Concept of the breed
The modern concept of a breed
contemplates the existence of genetic inheritance producing a
homogeneous population, similar morphology, at least in the essential
characteristics shown in the breed standard or description.
This concept is little more than one
hundred years old, and most existing canine breeds today have been set
and standardized in the last fifty years.
The idea of creating a concept of
breed came from very developed countries, such as England or Germany,
and spread to the rest of the world, although it was adopted in Spain
quite late on. The great majority of Spanish breeds have been
standardized and recognized recently, and some have disappeared forever.
If this situation has affected
mainland Spain, the effect has been even greater in the Canarian
Archipelago.
The ‘podenco’ (a kind of hunting
hound) and the Canarian Dogo were recognized in the 1980s and the
majorero ( dog indigenous to Fuerteventura) in the 1990s. But, despite
the official recognition, the concept of breed is catching on very
slowly in the islands.
If this is the case now, what would it
have been like in the first half of the century, in the 1920s, 40s and
50s, with respect to the ‘gripping’ dog? Well, really there was no
awareness of this at all.
To confirm this situation we carried
out a survey among old breeders in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. In all,
twenty-four breeders were interviewed, ten of whom were over seventy and
fourteen over fifty.
Many of these people knew the
‘gripping’ dog from years before and they were asked about specimens
from before 1970, which was around when the breed began its revival and
people began to focus more on the bloodline of the dog.
When asked about the appearance of the
‘gripping’ dog, most of the people interviewed described it as a medium
sized animal, with a wide forehead and bricklike head, well-balanced and
spirited. However, there were differences of opinion about the height,
especially amongst the younger breeders, who described a taller animal.
There was no doubt that there was
little homogeneity in the breed and the breeders pointed out some
notable differences.
Of course, most of these people, who
had owned and bred ‘gripping’ dogs in their youths, preferred the dogs
of yesteryear, practical dogs that worked well, to the dogs nowadays.
The statements of the older breeders,
some of whom were interviewed, are of great interest with respect to the
existence and morphology of the ‘gripping’ dogs in the Canaries as they
establish the existence of the breed describing the most important
elements of the morphology of the dog:
- Massive
head.
- Well
developed trunk and forequarters.
- Medium
sized, low and broad set.
It is a well balanced animal, and is
very spirited, which is positive in training.
The concept of breed didn’t exist and
neither did anyone care. The most important thing was that the dog had
what it needed to do the job, which was usually to guard land and houses
and to herd livestock in the country.
After consulting qualified people, we
reached the following conclusions:
A) The ‘gripping’ dog, in spite of
a lack of morphological homogeneity, fits the somatic profile of a
Molosser, in that there are recurring essential elements (certain
aspects of the head, body, height, etc.).
B) The tasks of a ‘gripping’ dog
are always very similar and are carried out in a rural setting.
C) They constitute an ethnic group
of undoubtedly identity.
At this stage, we can state, with very
little margin of error, that the ‘gripping’ dog has always existed in
the Canaries, because it was necessary, and that it always constituted a
heterogeneous, but real, ethnic group.
We cannot speak of a typical Canarian
Dogo, as this did not exist at that time, because the whole concept of a
set type was unknown. However, there was always a ‘gripping’ dog in the
Canaries
The revival and awareness of the
breed, as a modern concept, started in the 1970s and was defined by the
laying down of the breed description, from whence it is called Canarian
Dogo.
Despite all that has been said, we are
completely in favor of there being a ‘gripping’ dog in the Canaries. It
is well known that an ethnic group is a most solid base for any breed,
from a modern viewpoint. This is exactly what has happened with this
dog.
This solid base, this starting point
is what gives the ‘gripping’ dog of the Canary Islands great
personality; as well as that genetic amalgam, it has age and tradition.
This tradition awards the breed the title of "ANCIENT BREED", with all
the honor that goes with it.
To achieve this is a priority, but it is slow work and hard. It is not
enough to just breed, each one going his own way, out of touch with
other breeders and concerned with what is best for himself. We have to
show our dogs, put our litters up against others and produce champions
that, in many cases, is a sign of leading animals and good breeders,
that will establish the route to success in the rise of the breed. And
we have to speak, yes, speak, not pontificate, and to establish, through
dialogue, what the best way to do the job is.
From book : "El Presa Canario"
paragraf "El concepto de raza" written by Manuel Martin
Bethencourt
MENCEY |