The Alano Espanol is a breed of dog native to Spain, they are well known for their role in bullfights in years gone by. They are sometimes known as Spanish bulldogs in some places in the world.

The history of the Alano stretches back as far as the 14th century. They take their name from the Alani, the nomadic people of Spain who kept the dogs to guard their livestock. During the Spanish expedition to America, many explorers took the dogs as companions, seeing the spread of the breed reach across the world.

The Alano is built to run at high speeds for long periods of time. They have both strength and endurance as their qualities.

Appearance

The Alano is a very large breed of dog. They are characterised by their large head, strong chest and shoulders and long legs. They measure at around 24 inches in height and can weigh up to 45 kg when they are a full grown adult. They have a short thick coat which comes in four variations of colour; red, bayo, blue or grey. The coat can have black points, particularly around the face. Some dogs have been known to have white patches as well. They have a short nose and high set ears. The skin often has wrinkles or creases within it.

In recent years the numbers of the Alano have been in decline. They are no longer used for hunting or bullfighting. While they are still sometimes used as a stock dog it is much less frequency than in recent years. There are a few breeders in North America who are currently promoting the breed and trying to increase numbers.

Temperament

Alanos are very social animals, being that they have been bred to work in packs. They do well both with people and with other pets. It is important that they are socialised with humans as well as with other animals from a young age.

A large and active dog, Alanos are happiest when put to a task. They need plenty of exercise and like to have something to occupy them.

Alanos will do well in a family environment, and have been known to be particularly affectionate towards children and adults. They learn best as puppies and it can be difficult to change their habits at an older age.

They can be very aggressive towards strangers and can be trained to fight upon command by their owners. They are very loyal when trained and will always follow the orders of their masters, despite their dominant personalities.

Working and Tasks

There are documents recording the use of Alano as war dogs, both in gaining occupation of America and in the enslavement of Africans who were transported to America. The dogs were also used in bullfights, to rev u-p the bulls, their agility usually enabling them to escape harm. There is also accounts of the Alano being used in hunting.

Health

While there is a lowered risk than with other breeds, it is recommended that Alano Espanol dogs are tested for hip dysplasia. They have very few health problems, however the small pool left for breeding purposes mean that this may be a possibility in the future.