Scientific name Canis lupus familiaris Higher classification Dog | Origin Bolivia Rank Breed | |
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Similar Pachón Navarro, Tarsus Çatalburun, Abyssinian Sand Terrier, Carea Leonés, Bakhmull | ||
The Double-nosed Andean tiger hound is a rare breed of hound that has been seen in Bolivia. Many people believe the double nose increases their scent discrimination abilities; however, there is no research to indicate whether the double nose is a benefit or a hindrance.
The "double nose" appears to be a normal dog's nose, but with the nostrils separated by a band of skin and fur dividing the nose all the way to the dog's upper lip.
20th-century reports include the 1913 report by explorer Percy Fawcett. Recent sightings received wide press coverage in 2006 and 2007. Three photos of this "breed" were circulated in mainstream press outlets: one of Bella, a female, and two of Xingu, her son. It is possible that designating the Double-nosed Andean Tiger Hound as a "breed" is premature. They may just be genetic anomalies within the general strain of Andean Tiger Hounds. Despite all the information aired by BBC, this particular breed can be seen today in the markets around Trinidad, Bolivia, northwest of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. And it is not uncommon there.
No kennel club recognizes the Double-nosed Andean Tiger Hound, nor Andean Tiger Hounds in general, as a specific breed. "Tiger" in their name is a reference to the jaguar, not to tigers.
European heritage
The Andean Tiger Hound is believed to be descended from the Pachon Navarro, assumed to have been brought to Central and South America by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century. In photographs at a Pachon Navarro website, the split nose is much less conspicuous than it is on the Andean dogs.
The Pachon Navarro goes by many other names: Old Spanish Pointer, Perdiguero Navarro, Navarro Pointer, and Pachon De Victoria. It is closely related to the Portuguese Pointer. Split noses or double noses occur sometimes, though rarely, in many pointing breeds thought to have descended from the Portuguese Pointer and the Pachon Navarro, including the German Shorthaired Pointer.