Breed standard

General appearance

The Alano Español is traditionally a dog that is used for handling wild cattle, as well as for hunting. In the general appearance of the Alano we note that it is a dog of the molossoid eumetric type. He has a straight profile and is long, harmonious and rustic. He is extremely functional, blessed with great agility, speed and resistance. His elastic movements are reminiscent of those of a feline. He has a square-looking head (brachycephalic) with a broad and sturdy skull. The nasofrontal depression is very noticeable. The mouth is short, broad and deep.

Character and behavior

As part of his duties, the Alano has always worked with other dogs of the same breed and of the same sex or others (Podencos , Villanos , Mastins or other bloodhounds). The Alano is therefore a friendly and social giant that can easily live with other dogs. He has great learning capabilities and excellent working dog skills, combining functionality, beauty and his ability to exert himself with an inborn devotion to man.

As a family dog ​​he is easy to raise, very affectionate and patient with children.

Important measurements

The length and muzzle must be between 35-37% of the total height. The length of the trunk must be 10% higher than the height at the withers. The chest circumference must be 25% larger than the height at the withers.

  1. 1. Height at the shoulders.
  2. 2. Height to the tail.
  3. 3. Length of the body.
  4. 4. Diameter from back to sternum.
  5. 5. Chest circumference.
  6. 6. Circumference of the front limbs.
  7. 7. Circumference of the back limbs.
  8. 8. Width of the torso.
  9. 9. Length of the head.
  10. 10. Length of the skull.
  11. 11. Length of the face.

Properties in detail

Head

It is a brachycephalic dog with a large and strong cube-shaped head.

Cranial region

The Alano has a slightly convex, flat skull between the ears. The skull is broad and strong with marked, rounded forehead cavities. The cranio-facial lines must be parallel. A slight convergence is tolerated but is not desirable. These lines never diverge. There is a clear depression between the forehead cavities. The temporal muscles are very strongly developed. The occipital crest is suppressed by the development of large muscles, with the cheekbone arches prominently present. The skin should be smooth and there should be no wrinkles, except between the ears if the dog is attentive.

Nasofrontal depression

This is very clearly visible.

Facial region

  1. 7/11. Ratio skull/head.
  2. A. Longitude of the skull.
  3. B. Longitude of the face.

Nose

The nostrils are wide and open. There is a big truffle. The nose is always pigmented with black.

Snout

The muzzle is shorter than the skull, square and very wide and deep. Usually this is 37% of the total length of the head and it is never less than 35%. The muzzle should not show any wrinkles. The chin is wide and strong. It is also easy to see from the front.

Lips

The lips are moderately thick. The upper lip hangs slightly downwards and covers the lower lip which may barely be visible when the mouth is closed. The lips are always black.

Jaw and teeth

These are well developed in a maxillary manner. The teeth are powerful and healthy. The cutting teeth must be large and well aligned. The short and wide canines are far apart. The ideal jaw is positioned like inverted scissors. The outer surface of the upper incisors is in contact with the inside of the lower incisors. The absence of the first premolar is not a defect.

Cheeks

The cheeks are well developed and never stand out.

Eyes

The eyes are medium sized and spaced apart. They are rounded off in appearance. The color is hazelnut, orange or yellow, regardless of the color of the eyelids. The eyelids are tight and strongly pigmented with black. The serious expression is supported by a penetrating look that is characteristic of the breed.

Ears

The ears are well separated. They are usually cut at the base and slightly rounded and pointed. They are small. If they are not cut, they are worn hanging and firmly placed against the back part of the cheeks.

Front legs

Salomon

The front and side of the legs must be long, straight and well fixed. The bones are strong and well developed.

Shoulder

The shoulder is long, wide and slanted. The musculature of the Alano is broad and strong. The angle of the shoulder joint is about 100 degrees.

Arm

The arm has a long, sturdy humerus with a well-developed muscle mass. Both arms must be parallel to each other.

Elbows

These are parallel to the middle plane of the body. They are not too tightly fixed to the thorax.

Forearm

The forearm is long and straight. The bones are firm and the muscles protrude.

Carpal joint

The carpal joint is short and powerful.

Metacarpal joint

The metacarpal joint is long and strong. It must be moderately angulated and never vertical.

Forefeet

The forefeet are broad, typically rustic, strong and have thick cushions. The fingers are bent, firm and are slightly apart. The claws are short and powerful. Cat feet or fillet feet are undesirable.

Hind legs

The hind legs are strongly muscled and well developed, without exaggeration. They are well implanted and correctly angulated.

Thighs

The thighs are long and muscular.

Knees

The knees are parallel. The femero-tibial angle is about 120 degrees.

Legs

The legs are long, muscular and have strong bones. The tendons are strong and clearly visible.

Hock

The average length corresponds to 30% of the height at the withers. The tibiotarsal joint forms an angle of about 130 degrees.

Metatarsal joint

The metatarsal joint is long and strong. It is perfectly implanted in the body.

Rear feet

Similar to the front feet which are slightly smaller.

The rest of the body

Tigri

Neck

The neck is very strong, straight and relatively short and wide. The skin is looser than the rest of the body with a light double chin that will never stand out.

Body

The length of the torso is equal to 110% of the height at the withers. The back line must be straight or slightly raised, but must never go down.

Back

The Alano has a muscular and strong back.

Lumbar environment

The lumbar environment must be relatively long and wide with a strong muscle mass.

Crotch

The crotch is broad, strong and slightly sloping.

Chest

The chest follows a line that gradually goes up in the direction of the abdomen.

Tail

The tail is averagely thick at the base and rarefies towards the end. At rest, the tail can be very open and hook-shaped, in action it is relatively high and slightly stretched on the back. The hair is denser than the rest of the body, but is never considered to be long.

Skin

The skin is thick and attached to the body. It is slightly elastic, but looser in the neck and on the head.

Hair

The hair of the Alano is short and thick. It is tight with a short, thin undercoat.

Colours

The Alano can occur in all shades of yellow to brown, brindled, black streamed, beige, gray shades and with white spots.

Alana

Movement

The weight is transferred to the front legs, giving the Alano Español rhythmic movements, similar to those of large cats. The trot is elongated and looks like walking. The canter is fast and elastic with large steps. The movement is dynamic and resistant.

Height

The Alano is 58 to 63cm for men and 55 to 60cm for women. Note that there must be a harmony between size and weight.

Weight

The Alano is 30 to 40 kg for men and 25 to 35 kg for women. Note that there must be a harmony between size and weight. There is a tolerance of 2cm.