Villano de las Encartaciones

		Villano de las Encartaciones
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Spain
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Perro de Presa de las Encartaciones Villano Cattledog Encartaciones Hound Villano Espanol

A brief presentation of the Villano de las Encartaciones

The Villano de las Encartaciones is a rarer breed of dog than the giant panda. In fact, in 2018, there were around 1,800 pandas, but fewer than 100 Villanos. The Villano de las Encartaciones was bred for a purpose and has a long history. Unfortunately, their ferocity and hunting skills have little place in the modern world, resulting in a dramatic decline in their numbers. These once desirable characteristics include the ability to herd semi-wild cattle and control them by biting hard on the neck until the beasts give in.

History of the Villano de las Encartaciones

There is much debate about the origins of Villano, which is considered by some to date back to the 12th century and by others to the 19th century. What we can say with certainty is that the Villano de las Encartaciones is located in the region of the same name, in the westernmost part of the Basque Country. The breed was a working dog, in particular a herding dog. Their job was to guard sheep, protect the farm and control livestock. However, these domesticated cattle were not pliable domestic animals, but semi-wild beasts roaming the mountains who had no further contact with man from one year to the next. As you can imagine, handling wild cattle isn't easy, which is where the Villano's courage and brute strength made them invaluable to farmers. In fact, the name Villano in Spanish means Villain in English, so it's clear that they needed a bit of mean tenacity to get the job done. The Villano's genetic heritage includes data from various Spanish breeds, including the Cimarrón Uruguayo, the imposing Presa Canario and the Bouvier des Açores. The breed almost disappeared at the time of the Second World War. It took a concerted effort in the 1960s to bring the numbers back from the brink. Doing so meant breeding with the Spanish Alano. The resulting dogs, although close to the original breed, are undoubtedly lighter and faster than their ancestors.

Appearance of the Villano de las Encartaciones

Described as a medium-sized dog, the Villano de las Encartaciones has the look of a sporting, or long-legged, mastiff. They are robust and heavy, with a deep, powerful chest and strong neck. The Villano has a long, sickle-shaped tail. In their native regions, their ears are often cropped to make them look even more intimidating, as if that were necessary. They also have a good-sized muzzle, well equipped with teeth for squeezing those wandering wild cattle. Unlike other Dogue-type dogs, they have slightly longer, slimmer legs, giving them the advantage of speed and agility, in addition to strength. The Villano has a short, flat coat, generally dark in color, brindle being the most common. Other coat colors include black or dark brown. Bronze or cinnamon are not typical of the breed, nor are large white patches.

Temperament of the Villano de las Encartaciones

Give a Villano de las Encartaciones a guard job and he'll be happy. These high-energy dogs are the action heroes of the canine world. In fact, if they were a movie star, they'd be Vin Diesel, getting out of trouble without a hitch. Most of the Villanos' character traits reflect their work. They are brave, courageous and protective. In the mountains, when faced with a threat, Villanos have to think for themselves, which can make them difficult to train. Indeed, Villanos are wary of strangers, which makes them good watchdogs but not good pets. In a domestic environment, it's essential that the dog is well socialized as a puppy, so that visitors or strangers don't arouse their aggressive side. However, when an owner earns his dog's respect, the Villano is said to be loyal, calm, sociable and gentle. But that's only if the dog gets plenty of exercise. Even the most obedient Villano becomes a ticking time bomb if it doesn't have a sufficient outlet for its energy.

Needs and activities of the Villano de las Encartaciones

The Villano de las Encartaciones is the opposite of a trainer's potato. Activity is like breathing, an essential act for this breed. Ideally, they should not only be on the move, but also have a job to do, such as guarding or herding. The Villano is ideally suited as a farm or guard dog, and absolutely unsuited to life in the city or in an apartment. If the need for exercise and mental stimulation is not met, the consequences can be disastrous. At best, the Villano may devote its energy to barking or chewing and, at worst, become unruly and even aggressive through sheer accumulated frustration.

Maintenance of the Villano de las Encartaciones

A good bristle brush is all you need to keep the coat of a Villano de las Encartaciones in good health. Regular weekly brushing helps distribute conditioning oils over the surface, which waterproof the coat. Grooming also keeps the skin in good condition and reduces shedding.

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 05 February 2024; Hits: 666

Villano de las Encartaciones