Dossier
Adult height: males - 65 ms, females - 61 cm. Weight: male - from 38 to 45 kg, female - 33-38 kg. Characteristic color: different shades of brindle. Coat Length: The coat is short and smooth to the touch. Life expectancy: from 10 to 13 years. Advantages of the breed: patient, balanced, not picky, intelligent. Difficulties of the breed: too independent. Average price: from $500 to $2800. Classification: medium breed; hunting, guard dog, companion dog.
History of the origin of the breed
The breed borrowed its name from the barbarian Alan tribe, which colonized the territory of Spain in the 4th-5th centuries. This tribe was famous for breeding cattle and dogs. The latter were supposed to be strong, fearless defenders and agile hunters. This is what Alano Espanol dogs are considered to be.
These animals were specially trained by the Spaniards to participate in bullfights and were used for baiting bulls. But in 1883, a law was passed according to which it was forbidden to allow Alans to participate in bullfighting. After this, the number of dogs began to fall sharply. For a hundred years, Alano practically disappeared from the face of the earth.
In the twentieth century, a group of dog breeders carried out a huge search effort in an attempt to find representatives of this unique breed. Only a few individuals have been found on the Iberian Peninsula. The active restoration of the legendary Alanos has begun. The breed was completely restored by 1997.
Immediately after this, the official standard of the Spanish Bulldog, as the Alano is also called, was adopted. This was a new stage in the development of the breed, which began to actively spread not only throughout Spain, but throughout the world. Today, the Alano population is still small, and the International Canine Organization has not yet recognized this breed.
Breed standard
The Alano breed is not recognized by the FCI. Therefore, it is impossible to accept the description of the breed as an international standard.
Characteristics:
- Large, powerful dog. Well developed muscles.
- The head is large, with a wide forehead. The transition from forehead to muzzle is clearly pronounced.
- The muzzle is shortened and quite wide.
- The eyes are oval-shaped, widely set. Eye color varies from yellow to dark brown.
- The nose is large and black.
- Lips are dry and tight. The jowls were slightly saggy.
- The Alano breed has very developed jaws.
- The ears are cropped and set wide apart.
- The body is elongated. Looks like a rectangle.
- The chest is round in shape.
- The limbs are long and muscular.
- The tail is saber-shaped, of medium length. Does not reach the hock joint.
- The photo of the Alano shows that he has short hair. There is no undercoat.
- The color is varied. Starting from red with various shades, ending with white. There are mainly reddish-yellow, brindle and black dogs. The muzzle is often painted black, this is called a “mask”.
What is the breed for?
Currently, Alano dogs are used as guards and companion dogs. They cope well with the role of bloodhounds and serve in security structures. Farmers, as in the Middle Ages, use this breed to guard cows and sheep. Some representatives of Alano Espanyol take part in various kinds of competitions and dog fights.
Alano dog: description of the breed
The Alano Spanish Bulldog is a large and strong dog, capable of moving with an elegance and grace not at all typical of large animals. The height of males reaches an average of 65 cm, and the weight varies between 38-45 kilograms. The parameters of females are somewhat smaller - they are no more than 61 cm tall, and the body weight of the animals reaches 33-38 kilograms.
The World Organization allows a slight deviation from the standard, but too little height or weight is clearly considered a defect in the breed (in the photo you can evaluate the standard parameters of the animal).
The Alano Hispaniol has an ideal physique for hunting or guarding large herds, as they have no difficulty in restraining animals.
The head of the Alano dog breed is quite large, but in comparison with the body it should look proportional. The shape of the skull is brachycephalic: the muzzle is short, but large and well defined. The lips are dense, black in color. The ears are small - many owners often crop them, as can be seen in the photo of Alans.
The eyes are medium in size, almond-shaped. The photo shows the squint in the Alano’s gaze, characteristic of fighting breeds. At the same time, the expression in the Spanish Bulldog's eyes is more calm than angry. The color of the iris can be amber, brown or black, depending on the coat color.
The facial expression, as seen in the photo of the Spanish Alano, makes it clear that this is a stern and serious dog, jokes with which can lead to undesirable consequences.
The Alano Spanish Bulldog has a coarse and short coat that is usually a little shiny, as can be seen in the photos of the dogs. On the head the texture of the hairs is somewhat softer than on the body and limbs. The longest hair of the breed is on the tail - there it is harder and coarser.
An Alano dog can have the following coat colors:
- gray (say dark and light);
- black;
- spotted;
- ginger;
- pale yellow.
As many photos of the Spanish Bulldog show, fawn and red dogs can have an unusual color mask on their face. Also, spots may be on the throat, paws, jaw and chest, which is not considered a fault in the breed.
To understand what “Spaniards” look like, you can look at a photo of an Alano dog, which will immediately give you an idea of this breed.
Description of the nature of the breed
The Spanish Bulldog is a very strong, resilient and fearless dog. However, one should not consider the Alano a real bloodthirsty beast. These are very affectionate dogs that faithfully serve their master. They are very kind to children and get along quite well with other pets , but they like to take a dominant position towards them.
Alano will never attack a person unless he feels provocation or aggression on his part. These dogs have excellent endurance, they are energetic, and have unconventional and original thinking. They require regular physical activity, so it is not recommended to keep such a dog in apartments, but in a private house with a spacious yard, the Alano will feel just fine.
Important! Although these are very disciplined and peace-loving dogs, dog experts do not recommend that inexperienced dog owners own a Spanish bulldog.
Character and behavior
Alano combines hard work, a pronounced hunting instinct, beauty, firmness and affection for people. It is very easy to raise him as a family dog who will be affectionate and patient with children. Serious and menacing in appearance, Alan has a noble, balanced temperament. This is a very strong, but at the same time calm dog with a strong sense of self-esteem and the desire to be a leader; it obeys only a strong-willed owner who can become its leader.
A true Alan dog is noble, not aggressive towards other dogs and people, not cowardly or nervous. Somewhat independent, smart and balanced, values society and knows how to work in a team.
The Alan dog has all the traits of a good hunter of large animals: wild boar or deer. She is temperamental, bold and brave, hardy and fearless, passionate about hunting. Having grabbed the throat of a wild boar, which is four times the size, the dog will not let go of the prey, even if it threatens death. But at the same time, she does not have a strong malice towards the animal; after the owner arrives, she retreats and loses interest in the prey, be it a wild boar or found cattle.
An excellent watchman and security guard, silent and not fussy. In any work, Alan himself knows when to be restrained, and when to show all his dexterity and mobility, he is very resilient and has a well-defined sense of territory. Throughout their existence, Alanos have been used for a variety of purposes, but almost always work in teams with other adult dogs, often of the same breed and gender. Therefore, unlike other large fighting dogs, they easily get along with dogs with whom they live in the same territory. When walking, they are not prone to conflicts. Smaller dogs are ignored, larger dogs will respond to aggression, but will not initiate the fight themselves. They usually treat their cats with indifference.
How to choose a puppy
You should take the choice of an Alano puppy very seriously. This breed is not very numerous and has a fairly high price. Unscrupulous breeders often pass off a cross of this breed as a purebred Spanish bulldog. Therefore, it is best if you contact a nursery or trusted people who breed this breed.
Experts will tell you how best to choose a dog depending on your goals: whether you want to breed, take part in competitions, or just get a companion dog.
Character
The Spanish Bulldog is a very balanced and confident dog . In unusual situations, they can quickly make decisions themselves, which allows them to act as a bodyguard. Because of their nature, Alan puppies require early socialization. These dogs are very obedient and reliable, however, if the owner does not have a strong character, then the dog can take on a dominant position, the dog will begin to consider itself superior to the owner.
These dogs quickly get used to the family and are ready to give their lives for it; they do not single out one owner, but serve all family members equally. Alano are very patient with children, they will not deliberately harm them, but they should not be left alone with children, as due to their size they can harm the child in play. This breed is interesting because dogs do not attack strangers unless there is provocation on their part.
These dogs get along well with other dogs and any pets.
Care and maintenance
Alanos are unpretentious dogs and do not require any special care . The main tips for keeping this breed include:
- It is enough to comb the dog's fur a couple of times a week, using a special brush.
- Frequent bathing of the Alano is contraindicated, as it can dry out the dog's skin.
- Once a week you need to wipe your eyes from dirt and check the condition of your ears.
- Since this breed's nails do not wear down, they need to be trimmed regularly.
- Although the Alano has short hair, it can also harbor fleas, so it is necessary to periodically treat the dog with a special solution.
Alano dog care and nutrition
The Alano's coat is short and does not require special care. Claws grow quickly and need to be trimmed regularly so that they do not cause discomfort to the animal when moving.
A dog needs many beneficial substances that it can only get from food. That is why the diet must be individually selected to suit the dog’s needs.
Nutrition for puppy and adult dog
Alanos accept dry food well. Provided that the food is chosen correctly and satisfies all the physiological needs of the dog, there will be no problems. For puppies, it is better to soak hard granules in water beforehand.
If we are talking about natural food, then the portion should include lean meat, dairy products, cereals and vegetables. If necessary, the diet is supplemented with vitamins.
Nutrition
The Spanish Bulldog's diet should be balanced and rich in vitamins. These dogs are very active and require a lot of physical activity, so 60% of their diet should be protein. This can be meat, fish and offal. Also don’t forget about cereals, vegetables and fruits. For strong bones and teeth, include fermented milk products in your diet.
Puppies are prohibited from feeding smoked food and sweets . It is also worth paying attention to the fact that Alanos are allergic, so you should very carefully introduce this or that product into your dog’s diet. A puppy up to 5 months of age is fed 4 times a day, and as they grow older they switch to two meals a day.
Training
You need to train your dog from the moment it crosses the threshold of your home. During training, you should never raise your voice at the dog, as this can provoke retaliatory aggression. However, from the first days the dog must understand that you are the boss here, not him.
Dogs of this breed are very smart and quick-witted, they remember commands quite quickly. However, it is best if the Alano is trained by a qualified dog handler, and not by an amateur.
Education and training
Alanos are quite difficult to raise and train, especially for a beginner. This is a dog with a strong character and his own opinion. Early and comprehensive socialization is very important. Throughout your life, you need to constantly work with an Alano, practice, and develop positive qualities and skills.
Alano loves to work and learn quickly. In experienced hands, training and training a dog goes without problems. It is believed that the Alano has a higher tendency to obedience than other molos, but it is also strongly dependent on the authority of the owner.
Advantages and disadvantages
Alans are very balanced, they do not have spontaneous attacks of aggression. These are devoted and faithful dogs who love all members of their family equally. They are always ready to protect their owners from possible danger.
The disadvantages of the breed include their desire to constantly dominate. Therefore, such a dog is not suitable for people with a soft character; the dog must feel the strength of its owner’s spirit . Also, if you do not allow the Alan to splash out his energy through active walks and games, the dog can become very aggressive.
When choosing a dog, would you choose a Spanish bulldog? What do you like and what don't you like about his character? Share interesting facts that you know about the Alans.
Choosing an Alano puppy
Purchasing a puppy from a kennel with a good reputation is a big advantage. This reduces the risk of buying a mongrel.
Puppy
Puppies should be playful and moderately curious. If the baby hides in a corner and does not participate in the general fuss, most likely he has hereditary problems with the nervous system. It is difficult to predict the character of a future pet, so it is worth looking at its parents.
