When thinking about Colombian fauna, one immediately thinks of the majestic jaguar, the intriguing anteater and tapir, or even the spectacled bear. But did you know Colombia is also home to an endemic dog breed? Indeed, the Colombian Fino Hound (Sabueso Fino Colombiano) is an authentic Colombian breed of scent hound dogs, recognized since 2015 by the Colombian Canine Club Association (Asociacion Club Canino Colombiano – ACCC), the national kennel club.
The wide variety of names of the dog, such as “Chapolo” on the Caribbean Coast, “Bramador” in the Antioquia department, or “Tinajero” in Santander department, attests to the national character of this dog. This extremely popular dog has transcended social classes, appearing alongside both peasants and important personalities such as Guillermo Leon Valencia, the 29th president of Colombia from 1962 to 1966.
The origins of an authentic Colombian dog breed
The Colombian Fino Hound’s origins can be traced back to Spanish colonization. The first dogs were brought to the American continent by Spanish conquerors and were commonly used for warfare or as guard dogs, such as the Spanish Bulldog. Later, from the mid-16th century, Spanish settlers began importing hunting dog breeds from Europe, including Bloodhounds, Spanish Hounds, and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne.
It is from these breeds that the Colombian Fino Hound is believed to descend, even though the race probably received an English contribution during the Colombian War of Independence, with the arrival of Foxhounds brought by British troops.
Notably, because of Colombia’s challenging geography, which is highly mountainous and hilly, the imported dogs remained cut off from the rest of the world, eventually creating a genetic isolate that, over centuries, led to the development of the Colombian Fino Hound breed as we know it today. Hence, regional variations exist within this breed, such as in the Llanos region, Antioquia department, or along the Caribbean Coast.
Characteristics of the Colombian Fino Hound
According to ACCC, the standard Colombian Fino Hound stands at a height of 45 to 50cm, with a weight ranging from 15 to 25 kilos. Larger specimens may reach 51 to 58 cm in height and weigh between 25 and 35 kg. The breed’s coat comes in various colors, including reddish, black, white, brown, or brindle.
Known for their intelligence, endurance, and agility, Colombian Fino Hounds excel in hunting and have been used for centuries to track down small rodents such as the Lowland paca or the capybara, as well as larger prey such as tapirs and deer. Their exceptional sense of smell has also proved invaluable, as highlighted by the capture of Gulf Clan drug cartel leader ‘Otoniel’ on Oct. 23, 2021, thanks to ‘Chapalo’, a Colombian Fino Hound.
Above all, besides their hunting qualities, Colombian Fino Hounds are very gentle, loyal, and affectionate toward their owners.