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The Arubian Cunucu Dog, a rare breed, is a descendant of the Iberian Hound. This medium-sized breed has its homeland in beautiful Aruba. It is believed that they, the Iberian Hounds, were brought to the island in the 1600s by the Portuguese slave traders and then allowed to breed with the common, semi-domesticated dogs that were already there. It was the Arawak Indians that took up the Arubian Cunucu Dogs and bred them. With these matings came a breed that was used for hunting small game, such as iguana, on the island. This breed gets its name from the word "cunucu", which means "countryside" in the language of Aruba. These dogs fall into the category of sighthounds.

The Arubian Cunucu Dog is typically between twenty and twenty-four kilograms, with males often being larger than females. They are usually between forty and fifty centimeters tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. The head is rather delicate in appearance with a somewhat long muzzle. The nose is black and the eyes are usually a dark shade of black or brown. The ears are held in the flopped, folded over position. The body is square and well-proportioned, with the skin fitting snugly and not an abundance of body fat. The tail is carried in a curved position over the back. The legs are exceptionally strong, allowing them to run and leap with skill and grace. They have an athletic look about them, which is fitting for this energetic and agile dog.

The Arubian Cunucu Dog has a short coat, with a nice sheen to the fur when it is kept healthy. There are a great variety of colors and color combinations (markings) that are acceptable for this breed. Some of the most common colors are brown, white, black, and tan. Their grooming should be maintained regularly. A weekly brushing with a stiff, rubber-bristled brush and a shampoo if absolutely needed will suffice. Do not shampoo if you can avoid it as this will strip the natural oils that the dog already has to protect the coat. Regular grooming will help to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur and that it retains its natural shine. It will also help to remove some of the loose hairs, keeping shedding down. These dogs are average shedders.

Arubian Cunucu Dog are intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, as long as there is good human to canine communication. Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. Rewards and treats for a job well done will be very encouraging to this breed. They usually really want to please their owners and will do so happily as long as they understand what the owner is requesting. If you are firm, consistent and calm, the dog will usually respond well to training.

These dogs are energetic when they are outdoors and they must have at least a brisk walk daily, as well as some time for running and playing off the leash. It is on the hunt that they will truly excel and show their best sides. This breed should be kept stimulated, both mentally and physically, to prevent them from becoming bored. A bored Arubian Cunucu Dog can develop some very undesirable habits. They may become destructive or prone to excessive barking. They are usually very friendly and social dogs, good with people and other animals, if they are used to being around them. Socializing them at an early age will help to ensure this. They are very loyal and courageous, making them able to be used as watch dogs with great success.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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