Fuegian Dog

Fuegian Dog
	;
Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
	Conservation Status
	; Extinct

The Fuegian Dog, also known as the Yaghan Dog or Maned Dog, is an extinct variant of the domesticated fox. It was a domesticated form of the Culpeo or Andean fox, unlike other domesticated canids which were domesticated from the Grey Wolf or Red Fox.

History[]

The breed first appeared around the 16th century in Chile. They were used by the Salk'nam and Yaghan natives to hunt animals such as otters. They also served as a source of warmth for the native peoples. Once it became cold, the dogs would huddle together with their masters to share body heat.

Description[]

Like their ancestors, Fuegian Dogs had erect ears, a pointed snout, and a thick tail. Unlike their ancestors, dogs had long tawny or white hair. It can be inferred that the Fuegian Dog was similar in size to the wild culpeo, which weighs 5 to 13.5 kg (11 to 30 lb). They were described by Anglo-Argentine rancher Lucas Bridges as a stunted cross between the German Shepard and a wolf.

Reproduction[]

Fuegan Dogs gave birth to 5-8 puppies at a time.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality[]

Fuegian dogs were affectionate dogs, but they were known for being independent, disloyal, and unpredictable. Argentine mass murderer/explorer Julius Popper noted that they never defended their owners in times of danger.

Extinction[]

In 1919, when Silesian missionary Martin Gusinde visited the local Yahgans, he noticed that all of their dogs seemed to be missing. The local people informed him told him the entire population had been exterminated as they were "dangerous to men and cattle". This "fierce" nature of the Fuegian Dog was apparently witnessed by missionary Thomas Bridges in the 1880s, who reported that the dogs attacked his mission's goats. This remains dubious, as he provided little additional details.