This is Xingu, the two nosed dog, who was found
living in a village deep in the Bolivian jungle by
explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell.
He is an Andrean double-nosed tiger hound and is thought
to come from a line of hunting dogs used because they
have an amazing sense of smell thanks to their dual
noses.
Tests on the dog proved that it was not a physical
malformation but a specific breed of double-nosed
dog.
Colonel Blashford-Snell's theory is that the dog is
descended from hunting dogs found in Spain at the
time of the Conquistadors.
"I think it's highly likely some of these were
taken to South America and they've continued to breed,"
he said.
"They're very good hunting dogs. Xingu was quite
an aggressive little chap, about 15" to 16"
in height and very friendly with us, and he loves
salt biscuits."
"Not a terribly handsome dog, but he's certainly
very intelligent," Col. Blashford-Shell added.
Xingu sired two puppies who were born with four noses
between them. The puppies unfortunately did not survive. |
