|
|
Alano
Espanol Puppies for Sale
Alano Espanol
(Spanish Alano) (Spanish Bulldog)
Puma de Malandanza at 10 months old
|
Find an
Alano Espanol Breeder
Place an Ad |
|
Rescue an
Alano Espanol
List Your Rescue |
|
Pronunciation |
Alano Espanol |
|
Description |
The Alano Espanol is a molosser (a large sturdy
dog whose origins are in Molossia). It has a primitive appearance whose general
physiology fits him specially well for running at high speeds for long periods
of time and firmly holding wild game or cattle for a long time when ordered.
With a well proportioned body structure, the rib cage is arched, not
cylindrical, the chest reaches the elbows level, with strong and solid shoulders
and withers. The front legs are stronger than the back ones, and are straight
whether viewed from the front or from the side. The paws are generally much
larger than those of other dogs of the same size and weight. The profile of the
Alano's backbone outline is slightly ascending towards the back end or, at
least, straight, but not descending. The muscles in the hindquarters are well
developed and the back legs show very well defined angles ending in strong feet.
The tail is thicker at the base tapering to a point and is never cropped because
it is used as a rudder in the dogs sharp turns and dribbles when hunting or
working with half-wild or wild cattle. When the tail is carried low, none of its
length rest against the dogs hind area. The belly is retracted inwards giving
him a more athletic appearance than other heavier molosser breeds. The neck is
strong, powerful and wide, showing two double chins that should never hang to
low. His head is brachycephalic (Bulldog type) in shape, squared in appearance
and with a serious expression. The muzzle is wide and represents approximately
35% of the total length of the head, with a vertical stop. The nose is large,
wide and black with open nostrils. The ears are usually cropped, slightly
rounded at the tip. Uncropped ears are medium in size and carried folded over
the face. The Alano has very powerful jaws. The teeth are wide, well separated
from each other with a very strong and firm scissors bite or inverted scissors
bite. An under-bite is allowed if it is 2 mm or less. When walking the Alano has
the stride of a sly panther, because of its habit of carrying his head low,
slightly and slowly bouncing it from side to side making its strong shoulders
more visible. Alanos are tireless molossers that can maintain a constant,
graceful, agile trot for a long time. When galloping, they are fast and
flexible, fully stretching in and out their whole body in each step. Sorting
obstacles with enormous agility, making it look as if they will never get tired
even if they were required to maintain the gallop for miles. Coat colors include
yellow and wolf gray, fawns and reds (in either light or dark tones), with or
without tigering (brindling) and or black mask. Black & tan-always with
tigering on the tan markings which is described in the Spanish standard as
"negro y atigrado" translating as black & tigered. White markings
are allowed, but only on the snout, neck and chest, lower legs, belly and at the
tip of the tail, the white should never predominate the body. |
|
Temperament |
The temperament of the Alano is very dominant and
serious but very controllable by his master, acting submissively towards
him/her. This breed is very affectionate with the family and people they know.
It is also extremely patient and good with children. They are reliable, stable,
very obedient and bark very little. However, the Alano will watch strangers with
suspicion, attacking with little warning, only when the situation requires it.
When holding wild animals with it's jaws, regardless of the size, nature, or
aggressiveness of the animal, the Alano totally ignores feelings like pain or
fear and will not surrender until he is told to do so or until he achieves the
orders given. The Alano will fight to the death to follow orders, fighting the
wild boar or the bull until the end. They are a fearless, loyal, devoted, hard
worker. Well-balanced & stable, self-confidant with a very high pain
threshold. Powerful and protective, but not aggressive. These
characteristics of the breed are not fully apparent until the animal reaches
full maturity, which usually happens when the dog reaches 2 1/2 years old or
older. Because this breed is bred to function in packs as a team, he is good and
sociable around other dogs. Enjoying a good romp, playing and just having fun.
However, the Alano will not back down if challenged by them. The Alano Espanol,
like all mastiff type breeds, should have a dominant owner. They can climb trees
with amazing cat-like agility and are capable of leaping to great heights from a
stand-still position. The Alano can be difficult to housebreak, which makes this
breed best as an outside dog. Male Alano puppies tend to chew and be more
destructive than female Alano puppies. |
|
Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 23-25 inches (58-63 cm.) Bitches
22-24 inches (55-60 cm.)
Weight: Between 75-89 pound (35-40 kg.) Always showing harmony between size and
weight. |
|
Health Problems |
This breed has never been a bred for looks.
Instead it is an ancient rustic dog that has been used to work hard in the
country under rough conditions for ages, where only the fittest would survive.
This may be the reason for the Alano Espanol being a very resistant, healthy
breed, not prone to suffer from any disease in particular. The owner of Curro
states, "When injured or ill, their recovering time is also outstanding.
For example: At the age of 80 days Curro caught parvovirosis (Parvo virus in
Spanish). The veterinarian gave me no hope for Curro to live more than a week
after detecting the virus. It only took him 5 days to cure himself." Along
with the Cane Corso, the Alano is one of the very few molosser breeds that do
not drool, slobber or snore. |
|
Living Conditions |
Best suited to live in a yard and sleep outside,
the Alano can stand hot and cold temperatures, dryness and humidity with no
problem. For example: during inland Spain winters, the temperature reaches from
the low 30's to the high 20's (below zero Celsius). In the North of Spain, the
humidity is extremely high. In the central area the whether is dry with cold
winters and very hot summers, whereas the south could be dry or humid (depending
on the province) but with mild to hot temperatures. The Spanish Alano always
sleeps outside and will adapt to all these climates with no problem. |
Exercise |
If they are not being used as working dogs, but
are a family pet, you need to give them a lot of daily exercise. At least
three
walks daily, one of them a bit longer in an open space where they can run and
play, ideally in the country. |
|
Life Expectancy |
About 11-14 years. |
Grooming |
The Alano is a short haired dog that requires
little grooming. An occasional brushing with a rubber brush will helping him to
shed his coarse, rustic hair and will prevent him from dropping a lot of hair
inside the house. However he is an outside dog and should be outside the house
most of the time. Bath only when necessary as it will remove the natural oils in
the skin. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Origin |
The Alano is a very ancient breed. There are
several theories concerning it's origin. Most people relate today's Spanish
Alanos to the dogs the Alanos (Alans) brought with them when they invaded the
Iberian Peninsula in 406 AC. These dogs did not originate from any breed known
today, but instead, was the ancestor of, many of the molosser breeds that are
very popular today, such as Great Dane or the Dogue de Bordeaux. There used to
be Alano dogs not only in Spain, but in other places across Europe invaded by
the Alans, however, only in Spain have they survived for more than 1500 years
until the present time. A group of Alano enthusiasts spent a lot of their time
in the early 1980's working towards the goal of finding out the exact
demographic situation of the Alano. The breed was never in dog shows or bred for
beauty. At the time everyone thought the Alano had probably disappeared from
most of the wild boar hunting expeditions and cattle ranches of Spain. Carlos
Contera and his colleagues thoroughly searched all of rural Spain looking for
this legendary molosser, whose decline started when its participation in
bullfights was banned in 1883. The search was a success. They found a few Alanos
in Extremadura (Southwest of Spain) and Castille (central plateau) but also a
large and stable population of about 300 Alanos in the Encartaciones Valley in
Northern Spain. These were the same Alano dogs that had been used for centuries
to handle a local half wild breed of cows. The restoration of the breed started
from the best of these Alanos. Their DNA was analyzed by the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine of the University of Cordoba to assure their authenticity.
The Spanish Alano, in the past, has been used in four basic purposes:
1) Wild or Half-wild Cattle handling.
2) Bullfights (this use was banned by the Spanish laws back in the 19th century)
3) Big-game hunting.
4) Guard and defense.
5) War
Today it is used for cattle handling and hunting only. When working, the Alano
Espanol depends on its powerful bite, its obedience and its well-balanced
personality. The grip of the Alano Espanol's jaw has become legendary. It is
extremely effective not only because the dogs bite using the whole jaw,
extending the grip back to the molars, steadily and maintaining it for a long
time, but also because they will release the prey when they are told to do so.
The release is as important as the holding when working with the dogs. Some of
the Alano's talents include herding, hunting, tracking, watchdogging, guarding,
police work, Schutzhund, weight pulling, competitive obedience and agility. |
Group |
Mastiff |
Recognition |
There are several other associations working on its
recognition, which soon will take place at a local level in Spain. |
Meet Curro of Tameran from Madrid, Spain!
Curro is registered with the ANCAE; Asociación Nacional de
Criadores del Alano Espanol
Owned by Javier Astorga Vergara
This is Curro with his owner. |
 |
Photos Courtesy of Javier Astorga Vergara
_____________________________
Quake, the Alano Espanol at about
7 years old. He is purebred, registered with the Real Sociedad Canina de
Espana. His ears are natural (not cropped) and he is a bit
larger/heavier and was bred for his working ability rather than
appearances.
Quake, the Alano Espanol at about 7 years old
|
Thanks to Javier Astorga Vergara for providing Dog Breed Info with this
information. Visit the Alanos Espanoles Del Castillo de
Encinar.
Also a special thanks to Melanie Matthews. |
Alano Espanol Pictures Page 1 -
2
|
|
