Spanish Alano dog

Alternative Names
Spanish Bulldog
Country of origin Spain

RSCE: Group 2 Est The Spanish mastiff dog breed is a large native of Spain, with very ancient origins.

The traditional functionality is the handling of cattle, in extensive hunting large game, and for holding deer and wild boar. Its modern application is as a guard dog and to guard livestock against any predator.

The existence of Alano in Spain dates back several centuries, though it is not very clear what was its origin. Some believe that this race was extended to Europe by the Alano in the fourth century and was brought to the Iberian peninsula and north Africa by the Vandals.

In 1350 King Alfonso XI publishes his “Book of Hunting” and in the fifteenth century, published his “Treatise of Hunting,” anonymous, which makes a deep somatic description of the dog.

When talking about the Alano everyone knew it was a runner after prey to justify its name had to have certain characteristics: strong-headed, long proportions, croup high and good bones.

Also his character was clearly defined by its function, “taking no hunger nor reward, but by nature right that God gave him” (today we call prey).

What is not in doubt is that these dogs were widespread, as evidenced by their appearance in paintings, such as mastiffs that plasma Velazquez hunting pit, located in the National Gallery in London,