RARE BREEDS Continued FROM page 26
it is difficult to find a free spot to sit at the shores of Villasimius, (of the Costa Smeralda) and of Alghero. If a person does not appreciate the hubbub some other marvelous and lesser known places offer the privacy if one is looking for it. The marvelous and not so famous Berchida beach, or the beaches of Ogliastra and Oristano, beside some others at ensconced parts of the island offer the same luxury of the others, without the usual over population. It is known that the island’s fame is attached to beaches, but if it’s possible spend some extra time visiting the fascinating tiny coves that abound everywhere. The history of Sardinia goes back to the Prehistoric Ages some 100,000 years ago and there is a vivid sense that we are walking on a centuries old history book. There are hundreds of antique excavation sites deserving attention, Nuraghes** being the most remarkable of them. In many ways different from other Italian regions due to the prolonged former geographical isolation, the island has its peculiar indigenous fauna such as the mouflon sheep or the white donkey (from island of Asinara, north-west coast of Sardinia). The original locals have a linguistic particularity; they speak “Sardinian,” which is not an Italian dialect but a distinct branch of the Romance language, a mix of Spanish, Catalan, and also the antique Phoenician, Etruscan, and the local Nuragic language, it is even closer to the classic Latin than the Italian itself. Sardinia has a great number of restaurants, the food is based mostly on home grown products, and the variety goes especially from fish to meat, pasta dishes, desserts, and of course the always great Italian wine. I resumed the Sardinian land in the shortest possible way, but assure you that the visitor will realize that in many ways this place is special, unique, and will be gifted with a different view and magical landscapes minute after minute. This little piece of land has produced great dog breeds; the Pastore Fonnese, the Dogo Sardo, and the Sardinian Greyhound. I already focused the Dogo Sardo, and today will introduce the very Rare Pastore Fonnese. When facing the Fonnese Shepherd the newcomer is warned to avoid sudden movement and unexpected approach because this dog is very alert, and distrustful of strangers. The dog may not be openly aggressive but its behavior is intimidating while it observes the “intruder” who has to conquer their confi44 Dog News
dence and respect before approaching any Fonnese. They instinctively perceive and differentiate the friendly from the unfriendly approach. The existence of these shepherd dogs on the Sardinian Highlands has been known for centuries. This resistant, eager to work, attentive and watchful breed is highly valued by the shepherds who work with them. Historians say that the Pastore Fonnese probably descends from the famous mastiff type war dogs of the Roman consul Mark Pomponio Matone (the consul’s Roman molossers resulted from the mix of Sylvan, Assyrian, Persian and Greek Molosser breeds) that were mated to the island’s native wool coated sheepdogs. Before working only as herding and guardians the antique Fonneses were used also as war dogs and personal protectors, but at the same time a large number worked as livestock guardians and herders, a job they enjoyed and at which they were superb. Also called Pastore Fonnesu” or “Cani Sardu Antigu” the Pastore Fonnese was for a long time a loyal companion of the Sardinian criminals that were hiding in the woods, and also worked with the local warriors and were ferocious defenders against the conquerors who attempted to invade the island. These dogs were used in 1912 by the Italian Army following and fighting at the soldiers’ side during the Italian campaign in Libya. Many years later the use for war was forgotten, and the population of Fonnese war dogs merged with the sheepdogs of Sardinia. The present shape of the Fonnese dog breed was in some way selected by the Sardinian shepherds, and it is virtually the same for centuries. This uniformity resulted besides the geographic isolation out of the well known unwillingness of breeders (as of the of the other Sardinian native dog breeds) in selling their puppies to anyone out of the island. The Pastore Fonnese is a resistant and strong shepherd. The body is wellboned and powerful. This is a lighter mastiff type dog, valued for its agility and
stamina. The head is somewhat rounded, with a strong muzzle and well-developed jaws. The overall image of the breed is in certain ways similar to the Russian Ovcharka and to the Bearded Collie. The Fonnese is an intelligent breed devoted to its master, normally suspicious of strangers, and does not accept other dogs well. Independent, and overly protective, this Sheepdog is rarely seen out of its natural environment. This dog has a rough coat, the colors can be grey, black, brindle, brown or white. Height at the withers is about 55 to 60 cms. for males, the females are a couple of centimeters shorter. Typical characteristic of the breed is the fiery expression of the eyes, whose position is frontal, giving the dog a unique “monkey-like” appearance. The dog’s origin traces back to very ancient times, yet the Pastore Fonnese has been officially recognized only in 2013 by ENCI, the Italian Kennel club. The breed, which is endemic to the island, was founded (an association) with approximately 170 specimens gathered from rural Sardinia. The regional government of Sardinia had sponsored a research livestock project that studied the genetics of the dog. (Wikipedia) Note – The complete standard is about to be published by the Italian Kennel Club ENCI *The Costa Smeralda was used as the location for James Bond driving his Lotus Esprit out of the sea in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ in 1977. ** The archaeological site “Su Nuraxi” (Sardinian term for “The Nuraghe”) lies at the foot of the Parco Della Giara, near Barumini. Nuraghes are the main type of megalithic edifice found in Sardinia, and the use of these beehive-like buildings still remain unknown. Most archaeologists assume they were used as religious temples, meeting halls, or military strongholds. From http://www. charmingsardinia.com/sardinia/ su-nuraxi.html