Dogo Cubano

		Dogo Cubano
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Cuba
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

The Dogo Cubano, also known as the Cuban Dogue, Cuban Bloodhound and Cuban Mastiff, is an extinct breed of dog from Cuba. It was of the Bullmastiff type and was used for bull and dog fighting. The breed was introduced to Cuba to capture runaway slaves (cimarrones). After the abolition of slavery, they ceased to exist over time.

They were somewhere between a bulldog and a dane in size. The muzzle was short, broad and abruptly truncated. The head was broad and flat, with deep-set lips. The medium-sized ears were also partly drooping, the tail rather short, cylindrical and turned upwards and forwards towards the tip. They were described as a "rusty wolf color", with black face, lips and legs. They were most notable for their slave hunting.

The Cuban mastiff developed from several breeds of bulldog, mastiff and cattle dog, becoming an ideal fighter and property guardian. It is possible that some specimens of this breed were imported to America, where they were used as guard dogs. They were also used as slave catchers by the British during the Second Maroon War, by the French during the Saint-Domingue expedition, and by Americans in the Southern States.

The breed has been considered extinct since the late 19th century, but it has been reported that, although no pure Dogo Cubanos remain, the dogs used in today's fighting arenas in Cuba are the descendants of a cross between pit bull-type dogs, Cordoba Dogs, Dogo Argentinos and the few pure Dogo Cubanos that remained at the beginning of the 20th century. The modern descendant of this extinct dog breed is much larger and stronger than the original, and resembles the American Pit Bull Terrier.