Madeira Island is situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and have been a subject to many different cultures and their different dog breeds.
Until the 1900's Madeira was a very poor island, with agriculture and farming as the main source ofincome.
The habitants of the island needed a very rustic dog, aggressive and strong enough to protect them from intruders. A large part of the Madeira Island is composed of large farms or plantations with cultivated banana-trees. Bananas trees are large plants that grows to 2.5 meters (98 in) with large hanging leaves, that makes it difficult to see what is hidden behind the trees. The combination of the tree, and its poles (big metal sticks that are used to support the bananas trees) makes it almost impossible to run or walk between the trees. These farms were usually visited by intruders and robbed.
The Madeira farmers needed a agile dog of medium size, that could easily run through and between the bananas-trees, but that also could be a good guardian and show aggressiveness to the intruders.
Since Madeira was poor, all resources were used. In the old times there were many rabbits and wild pigs at the island, and the farmers needed a dog that also could assist them in hunting these animals. Madeira are made up of a landscape filled with rocks, and plain land is rare, which makes the hunting ground difficult to approach.
For the different above reasons and needs, the Xochaso was created.

Perdita at a farm.

Madeira inhabitants emigrated to South Africa, but many of them returned to Madeira after a while. Several of these returned people from Madeira did bring with them Mastiff typed dogs (old type Boerboels?). Ships from Spain brought Perro de Toro and Dogo Canário types of dogs to Madeira, and these dogs from Spain and South Africa interbred with the local dogs.
The farmers selected the best speciments and started a controlled breeding. The first dogs bred was however to large to be a good guardian at the banana tree plantations.
Further development was needed for creating a dog would inhabit all traits wanted. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was crossed into the Madeira dog, and for better hunting purposes the Norwegian hound Hygenhund was added.
The new dog breed that emerged was called Xochaso. From this point no other breeds was crossed into the Xochaso.

Pedrita, 1 year of age.

The Xochaso is a medium built dog, but nevertheless very strong, which especially can be witnessed in their front legs and mouth.
This breed is a excellent guard dog, especially for the work they were created; to guard and protect the banana tree plantations. Often a Xochaso can live its whole life without leaving the farm.
Because of their limited size, the Xochaso are used in small groups of three for the guarding, and a group of three dogs are also used when hunting wild pigs.
When the Xochaso guards the banana tree plantation they always walk between the banana trees and inspect, controlling that everything is in order. It is known that the Xochaso are doing the guardwork best in pairs or small groups of three dogs.
The breed are able to run very fast, and they are also easy jumpers. They do not forgive any intruders to their territory and can be very aggressive to strangers.
It is rare to see a dog of this breed tired, and they are very resistant.
Like many of its relative Molosser breeds it don't let go easily when it bites.

Pedrita, 1 year of age.

Farmers often have some chickens or ducks in their banana trees farms, and the Xochaso also funtions as a protector of these, especially against wild birds like small eagles.
As a complimentary job the Xochaso have also been used in hunting for wild pigs (now extinct at the Madeira Island) and for rabbits. Also in this kind of work they are used in pairs or groups of three.
The Xochaso is known to be excellent with the children of the family, either playing with them or when protecting.
Nowadays the Xochaso are still mostly used as a guardian for farms and plantations. Some speciments are used as a guardian for houses in the city. The Xochaso is a dog that can adapt well to live in the city, if he has the opportunity to do a lot of exercise every day.

Pedrita when 6 months of age.

The Xochaso is extremely docile and loyal to his family. It is not a dominant dog with its family, but with strangers the Xochaso may cause some problems. When we take Pedrita to a walk we must always use a leash, because if she put her nose to the ground she may start following a track, and does not listen to her master. However, if the Xochaso is well socialized and educated at a young age it will be a very obedient dog.
Because of its energy level and keen sence of smell some of these dogs can function very well as Police search dogs for i.e. drugs.
In Madeira Island there are a good, large and homogenus population of the Xochaso. The breed is not recognized by the Clube Português de Canicultura (Portuguese Kennel Club). However, the Portuguese Kennel Club are doing a research about Portuguese breeds, and it is possible that in the next 2 years this breed may be nationally recognized.
The Xochaso has a funny characteristic; with its ears it can make many different types of expressions. It can look just like a hungry "mutt", or a very dignity dog, all depending on the position of the ears.

By type the Xochaso looks mostly like a hound.

Pedrita

Un-official Standard

Medium sized dog, showing energy and strength with a calm and confident attitude.
Very typical head, strong, broad at the top, small dark eyes.
Medium sized ears, round at the end. When the ears are relaxed they fold down close to the head.
Strong medium sized neck.
Strong, not very heavy built body.
Strong, not very long legs, showing a lot of muscles.
Quite short but strong tail. When alert the tail is carried raised, but never touching the back.
Coat short, dense and rude.
Colour: different types of yellow and brown, black, black and tan. Usually the yellow and brown coloured dogs have a lighter colour at the throat, chest, belly, and at the inner legs.
Height: males 50-57 cm. (19,7-22,5 in), females 44-52 cm. (17,3-20,5 in). A tolerance of 2 cm. (0,8 in) more or less than given in the standard is accepted.
Weight: males 18-32 kg. (40-70,5 lb), females 12,5-20,5 kg. (27,5-45 lb).

Xochaso Fact Sheet.

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