Standard of the Spanish Alano

BREED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPANISH ALANO
ORIGIN: Spain
UTILIZATION
The Spanish Alano is a dog that has been used traditionally in the catch and hold of wild mountain cattle for vaccination, branding and general farm management. It is also used for wild game hunting, as well as, the for protection of farms and residential properties.
CLASIFICATION F.C.I.
Group 2: Dogs Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossian, Mountain type Dogs, Swiss Cattle Dogs and other breeds. Section 2.1 Molossian type bulldog. Tested not working.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Originally from the Iberian Peninsula, there are references to the breed's existence since the fourteenth century. Possibly descending from hunting dogs brought by the barbarians after the fall of the Roman Empire. The breed reached its peak between the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century, where its popularity peaked as a catch and hold dog for hunting and cattle management. This characteristic placed the breed as a favorite among a large number of famous people in the history of Spain, who left glowing testimonials and artistic bibliographies of its importance.
In the late nineteenth century, with the abolition of bullfighting "the bull dogs" enters a period of decline, which is reflected retrospectively by a series of changes in farming systems livestock and hunting, as well as by the influence of foreign breeds. Fortunately specific communities in Spain remained true to their traditions and continued to develop the breed's grip and hold insticts as their ancestors had done centuries ago. In the 1980's the largest population of the breed is found in the mountainous area called Encartaciones, later these efforts culminated with the official recognition of the breed in 2004.
The length of the trunk should be 10% greater than the height at the withers.
The thoracic perimeter exceed by 25% the height at the withers.
HEAD
Brachycephalic, square-looking head, large and powerful.
FACIAL REGION (FACE)
BODY
The length of the body is equal to the height at the withers plus 10% of this, the topline should be straight or slightly upward, never downward.
FORELIMBS
HINDLIMBS
MOVEMENT
In step loading the weight on the front giving the appearance of a rhythmic movement, similar to that of the big cats. The head is carried low. The trot is wide and long, similar in conformation to the gate. The gallop is fast and elastic with great extension and flexion of the trunk. Very fast and strong. In trials they are valued always for the walk and trot.
SKIN
Thick, attached to the body but somewhat thick, being more lax in the neck and head.
HAIR
Short and dense, something thick, has a short, fine undercoat.
COLOR
HEIGHT & WEIGHT
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of it is considered in proportion to the degree of deviation from the standard.
Marked wrinkling craniofacial region.
Accentuated undershot.
Tail slightly curled when the animal is in action.
Scissor or pincer bite in specimens of more than one year.
Lips excessively hanging.
Curved lower jaw.
Excessive wrinkles in the craniofacial region.
Head incorrect proportions.
Descending dorsal line.
Structure too light or too heavy.
Legs clearly deviant.
Shyness in adult.
Unjustified aggression towards other dogs or people.
Very large white spots.
Curled tail when the dog is at rest.
Tail exceed the hock.
Individuals predominantly white or any other color that does not correspond with the description.
Crooked mouth.
Craniofacial lines clearly divergent.
Presence of dewclaws or traces of amputation.
Copies monorchid, cryptorchid or castrated males.
NOTE: Males should have two fully developed normal testicles descended into the scrotum.
ORIGIN: Spain
UTILIZATION
The Spanish Alano is a dog that has been used traditionally in the catch and hold of wild mountain cattle for vaccination, branding and general farm management. It is also used for wild game hunting, as well as, the for protection of farms and residential properties.
CLASIFICATION F.C.I.
Group 2: Dogs Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossian, Mountain type Dogs, Swiss Cattle Dogs and other breeds. Section 2.1 Molossian type bulldog. Tested not working.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Originally from the Iberian Peninsula, there are references to the breed's existence since the fourteenth century. Possibly descending from hunting dogs brought by the barbarians after the fall of the Roman Empire. The breed reached its peak between the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century, where its popularity peaked as a catch and hold dog for hunting and cattle management. This characteristic placed the breed as a favorite among a large number of famous people in the history of Spain, who left glowing testimonials and artistic bibliographies of its importance.
In the late nineteenth century, with the abolition of bullfighting "the bull dogs" enters a period of decline, which is reflected retrospectively by a series of changes in farming systems livestock and hunting, as well as by the influence of foreign breeds. Fortunately specific communities in Spain remained true to their traditions and continued to develop the breed's grip and hold insticts as their ancestors had done centuries ago. In the 1980's the largest population of the breed is found in the mountainous area called Encartaciones, later these efforts culminated with the official recognition of the breed in 2004.
- GENERAL APPEARANCE
- IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
The length of the trunk should be 10% greater than the height at the withers.
The thoracic perimeter exceed by 25% the height at the withers.
- TEMPERAMENT/BEHAVIOUR
HEAD
Brachycephalic, square-looking head, large and powerful.
- CRANIAL REGION
- NASAL-FRONTAL DEPRESSION
FACIAL REGION (FACE)
- NOSE
- SNOUT
- LIPS
- JAW-TEETH
- CHEEKS
- EYES
- EARS
- NECK
BODY
The length of the body is equal to the height at the withers plus 10% of this, the topline should be straight or slightly upward, never downward.
- CROSS
- DORSO
- CROUP
- HINDQUARTERS
- CHEST
- ABDOMEN:
- TAIL
FORELIMBS
- GENERAL APPEARANCE
- BACK
- ARMS
- ELBOWS
- FOREARM
- CARPUS
- METACARPUS
- FRONT FEET
HINDLIMBS
- GENERAL APPEARANCE
- THIGHS
- KNEES
- LEGS
- HOCK
- METATARSUS
- HIND FEET
MOVEMENT
In step loading the weight on the front giving the appearance of a rhythmic movement, similar to that of the big cats. The head is carried low. The trot is wide and long, similar in conformation to the gate. The gallop is fast and elastic with great extension and flexion of the trunk. Very fast and strong. In trials they are valued always for the walk and trot.
SKIN
Thick, attached to the body but somewhat thick, being more lax in the neck and head.
HAIR
Short and dense, something thick, has a short, fine undercoat.
COLOR
- Brindle in all their ranges, the carbon like color can occur in all shades. With or without a black mask.
- Tawny in all ranges, from sand to red, the carbon color can occur in all shades. With or without black mask.
- Black and brindle: presents the distribution of color in other breeds is called black and tan coat, even in the special case of the Spanish Alano tan markings are tabby. With or without black mask.
HEIGHT & WEIGHT
- Height: males, 58-63 cm, females 55-60 cm.
- Weight: males, 30-40 kg, females, 25-35 kg.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of it is considered in proportion to the degree of deviation from the standard.
- SLIGHT FAULTS
Marked wrinkling craniofacial region.
Accentuated undershot.
Tail slightly curled when the animal is in action.
Scissor or pincer bite in specimens of more than one year.
- SERIOUS
Lips excessively hanging.
Curved lower jaw.
Excessive wrinkles in the craniofacial region.
Head incorrect proportions.
Descending dorsal line.
Structure too light or too heavy.
Legs clearly deviant.
Shyness in adult.
Unjustified aggression towards other dogs or people.
Very large white spots.
Curled tail when the dog is at rest.
Tail exceed the hock.
- DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
Individuals predominantly white or any other color that does not correspond with the description.
Crooked mouth.
Craniofacial lines clearly divergent.
Presence of dewclaws or traces of amputation.
Copies monorchid, cryptorchid or castrated males.
NOTE: Males should have two fully developed normal testicles descended into the scrotum.