, the Uruguayan Cimarron was provisionally recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. So this breed definitely has a future.
Purpose and use of dogs of the Uruguayan breed
Initially, Uruguayan dogs were used exclusively as herding dogs for guarding and grazing herds. Usually these were herds of cattle and, less often, horses. Later, the dog was also used to guard dwellings, cattle pens and farmers' outbuildings. In later times, these strong dogs were trained to hunt wild boar, wolf and other large game animals. On the territory of Brazil, they were also used to search for and prosecute fugitive slaves (yes, there was such an unpleasant page in their history).
Nowadays, Cimarrons are already more acquired by animal lovers as companion dogs, and sometimes as fighting dogs for dog fights.
Here is such a multifunctional dog.
Cimarron external standard
The general impression that this dog makes is of medium size, strong, muscular, compact, with good intelligence and intelligent expression of eyes, dexterous, courageous and courageous. The height at the withers reaches 58–61 centimeters. Body weight - from 35 to 40 kg. Males are somewhat larger than females.
- Head rather large, square-elongated, with a small occipital protuberance. The stop is moderate. The muzzle is broad and powerful. The upper lips are covered with large flews. The cheeks are well developed, but not droopy. The jaws are proportionate. Teeth are the norm with large canines. Scissor bite. The bridge of the nose is wide. The nose is black.
- Eyes the Uruguayan Cimarrone is medium in size, almond-shaped, the area around the eyes is completely pigmented in accordance with the main color. The color of the eyes is brown or dark brown. The preference for the assessment is given to an eye color that is darker than the base color of the skin. The expression in the eyes is inquisitive.
- Ears medium-sized, drooping, triangular in shape. In dogs of the fighting direction, they are docked by more than half.
- Neck very strong, well muscled, of medium length.
- Torso Simarron dogs are elongated, of medium size, but very strong and muscular. The chest is broad, well developed with thick ribs. The withers are well defined. The loin is short, strong and slightly arched. The croup is long and wide, sloping 30 degrees from the horizontal. The back line is straight.
- Tail Moderately low set, thick. Tail movements are carried out in a horizontal plane with a slight upward movement.
- Limbs Uruguayan Cimarron straight, strong, very muscular, of medium length. Paws are large, oval in shape. The paw pads are elastic, black or gray.
- Wool short and smooth, with a small undercoat.
- Color - brindle. The standards allow all shades of yellowish-brown color, with a black or darkened mask on the animal's face. A mask is optional. White markings are allowed on the lower jaw, lower neck, chest and abdomen, and lower limbs. The presence of white patches of wool elsewhere is not allowed.
Uruguayan wild dog character
Despite its rather fierce appearance, for any Uruguayan owner (and especially a farmer or a villager) there is no, and there cannot be, a better and more faithful friend than this dog. No, he does not differ in a particularly affectionate disposition and especially gentle manifestations of feelings, but he is extremely loyal and devoted to his owner, is always able to protect him and his family members from danger, obedient and unpretentious, disciplined. He is always there and always ready for action, like a good revolver or Winchester.
It so happened that the Cimarrons feel best in rural or forest areas, where there is a certain freedom and something to do. This is an excellent shepherd dog, capable of perfectly guarding and protecting livestock from the attack of predators. Also, a reliable vigilant guard of the house, guarding the owner's property. An excellent hunter, with a keen instinct and absolute fearlessness. This is a wonderful escort who will definitely lead you where you need to without getting lost and not getting lost in the wild forest. That is, the representative of the breed is a very multifunctional, easily trained and intelligent dog, capable of constantly surprising you with new skills and talents.
Naturally energetic, Cimarrone needs constant physical activity and movement. Therefore, it is perfect for people of a sports warehouse or hunters. Here he really falls into place with his indefatigability and endurance. Cimarrons are very strong, courageous and fearless dogs. Moreover, not every owner is able to cope with such a dog. Centuries of independent survival in the wild have left a certain imprint on the character of these animals. By making them very independent and self-reliant creatures, not too trusting and able to dominate relationships. A beginner is unlikely to be able to independently cope with such a serious and rather aggressive working dog when defending his rights, designed to chase and catch large prey.
The instinct of constant action often drives this "conqueror of the pampas" on a long journey. These dogs are prone to vagrancy and wandering (and this is probably at the genetic level). Therefore, such a dog will not stay for a long time with a bad owner - it will certainly "slip away" at the most inopportune moment.
Despite everything, the Uruguayans consider their native striped dog to be the best dog in the world. He is a kind of symbol of this freedom-loving people with a good-natured, but strong and desperately fearless character, capable of selflessly working and, if necessary, standing up for themselves.
Uruguayan Cimarron health
The Uruguayan wild dogs, being an entirely aboriginal breed, worked on by nature itself, have excellent robust health and a remarkable persistent immunity to infections. It is because of this that the described animals live for a very long time (especially by the standards of large dog breeds), living up to 14 years.
However, they also have a health problem common to all large dog breeds - elbow and hip dysplasia. Unfortunately, so far, breeders manage to cope with this problem only by constantly culling puppies at an early stage of the disease and crossing later on stronger and not predisposed to dysplasia individuals.
Also, veterinarians noted the predisposition of dogs of this breed to the formation of dental calculus. That requires constant monitoring and dental preventive examinations.
Tips for caring for Cimarron and the nuances of training
The good health of the Uruguayan dogs, their strong immunity to diseases and a short, unpretentious coat in care allows the owners of these dogs to get by with the very minimum. The dog does not need tedious combing and constant bathing. It is enough to regularly wipe your pet's coat with a damp towel, and only occasionally brush its striped coat with a rubber brush with short teeth. If you do this regularly, there will be no problems.
But to feed these, considered to be medium in size, dogs need to be well and efficiently. After all, this animal is quite energetic and has a good mass. Yes, and too rare and expensive to save on it. Therefore, it is best to feed this dog with industrial food of the holistic class, supplementing the diet with vitamin and mineral complexes and special dressings to improve the condition of the coat.
The most convenient way of keeping is a spacious and comfortable aviary. However, it is possible to keep in the apartment, if the area allows.
These dogs are very smart and can quickly master a variety of skills. But their training is not so simple. They are quite stubborn and independent. And they feel too good people with a weak character to obey them. Therefore, the Uruguayan Simarrons must, from a young age, try to normalize obedience and socialize. And it will be better if an experienced professional cynologist is able to find an individual approach to each specific animal. For a beginner, training such a complex and strong dog with aggressive tendencies will be too tough.
Interesting facts about Cimarrone
Connoisseurs of the breed, describing the reliability and loyalty of the Uruguayan national symbol - the Cimarron dogs, like to quote the statement of the Uruguayan national hero and fighter for independence from Spain Jose Gervasio Artigas: “When I run out of soldiers, I will fight with the Cimarron dogs” (“When I will run out of soldiers, I will fight with the Simarron dogs”).
Price when buying a puppy of the Uruguayan Cimarron breed
Dogs of this breed are quite rare animals even for their homeland of South America. Not to mention Europe, Australia and Asia. In Europe, the first Simarron nurseries appeared only relatively recently - in the Czech Republic and Sweden. In Russia, as in the rest of the CIS countries, these dogs are still little known and are not specially bred. So, the acquisition of puppies of this breed is still associated with certain difficulties, trips to South America, which is far from accessible to many.
And this artificial elitism undoubtedly affected the cost of animals. Even in the countries of breeding, these dogs cost very good money - from 4000 US dollars and more (in Brazil). Most of the Cimarron kennels in Uruguay do not advertise the cost of the puppies sold at all, preferring to negotiate the price at a personal meeting.
See how the puppies of the Uruguayan wild dog look in this video:
