Chiribaya Dog

Chiribaya Dog
Other namesChiribaya Shepherd [Dog]
Peruvian Shepherd [Dog]
OriginPeru
Variety statusExtinct
NotesPre-Columbian
Dog (domestic dog)

The Chiribaya Dog (Spanish: perro Chiribaya) or Peruvian Shepherd Dog (perro pastor Peruano) is an extinct pre-Columbian breed of dog from the southwest of Peru. It has been established that it was a llama herding dog. The dogs were not only an important part of the social structure of the ancient Peruvians, but they received special treatment after death as well.[1] The remains were 1,000 years old.[2]

The dog variety has been referred to in various Spanish-language documentaries under different terms, such as el perro pastor Chribaya ('the Chiribaya shepherd dog') and pastor Peruano ('Peruvian shepherd'), though the ancient Peruvians did not keep sheep. Its original name is unknown (it has been referred to more ambiguously by the term perro Peruano or perro del Perú ('Peruvian dog', 'dog of Peru'), but this has also been applied to an extant but ancient hairless variety, referred to in more detail as perro sin pelo del Perú, 'hairless dog of Peru', or the Peruvian Inca Orchid, a favorite in South American dog shows).

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference caretas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference leo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).