General description

  A hunting dog, rough and well proportioned. Brachiycephalic form of head, square in appearance and with a serious expression. Its body structure is graceful, its movements are agile, and almost feline. the bite is very strong and firm. It has a serious and resolute charachter, and shows distrust towards strangers.

Origins

      The breed originated in the Iberian peninsula, there are references of its existence dates back to the 14th century. Possibly it is descended from the hunting dogs brought by the barbaric tribes after the fall of the roman empire.

       The Spanish Alano traditionally has been used for three basic functions.

        Herding of cattle
        Big-game hunting
        Guarding and defense of their homes

         In all these funtions the Alano depends on most of its outstanding charachteristics, its forceful bite. The grip of the Spanish Alano is known and praised since ancient times. The dog bites with the whole jaw, extending the grip back to its molars. The grip is very steady and is maintained for a long period.

          Its charachter is very serious and reliable. It is not tolerant with strangers who are watched with suspision. It shifts to attack with little outward signs of exitation. When biting wild or brave animals it seeks specific spots on these beasts such as ears or snout.

           Its psychological development is slow as it does not achieve maturity until it becomes two years old. Before reaching that age the dog may show signs of insecurity, and is not advisable to try to force the development of its charachter. On achieving maturity the dog will not fear anything, and reacts with self-assurance when threatened. With its master it acts submissively and willingness to be trained.

Morphology  

Height and weight   

Males 58-63 cms
Females 55-60 cms
Weight between 35 Kg. and 45 Kg.

Note: There should be some degree of harmony between the weight and size, allowing variations of 2 cm. from the sizes shown provided that the dog is well proportioned.

Head Skull.

Brachicephalic in form, large bulky, with prominent and round frontal temples, and emphasized frontal nasal depression. The skull/face ratio is 65/35. the temple muscles are well developed.

Face and Muzzle

Shorter than the skull, very wide and powerful, and usually comprising about 35% of the total length of the head.

Eyes

Appreciably separated, slightly ovaled, and with serious expression. Clear hazel or yellowish in color depending on the color of the coat, producing the characteristic expression of the breed. Noticeable Zeugmatic facial arches.

Ears

With medium insertion and usually cut back from the base; small in size and carried folded over the face.

Jaws.

Strong sound teeth, the incisors should be well aligned and the canines short and wide and well separated from each other. The bite scissor-like with slight prognathism allowed, of not more than 2mm.

Nose.

Large, wide and with open orifice.

Skin.

Adhered to the muscles. Slightly hanging lower lip. Some wrinkles appear on the forehead when the dog is attentive. Black pigmentation of the nostrils and eyelids.

Neck.

Very strong and powerful, short and wide, with slight dewlap that should never be extreme.

Torso Rib Cage.

Ribs well sprung, not cylindrical, dropping to the level of the elbows. Back and withers strong and solid.

Backbone Outline.

Straight and slightly ascending.

Brisket.

Medium wide and deep, very muscular.

Shoulders.

Well developed with large powerful shoulder-blades, providing an ample width for the insertion of front extremities

 Abdominal Region.

Slightly tuck-up without having a Greyhound appearance.

Croup.

Wide and moderately short. Slightly sloping.

Tail.

Medium at birth, thick at the base, it gradually tapers, thinning at the tip. The length reaches to the hock. It is carried high, arching slightly towards the romp without becoming curled.

Extremeties

Forelegs, Long straight and quite vertical, when viewed from the front or side. Strong-boned and well developed. Long, inclined upper arms. Compact paws with firm strong toes in the form of cats-paws.

Hindlegs. Strong well developed muscles. Quite vertical and correctly angled. Breech is moderately high and solid. Paws same as front paws

Movement.

Walking. When stepping weight is carried by the foreward train giving the appearance of a chained movement, more like that of a feline than a canine. the head is carried low

Trotting. Ample long, with a style similar to walking

Galloping.

Rapid and elastic with considerable stretching and flexing of the torso. Very fast.

Skin.

Adhered to body but rather elastic, somewhat looser at the neck and head.

Hair. Short, dense, and rather thick, without undercoat.

Color. Brindled and fawn in all its variations.
              Black brindle, Wolf grey, White allowed with all colors on the lower legs  as well as on the chest, neck and muzzle

Faults.

Slight. Underbite of over 2mm. provided that the canines remain interlocked,, Missing more than two pre-molars.

Serious. Excessive under-shot (over 5mm.)
                  Missing more than the two premolars.
                  Lack of stop
                  Unsociable character.
                  Lack of good bone.

Very Serious. Long hair.
                             Abnormal colors.
                             Timid personality.
                             Mastiff like appearance
                             Greyhound structure.
                             Twisted mouth.
                             Monorchid or castrated dogs.
 And all general characteristics that deviate from those described in the breed standard.

Casa Hidalgo, Alanos Españoles
Saúl Saltares Díaz, Owner Breeder
718/963-3106, perromorro.ny@netzero.com