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Alano Español |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Spain | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Alano
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Brief historical summary |
| The Alano has a long history in Spain. The breed's official history indicates that the Alano came to the Iberian peninsula in the 5th century along with the Alani tribe, and should therefore be considered a direct descendant of the Alaunt. The Alano's presence in Spain goes back a long way. As early as 1350, King Alfonso XI mentioned it in his "Book of the Hunt", and in the 15th century, an unknown man wrote "The Treatise of the Hunt" with a detailed description of the dog. Like many other Molosser breeds that lost popularity to imported foreign breeds, particularly the German Shepherd Dog, the number of Alanos reached the point of near extinction. The last Alano Español pair was shown in 1963 in Madrid's Retiro Park, and shortly afterwards the breed was considered completely extinct. Fortunately, after extensive research throughout Spain, around 300 Alanos were found in the Encartaciones valley in northern Spain, and are still used to herd wild cows. |
Behaviour / temperament |
| Because of their temperament and sense of loyalty, combined with good mental balance, Alanos are excellent working dogs. He fears nothing and no one, and is courageous and powerful in battle. Its intelligence and good physical constitution make it a very privileged hunting breed, suitable for people with a resolute, sporting character. They adapt well to family life, but must be treated with great authority. They are affectionate within the family circle, and can act as a pet provided they have enough space to give free rein to their vitality. This is a dog born to hunt, with unrivalled courage. He can take on a wild boar without worrying about his own life. |
Head |
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Cranial region |
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Head |
A few wrinkles appear on the forehead when the dog is attentive. | |
Skull |
Large and strong, with rounded temples and a frontal nasal depression. Well-developed temple muscles. | |
Facial region |
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Nose |
Large, with open nostrils. Nostrils have black pigmentation. | |
Muzzle |
Shorter than the skull, very powerful, usually about 35% of the entire length of the head. | |
Lips |
The lower lips are slightly drooping. | |
Jaws and teeth |
Teeth are strong and healthy, incisors should be well aligned and canines well separated from each other. A slight overbite is permitted, not exceeding 2 millimeters. | |
Eyes |
Sensitively separated, slightly oval, with a serious expression. Hazel or light yellowish, depending on coat color, producing the breed's characteristic expression. Eyelids have black pigmentation. | |
Ears |
Small in size and slightly rounded at the tip. If uncropped, they are medium-sized and carried folded over the face. | |
Neck |
| Very strong and powerful, short and broad, with a slight double chin. |
Body |
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Body |
The torso is arched, cylindrical and well let down at the elbows. The belly is retracted, but not greyhound-like. | |
Back |
Strong and muscular. The spine rises slightly. | |
Croup |
Slightly sloping. | |
Chest |
Broad and deep, very muscular. | |
Tail |
| Thick at the base, tapering gradually to the tip. Carried high, curving slightly. |
Limbs |
Forequarters |
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Generality |
Long and completely vertical, viewed from the front or side. The bone structure is well developed. | |
Upper arm |
Long and sloping. | |
Hindquarters |
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Generality |
Strong, with well-developed muscles. Completely vertical and correctly angulated. | |
Gait and movement |
| When walking, the weight is carried on the forelegs, giving the appearance of a chained movement, rather like a feline. The head is carried low. The trot is long and similar to walking. The gallop is very elastic. |
Skin |
| Adheres well to the body and is rather elastic, slightly looser on the neck and head. |
Coat |
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Hair |
Short and dense, rather thick, with no scruff. | |
Colour |
The following colors are acceptable : - Tigray and brindle in all variations. - Black and drawn. - Wolf color. - White, in combination with the above colors. Lower legs, chest, neck and muzzle may be white. |
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Size and weight |
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Height at withers |
Between 58 and 63 cm for males and 55 and 60 cm for females. There must be a certain harmony between height and weight, which allows for variations in height of around 2 cm, provided the dog is well proportioned. |
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Weight |
Varies between 35 and 45 kg. | |
Faults |
| • Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work. • Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness. |
General faults |
 Overshot mouth more than 2 mm. Lack of 2 molars or 2 premolars. Heavy appearance. |
Serious faults |
| Excessive overshot mouth (over 5 mm). Missing more than 2 molars. Lack of nasal depression. Unsociable character. Protruding leg bones. |
Disqualifying faults |
| Lack of precision. Sterile dog. Long hair. Abnormal colors. Lack of character. Mastin structure. Greyhound structure. Crooked mouth. Neutered dogs, or dogs with a displaced or missing testicle. |
NB : |
| • Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified. • The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying. • Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. • Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding. |
English (United Kingdom)