The name of the breed comes from the Iranian tribe of Alani, nomadic pastoralists who arrived in Spain as part of the Migration Period in the 5th Century. These peoples were known to keep large livestock guardian dogs and pursuit dogs which became the basis for the many regional Alaunt types. The first written reference to the breed in Spain is in a chapter of the 14th century "Book of the Hunt of Alfonso XI" in which hunting dogs called Alani are described as having beautiful colours. Dogs of this type traveled with Spanish explorers and were used as war dogs in the subjugation of Indian peoples, as well as in the capturing of slaves. portraying the dogs in the bullfighting ring as they were used in 1816. Note that the dog's ears are uncropped, indicating they were only used for bull-baiting and not dog fighting. Bull-baiting, done in the bullfighting ring with dogs of this type, was recorded by Francisco de Goya in his series on La Tauromaquia in 1816. It was outlawed in 1880. In 1880, use of dogs in the bullfighting ring was outlawed, so the breed numbers began to dwindle as the work they performed began to change. Big game became rare, stockyards were modernized and no longer needed dogs to hold the cattle, using dogs in bullfights was outlawed, and by 1963 Alanos were thought to be extinct.
Recognition
In the 1970s a group of fanciers and veterinary students made house-to-house calls in western and northern Spain. They found a few examples of the dogs in the Basque areas of Enkarterri and Cantabria that were being used to herd semi-wild cattle and hunt wild boar. A breed standard was written and the dogs were documented and bred. In the early 1990s, breeders were involved in the recovery process of the small vulnerable population, and in 1995 the breeders organized into Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Alano Español. The Alano Español was recognised as an independent breed by Real Sociedad Canina de España in 2004, and studies at the University of Cordoba clarified the Alano as distinct from any other breed at the genetic level. The SpanishMinistry of Agriculture recognises the Alano Español as an indigenous Spanish breed. The breed in Spain is still small in number and the breed has not yet been recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Examples of the Alano Español have been exported to North America where a few breeders are promoting it for its temperament and hunting ability.
Characteristics
The Alano Español is a very large dog of molossoid type, with a large, strong head. Males should be no smaller than at the withers, and should weigh with females somewhat smaller. The coat is short and thick but never velvety, and is most often a brindle of any color; leonardo ; black and brindle; sable wolf. White chest flashes are acceptable but prevalence of white is not. The face may or may not have a black mask. The head is the shape of a cube and is brachycephalic. The muzzle is short with the lower jaw slightly concave, and has a very large, broad, black nose. The ears are set high and may be drop or cut short. The skin is very thick, with neck folds and some wrinkles on the face. Despite the sometimes used English name, the Alano is not a bulldog: it should never have a flat muzzle or show signs of prognathism. The cranio-facial proportion should be 65:35, meaning a significantly longer muzzle than for instance the Boxer has. Since the breed was used for hunting in packs, it is sociable with other dogs.
