Standard of the Spanish Alano



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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.

  • GENERAL APPEARANCE
        Molosser type dog, well balanced, of straight profile, rangy, smooth and rustic. The animal is eminently functional, of sound structure, endowed with great agility, speed and strength, elastic movements reminiscent of a feline. Brachycephalic, square-looking head, wide skull and strong and naso-frontal depression very strong, short muzzle, broad and deep.

  • IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
        Its length should be between 35-37% of the total head.
        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
       In the performance of its functions, the Spanish Alano has always worked as a team member, with other adult dogs of the same sex and breed, or other (terriers, hounds, tracking dogs or mastiffs), it is therefore a mastiff, gregarious and sociable easily able to fraternize with other dogs with whom they live. It has great ability to learn and excellent skills as a working dog, combining functionality, beauty and strength with an innate affection for humans. As a family dog it ​​is easy to train, very affectionate and patient with children. All the seriousness of their external appearance is translated internally into a noble and well balanced character.

HEAD
        Brachycephalic, square-looking head, large and powerful.
  • CRANIAL REGION
        The profile slightly convex, flat between the ears, broad and strong, prominent and rounded chest. Cranial-facial lines must be parallel, being able to support a very slight convergence, although not desirable. Never divergent. With a marked depression in the frontal sinuses. Muscles are well developed temporal, occipital crest is deleted due to the large muscle development; Arcades zygomatic manifest. The skin should be smooth, without wrinkles, except those made between the ears when the dog is attentive.
  • NASAL-FRONTAL DEPRESSION
        Very marked.


FACIAL REGION (FACE)
  • NOSE
        Nose large, broad, with wide open nostrils. Always pigmented black.
  • SNOUT
        Shorter than the skull square aspect, very wide and deep, normally represents 37 percent of the total length of the head, supports a somewhat shorter snout provided that no less than 35 percent of total head. It must not have wrinkles or creases. The chin is broad and strong, easily noticeable if you are facing, your profile should not be evasive or outstanding.
  • LIPS
        Moderately thick, the upper slightly hanging, cover the bottom, barely visible when the mouth is closed. The pigmentation should always be black.
  • JAW-TEETH
        Well-developed jaws. Strong and healthy teeth, the incisors should be large and well aligned, the canines short and wide, far apart. Perfect inverted scissor bite (upper teeth for its outer face contact with the lower incisors on its inner side) although admittedly a slight underbite. The absence of the first premolar (PM-1) shall not constitute a defect.
  • CHEEKS
        Masseter muscles well developed, never exaggerated.
  • EYES
        Medium sized, spaced, rounded appearance. Hazel, amber or yellow, regardless of coat color. Eyelids stuck in black and heavily pigmented. The serious expression, piercing eyes, is characteristic of the breed.
  • EARS
        Set medium, widely separated, usually cut from its base, slightly rounded and pointed, of small size. If not trimmed are carried folded over the face and of medium size.
  • NECK
        Very strong, straight, relatively short and wide. The skin is more lax than in the rest of the body in a slight double chin wich should never be exaggerated.
 

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
        Defined, average insertion in line downward toward the back. It is wide, long and muscular.
  • DORSO
        Straight back and muscular.
  • CROUP
        The lower back should be relatively long, wide and muscular.
  • HINDQUARTERS
        Broad, strong and slightly sloping.
  • CHEST
        Moderately wide, deep and well developed muscles, seen in profile it descends to the height of the elbow. Chest width, between point of shoulders, is equivalent to 30% of the height at the withers. Ribs are arched, not cylindrical, chest circumference is approximately equal to the height at the withers plus 25 percent of it.
  • ABDOMEN:
        Seen in profile, the chest has a line that ascends gradually towards the abdomen. The belly should be retracted, never as a greyhound.
  • TAIL
        Average birth, thick at the base tapering gradually to the tip. Length to the hock. At rest, the shaping may be pendant or hook shaped very open, in action is carried high and with a slight bow to the back without being screwed. The hair can be somewhat denser than the rest of the body, without forming fringes.


FORELIMBS
  • GENERAL APPEARANCE
        Seen from the front, or in profile, the legs are long, straight, and well plumbed. Bones are strong and well developed.
  • BACK
        Long, wide and oblique. Has a strong and long musculature. The angle of scapular articulations is 100 degrees.
  • ARMS
        Humerus is long, strong, with a well developed musculature. It should be prallel to the middle of the body.
  • ELBOWS
        Parallels to the middle of the body, whitout being too close to the torax.
  • FOREARM
        Long, straight, as seen from the front or profile. Strong bones and accentuated musculature.
  • CARPUS
        Short and strong
  • METACARPUS
        Long and strong. They should be moderately angulated never verticle.
  • FRONT FEET
        Large, typically rustic, with strong, thick pads, toes are arched, firm and slightly separated. Nails short and strong. Neither cat feet and hare's foot are desirable.


HINDLIMBS
  • GENERAL APPEARANCE
        Strong, long and well developed muscles but without being overstated. Well plumb and correctly angled.
  • THIGHS
        Long, well-defined musculature.
  • KNEES
        Parallel, the angle between the femur and tibia is about 120 degrees.
  • LEGS
        Long, strong bones and muscles. Strong and visible tendons.
  • HOCK
        High, their average height is about 30% of the height at the withers. The ankle joint is at an angle of about 130 degrees.
  • METATARSUS
        Long and strong, perfectly composed. Slightly thinner than the pasterns. No spurs.
  • HIND FEET
        Similar to the front feet conformation but somewhat smaller.

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.
All layers can appear stained in white, in the limbs, chest and neck. While it is desirable to have the smallest possible target presence.


HEIGHT & WEIGHT
  • Height: males, 58-63 cm, females 55-60 cm.
  • Weight: males, 30-40 kg, females, 25-35 kg.
Note: Between the weight and size there must be harmony, a difference of 2 cm is tolerated.


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
        Absence of one or two premolars, not the PM-1.
        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
        Craniofacial lines clearly converging.
        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
        Total or partial depigmentation of the nose or eyes.
        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.