
Guatemalan Bull Terrier
 


The origin for this race is
indisputably Guatemalan.
In the 1920's there were already existing speciments of this breed.
In the origins of this breed there was intervention by the large English
Bull Terrier (white), Dalmatian and a small percentage of Boxers. The
mix was done randomly and the breed was not defined before 1930. Theses
early dogs had some big spots of black or brown in their coat and also
the spots from the Dalmatian background. However, the spots have been
bred out with time. Because of the influence of the English Bull Terrier,
these dogs were called Bull Terrier Guatemalteco throughout the 20th
century. Dr. Arturo R. Chavez, veterinarian and Zootechnician, suggested
calling the breed Dogo Guatemalteco, and he made a detailed study of
this breed to set the standard, for approval and international
recognition for this breed through the FCI from Thuin, Belgium.
The first real data that has been able
to be proved of this breed goes back to the 1930's, at which time the
characteristics of this breed had already been proved. It is known by
relatives of the ex-President Jorge Ubico of Guatemala that he owned
this breed. The Dogo Guatemalteco are excellent guardians and good with
children.
There are however no known data about their descendants (1935-1944). The
Gallusser family is known as pioneers of this breed, because Mr. Arturo
Gallusser and his wife were already breeding this dog since 1930. Mr.
Arturo Gallusser Jr. (born 1934) and Mr. Richard Gallusser (born 1937)
already had these dogs next to their cribs. As he grew up he kept the
breed and the breed's characteristics were perfectly established and
were already established as a pure breed. Mr. Arturo's sons kept up with
the breed and decided to breed them since 1944. They have 2 locations
for breeding. One is at home in Guatemala City and the other in their
ranch Hacienda Dolores. Since the start the Gallusser sons have been
breeding these dogs to for over 56 years. Mr. Arturo Gallusser Jr.
currently owns 10 Dogo Guatemaltecos. The dogs are identified with the
initials Gallu. Mr. Richard Gallussr, together with Eng. Hector
Montenegro (deceased) were the first to register the dogs with the
National Canine Genealogical Register. His dogs have the first numbers
in the register, as founders of this breed. Among other important
breeders were the Urquizu family, who already had these dogs in the
1940's. Dr. Juan Urquizu (vetenarian) had his first dog in 1948, (a gift
from his grandmother). Since then,
 
In 1940 Mr. Ricardo Ramirez
appreared with dogs of this breed. He had excellent examples of the Dogo
Guatemalteco and contributed to improving the breed. His nephew, Mr.
Marlon Ramirez continued the breeding with his dog Hrs Chey (1984) which
had a lot of descendants.
In 1960 one of the greatest breeders of the Dogo Guatemalteco started
his kennel, Eng. Hector Montenegro Vesco & Sons. Mr. Montenegro was
one of the founders of the Guatemalan National Association of Dog
Breeders (AGCP), together with Dr Alfonso Ruiz Schell (deceased). They
made the breed known in Dog Shows. Eng. Hector Montenegro has the honor
of being the first breeder registered in the National Genealogical
Register with his I.D. Hm Tarzan (1967), Hm Patoja, Hm Daisy. He has the
same honor in the Book of Origins of the breed and in the list of
Breeders of Guatemalan Association of Dog Breeders (AGCP).
In 1970 new breeders entered the breed, Mr. Francisco Romero and the
Eng. Jose Angel Leche. They showed their dogs at the first expositions
sponsored by the Guatemalan Girl Scouts, and the Medical Clinical
Veterinary Association (1965-1978). They both won in this exposition.
Eng. Leche, Eng. Montenegro and Mr. Romero cross breeded their champions
and distributed them to all Guatemala and Central America. The most
influential in the breed origins with registered dog since 1967 were: (Shown
in parenthes the year they entered the breed).
1. Ricardo Gallusser (1930).
2. Dr. Juan Urquizu (1940).
3. Ricardo Ramirez (1940).
4. Eng. Hector Montenegro (1960).
5. Francisco Romero (1970).
There have been a lot of dogs which have not been registered since then.
The first Guatemalan Champion (Dogo Guatemalteco) was "SPOT",
born on September 6, 1987, son of male "HUAIPE" and the female
"COQUETA", having as breeders Jeannette Solorzano and owner
Willy Cabrera, who was also the owner of "HUAIPE". The judges
by FCI for SPOT were: 1988 - Susy Umana (Columbia) 1988 - Ralph Scoggins
(USA) 1989 - Peggy Gutierrez (Mexico) 1990 - Jose Luis Garcia (Mexico)
1991 - Carlos Perez (Venezuela) The
Dogo Guatemalteco is a dog of medium stature, weighs 25-36 kg. (55-79 lb)
and stands 56-61 cm. (22-24 inch) at the shoulder. There are also a
larger strain of the breed that reaches 55 kg. (121 lb) and 70 cm. (27,5
inch). The Dogo Guatemalteco is a white dog with occasional black eye
patches or head markings. Guatemalans are a rugged dog with a rather
thick skin and a smooth dense coat. The tail is cropped and the ears are
either left in a natural drop style or can be cropped to a Doberman or
Boxer cut. In Guatemala, whether in the show ring or at home, the dog
must posses certain qualities. The dog should not want to be handled by
strangers, and if it will not defend the home is considered a totally
useless dog. Because of high crime and corruption in Guatemala the dog
must defend the home at all costs. In the show ring, if he tries to bite
the judge, it is perfectly acceptable. You can feel 100 percent
confidant in the presence of this breed being guard dog par excellent.

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