Loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and sociable, with good work ethics, the Spanish bulldog is the symbol of dignity and tenacity. Even though this large-sized molosser, with its partially wrinkled, black-masked face, has a somewhat ferocious appearance, you cannot help but be amazed by its docile and easy-going demeanor.
Its large, sturdy body, along with its loyalty to its job, makes it excellent hunting and guarding dog. It has a deep bark and will always alert you of an intruder. When alert, your canine friend’s stance will be firm and vigilant. When working, it fearlessly follows the orders of its owner.
If you have a smaller pet, never leave it with your Alano unattended. Unless you can keep them under close supervision, do not go for this breed.
First written reference to Spanish bulldog-like hunting dogs in the “Book of the Hunt of Alfonso XI”
Francisco Goya, the Spanish painter, portrayed Alanos in a series of prints depicting bullfighting scenes (La Tauromaquia)
Banning of Alano Español in bullfighting rings caused a sharp decline in their population
Identification of a small population of Alanos in northern and western Spain
The National Association of Breeders of Spanish Alano (Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Alano Español) formed
The Spanish Kennel Club recognized Alano Español
Alano Español does well on dry dog food, which you can mix with water, broth, and canned food. It sometimes loves eating cooked eggs, vegetables, fruits, and cottage cheese, but these ‘people’s foods’ should not constitute more than 10% of its daily diet.
While there are several brands of dog foods available, we prefer giving our pooch Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food and Now Fresh Grain Free Adult Dog Recipe. You may consult your vet to find out which brand suits your dog the best.
Since your Alano is an active breed, it needs a lot of physical activity for not just burning calories but also avoiding boredom. You can take your dog outdoors for long walks a couple of times a day or allow it to play in a fenced yard. Supervised games will help in curbing its strong desire to dig, herd, chew and chase.
As a short-haired dog with a thick coat, it has minimal grooming requirements. You can keep your Alano clean by brushing its coat once or twice every week with a rubber brush. You may also regularly check its hair for fleas and ticks, especially during warm weather. It does not need to be bathed frequently, and a cotton ball dipped in a mild cleaning solution can be used for cleaning its wrinkles and ears.
The Alano Español can be difficult to handle and train, especially if you are a first-time owner. Early socialization is necessary to help give your pup a good start in life. It may display dominant behavior but will submit if you know how to handle an alpha dog. You may enroll it in puppy training classes where it will learn to obey you.
