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Interesting Stuff about the Arubian Cunucu Dog
Origins of the Arubian Cunucu Dog
The roots of
this rare breed reach far back into history. Until recently it has been difficult to trace the origins these canines, but,
today, thanks to modern DNA testing and the groundbreaking work of Dutch geneticist C.T.
Groesbeck, we now know that the Arubian Cunucu Dog is descended from the rare Iberian Hound that was introduced to Aruba by Portuguese slave traders in the 16th century. These sleek hunters were immediately adopted by the indigenous Arawak Indians and bred with the semi-domesticated feral dogs of the island.
The resulting
canines were trained and bred as working dogs to hunt small game, particularly iguanas. As with many working breeds, a broad standard of body types developed. In general,
the Arubian Cunucu Dog is a medium sized dog with varied markings and the tail carried curled over the back.
They vary between 40 and 50 centimeters at the withers and weigh-in between 20 and 24 kilograms, with bitches generally at
the lower parameters. Fearless and loyal companions, they exhibit a high degree of athleticism and are particularly noted
for their speed and incredible leaping ability - attributes honed by nearly four centuries of chasing iguanas through the
rocky outcroppings of Aruba's desert-like interior which is known on the island as the "cunucu".
Although not a well known breed,
Arubian Cunucu Dogs are often cited in prestigious publications. Follow the links below for at least brief mentions
of this fascinating canine.
The Fleeting Joy of Being Top Dog
Bad Dog
The Cunucu Dog in
History
The Story of Laika
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| DUSHI 1954 |
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| NATASHA 1954 |
Early in the winter of 1954, Russian career diplomat Boris S. of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was sent by Nikita Khrushev on a goodwill tour of the Caribbean Islands and Latin America. Due to the nature
of the assignment, the wife of Boris, Natasha, accompanied him on the tour. During the mission's stopover in
Aruba, the couple was presented an Arubian Cunucu puppy as a gift. Natasha, totally smitten by the pup
christened her "Dushi", papiamento for "sweetie"or "sweetheart".
After the completion of the goodwill tour, Natasha prevailed
upon her husband to bring Dushi back to Moscow with them. Young Dushi adapted well to life in Moscow but had a tendency to escape from Natasha during
their walks near the Kremlin. Dushi, however, in true Cunucu Dog fashion, always managed to find her way back to the apartment.
As could be expected, those unchaperoned forays into the streets of Moscow soon produced a litter of 1/2 Moscavite and
1/2 Arubian Cunucu puppies.
Out of the litter of four, three were immediately adopted by members of Natasha's
family. However, the fourth puppy was a barker and soon earned the name "Laika". * None
of Natasha's sisters were inclined to take on a yappy Cunucu Dog of dubious parentage, so her husband, Boris
S, took matters in hand and "donated" Laika to the Soviet Peoples' Space Agency!
* The Russian word laika
(Russian: лайка) is a noun derived from the verb layat (Russian: лаять, to bark), and literally means
barker.
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| Laika, in space suit |
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| Laika, in Sputnik 2 |
On November 3, 1957, Laika, daughter of Dushi, an original Arubian Cunucu Dog, boarded Sputnik 2 and shortly thereafter became the first living passenger to enter into orbit of planet earth!
While the rest of the story is too sad to recount here, Laika's historic venture into space is a proud moment
in history for all Cunucu Dogs.
Commemorating Laika - The Cunucu Cosmonaut
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