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The Argentine Pila dog (similar to the Bolivian Khala or Hairless Khala) is a hairless breed characteristically found in the north-western provinces of Argentina. It is a companion dog, ranging in size from approximately 25 cm (10 inches) at the shoulder to 45 cm (18 inches). == History == The Argentine Pila Dog is a South American hairless breed very similar to the Chinese Crested, Xoloitzcuintli, and Peruvian Hairless Dog, from which last it is believed to be descended. Opinions vary on the origin of these pre-Columbian dogs (with the exception of the Chinese crested, apparently first bred from Peruvian Hairless by Ida Garrett and Debra Woods in the first half of the 20th Century in the USA〔 〕), but there is evidence of their existence in Central and South America as far back as 3,000 years ago.Differences between varieties – and there are well-founded reasons for referring to them as varieties, rather than breeds – probably stem from local isolation. There appears to be no record of these dogs’ presence in Argentina prior to the early 15th Century Inca colonization. The Inca empire spread north along the Andes from what is today Perú and Bolivia to Ecuador and southern Colombia, and south to the mountainous regions of central Chile and Argentina. It is supposed that the royal emissaries brought their ‘khalas’ (the Quechua word for naked or bald) as exchange offerings to strengthen ties with the distant colonies. Following the Spanish conquest less than a century after Inca colonization, trade between Argentina and Perú continued mostly through the northwestern provinces of Salta and Jujuy; but the influx of dogs from the defeated civilization ceased. Spain was not interested in these hairless creatures except as a curiosity which was occasionally presented in Europe. Likewise, any pre-Hispanic trade there might have been between Central and South America ceased in favour of exporting valuables to Spain – and the dogs were not considered valuable. Thus, due to isolation, several varieties of hairless dogs evolved over the following centuries. These varieties include the Féderation Cynologique Internationale-approved Mexican and Peruvian breeds mentioned above, and several other variants throughout Latin America, including the Argentine Pila. In this article we will describe the long-legged, "Chaqueño" Argentine Pila; but in all these countries there are also descendants of a short-legged, barrel-bodied variety that probably evolved in the higher mountainous regions, with a body structure better adapted to cold and reduced atmospheric oxygen, which in Argentina is referred to as "Andino". During Spanish colonial times and well into the 20th Century, Pilas were held in high esteem by aboriginal, middle class and peasant families in the Argentine Northwest, who gave them this name using the colloquial Spanish term for ‘hairless’ or ‘naked’.〔 〕 They were appreciated for their warm skin and served as bed warmers and therapeutic heating pads, especially for older people suffering from rheumatism. They were also valued as watchdogs, since they are very alert to any unusual movement or noise in their surroundings. But in the second half of the 20th century it became fashionable to possess fancy foreign breeds, and whatever status the Pila may have enjoyed in the past was lost to these pedigreed, expensive imported dogs. People ascending the social ladder began buying German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese and others considered "classier". Added to this situation was the fact that most Pilas spent much of their time in the street, returning home only for food and warmth and an occasional pat on the head. Thus, the newcomers also soon becoming part of the street menagerie, interbreeding was inevitable. The consequence of this was that by the seventies it was not infrequent to see hairless Cockers, Dachshunds, Pointers and others. Currently, apparently pure Pilas are a rare sight, and even the mongrels are far less frequent than just thirty years ago. However, there is a small but enthusiastic budding movement for the rescue and restoration of this unique pre-Columbian breed. A first opportunity for the gathering of a large number of Pilas and their owners was created by the Municipality of Coronel Moldes (province of Salta, Argentina) at their "Primera Fiesta Nacional del Perro Pila Argentino" on 12 October 2004. This yearly meeting continued through 2007, but was held in the provincial capital, Salta, in November 2008. On that occasion, international judge Mrs. Elena Mentasti Spector left a record of her remarks on each of the sixty dogs presented.〔 〕 Another Fiesta was organized by Salta city’s Animal Health Department on 20 February 2011, in which 102 Pilas were judged and it became evident that new standards would have to be drawn up for the short-legged Andino variety, and also for a number of very uniform larger dogs with heavier bone structure and somewhat aggressive character, which has been tentatively designated as the "Pila guardián". 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Argentine Pila Dog」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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