A serious and restrained giant with feline grace — the Alanian dog

The remarkable Alanian dog breed embodies the essence of both a giant and a feline by skillfully fusing strength and elegance. This dog is remarkable not only for its size but also for its serene disposition, as evidenced by its majestic stature and elegant movements. The noble heritage of the Alanian is reflected in its rich history, which was originally bred for protection and herding.

Brief historical background

Like other ancient dog breeds, the Alanian dog’s exact origins are unknown. Most people agree that these animals first showed up in Spain in the fourth or fifth century. They were carried by wandering barbarian tribes who employed strong, powerful dogs for hunting, military purposes, and to keep their enormous herds of sheep and cows safe from untamed predators.

One of the most widely accepted theories claims that these wandering tribes, the Alans, are the source of the breed’s name.

The renowned medieval author Juan Manuel’s "Book of Hunting," which was written in the fourteenth century, contains the first known written references to this breed. The exterior and character of the Alano are described in great detail in this work. Due to their practice of baiting large animals (bears, bison, etc.) at the very end of the hunt, Spanish bulldogs were known as "baiting" in Europe. In addition, the dogs actively participated in the gory corridies that were popular at the time.

In his "Book of Hunting" (Libro de la caza), the medieval author Juan Manuel describes dogs that are strikingly similar to the Alano

However, as hunting areas shrank, the breed’s demand and popularity gradually declined. Since the law banning the use of dogs in cruel entertainment was passed in 1883, the population has declined particularly sharply. Because the Alanic Dogs had almost completely stopped reproducing, the population was in danger of going extinct. They were thought to be extinct by the middle of the previous century.

A group of veterinary professionals and cynologists took the initiative in the 1980s and discovered several typical members of the original indigenous breed, none of whom had any other Molossian dog blood mixed into their veins. On the basis of them, several breed lines were created. The breed was fully revived only toward the end of the 20th century.

In isolated Spanish villages, purebred Alanos continue to reside.

The first official breed standard was created and approved by SEFCA (Spanish Society for the Breeding, Development and Support of the Alano) in 1997. In 2004, the Ministry of Agriculture recognized the Dogo Alano as a native Spanish breed, and the Spanish National Club of Dog Lovers recognized it as an independent breed. The FCI and other international organizations continue to refuse to recognize this breed.

In 2015, the Alan Dogo was registered in Russia, and a national club for enthusiasts of this uncommon breed was established at the same time.

Description of the Alan Dogo breed

The primary function of the Alanian fighting dog is to safeguard herds of cattle. It also serves as a bait for large game during hunting seasons. The Alano is more frequently employed as a guard and bodyguard in contemporary times.

Certain dogs participate in illegal underground dog fights.

Appearance

The Molossian-type physique of the Alano dog is somewhat dry and light. A well-defined muscular corset, robust bones, a powerful but not overly projecting wither, a strong back with a barely perceptible bend (overslope), a muscular wide loin, a low-set deep chest, and a tucked-up belly line all contribute to the body’s elongation.

The Alano dog has a very balanced build.

• Height at the withers:

• females – 56-61 cm;
• males – 60-65 cm.

• females – 33-38 kg;
• males — 38–45 kg.

The Alano moves surprisingly deftly and elegantly with truly feline grace, despite its massiveness and power. The dog is unique in that it is graceful, flexible, and incredibly agile. It gains a lot of speed when it runs.

The rough coat is thicker on the chest and shorter (1-2 cm). There is a dewlap on the neck, tiny, shallow folds on the head, and thick, rough skin that fits the body quite tightly. While any hue will do, a wide range of shades of brindle—such as fawn, golden-copper, red, black, gray, etc.—is preferred. As much uniformity as possible in the tone should be achieved (no big white spots). It’s okay to wear a black mask on the muzzle.

Brindle coloration is the ideal for Alanese dogs.

Character and psyche of the breed

The character of the Alano dog is noble, calm, and well-balanced. A large, powerful dog has a strong sense of self-worth and a strong desire to be in charge. obeys its lone, strong, and powerful owner without question, acknowledging him as a leader. He is mild and gentle with the other family members and always views strangers with caution and mistrust, but not in an overtly aggressive way.

It is highly advised against breeding this serious breed to indecisive, physically and morally weak individuals.

It tolerates annoying children for a while, allowing itself to be stroked and petted. If a child makes a careless move (trying to get into its mouth, eyes, ears, or causing pain), it may react inappropriately, showing a natural defensive reaction. For this reason, it is better not to leave a small child alone with an Alanian fighting dog. Other animals living on the same territory with it do not cause any emotions in the dog, it treats them very tolerantly, assigning them a lower hierarchical level. It will always fight back against the angry attacks of other large-caliber dogs, but it will not initiate a fight itself. Alano simply ignores small canines.

Alano withstands the pinches and nagging of young children with patience.

The dog’s grip is dead, and it will use its teeth without hesitation if a real threat materializes.

The Alan Dog is an incredibly devoted and naturally protective animal that excels at both bodyguard and guard duties. Reacts immediately and makes decisions quickly in non-standard and critical situations; does not wait for the owner’s instruction. He never barks in vain; he only lets out a sound when someone crosses the limits of the territory that has been assigned to him. Puppies have strong personalities, so you need to socialize and train them early on to avoid them becoming aggressive and challenging to handle.

I recently saw a large dog in Abkhazia that bore striking resemblances to an Alanian fighting dog. The creature was incredibly menacing looking; its entire body, including its muzzle, was covered in wounds from fights and skirmishes. Despite all of this, it wandered freely around the yard with the gates wide open, giving no thought to the passing tourists.

Disqualifying defects and faults

Minimal departures from the breed traits are regarded as acceptable flaws.

Among the disqualifying flaws are:

• scissor bite;
• overbite more than 3 mm;
• blue eyes;
• insufficiently bright (light) pigmentation of gums, lips and nose mirror;
• frail, poorly developed chest;
• squat back (withers higher than croup);
• cryptorchidism;
• small stature (less than standard);
• any significant deviation from the standard;
• serious behavioral deviations (excessive aggressiveness, instability).

The majestic Alanian dog breed is known for its ability to blend elegance and strength. It is frequently characterized as a composed, serious giant. These canines, who are renowned for their fidelity and protectiveness, move with a grace that belies their stature. For families and individuals who value a gentle giant as well as a vigilant guardian, they make great companions.

Choosing a puppy

There are incredibly few Alan dog breeds in Russia. As per the official national club of Alano enthusiasts, there are no more than 70 registered individuals. Purchasing a puppy is really challenging. North Ossetia is home to the majority of nurseries; Ossetian breeders are in close communication with their Spanish counterparts at all times. Only purchase a puppy of this uncommon breed from a specialized nursery, where the animal’s purebreed status is guaranteed and all required paperwork is provided (pedigree, puppy card, veterinary book, etc.).

Getting a decent purebred Alanese puppy is hard.

A narrow specialist or expert in dogs is the only person who can tell a small Alano from puppies of other molossoid breeds that are similar to them.

Video: Alanese dogs are being bred again in North Ossetia

Price of a puppy of this breed

Puppies of Alano dogs are priced starting at thirty thousand rubles, but they can cost up to sixty to seventy thousand rubles, depending on the parents’ working abilities and the prospects of the resulting offspring.

Because Spanish bulldogs are expensive, dishonest breeders frequently sell animals that are entirely mongrel or impurebred, misrepresenting them as purebred Alano. It is advised to visit the kennel in person before making a purchase to inspect the parent pair and the keeping conditions.

Care of the Alanese dog

For large and active dogs of a class not lower than super premium (Royal Canin MAXI ADULT, Bosch Adult Maxi, etc.), you can feed the Dogo Alano both naturally occurring freshly prepared food and ready-made factory dry compositions.

An all-natural home diet includes:

• lean meats (beef, veal, turkey, etc.);
• eggs (chicken and quail);
• boiled ocean fish (pollock, halibut, etc.);
• offal (liver, kidneys, etc.);
• porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat, etc.);
• of raw and cooked vegetables (pumpkin, carrots, turnips, squash, etc.);
• fruits;
• vitamin-mineral complexes (Gelakan, joy and others.).

"Gelakan Darling" is a simple, secure, and efficient natural remedy for treating and preventing musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses in dogs.

The protein component of the meal should account for at least 80% of its overall volume. Puppies are fed three to six times a day, depending on their age; adults are fed twice a day.

Give dogs no sugary, extremely salty, spicy, peppery, spicy, fatty, or tubular (chicken) bones.

Once or twice a week, the short, hard coat is combed with a rubber mitten or brush. Water procedures using the zooshampo (Artero Vitalizante, Espree Argan Oil Shampoo, and others) are scheduled no more frequently than once every three to four months. Every week, ear examinations take place, and eyes are checked, cleaned, and wiped with a cotton pad dipped in a particular animal lotion (leopard, dew, etc.). If necessary, claws are cut once a month.

Dogs named Alan are adept at jumping and climbing trees.

Large, rambunctious Alano is very difficult to contain in an apartment; for them, living in a private home or a rustic cottage with a nice, big yard for walking is far more comfortable. They are allowed to live in the aviary; however, they cannot be placed on a chain. The Alanic dogs are moved into a warm room during the winter because their wool is short. Dogs require vigorous walks three times a day for an hour so they can run, jump, and play.

Training

For those who wish to train Alanian combat dogs, you will require the assistance of a kinologist instructor who is well-versed in Psov raising and the subtleties of working with intelligent animals. Training this breed can be challenging, particularly for a novice with little experience. Training an Alano is simple when done by someone with experience, but you should work with it for the entirety of its life to continuously instill good traits and abilities. You can teach basic commands to your pet on your own. Five to six months later, obedience classes are taken.

When working with an Alano, it’s critical to convey to the dog that the trainer, not he, is the leader of the tandem. There should be no compromises or indulgences given to the pet. Using brute force is not acceptable.

It is essential that Alan Dogs be trained.

Diseases of the Alan Dog

There aren’t any trustworthy data on inherited genetic diseases that are specific to the Alano because there aren’t many livestock. The majority of owners mention how healthy and immune these dogs are. They can live for 14 to 16 years if given the right care.

The breed’s propensity for increased blood clotting makes wounds tighten and heal considerably more quickly.

Video: Spanish Alano

Characteristic	Description
Size	Large and powerful
Temperament	Calm and protective
Appearance	Muscular with a graceful gait
Exercise Needs	Moderate daily activity
Grooming	Low maintenance coat

The Alanian dog is a unique breed that combines grace and strength. These canines, with their striking stature and kind disposition, are the epitome of strength and elegance. They are excellent companions for both individuals and families due to their serene disposition, making them more than just massive physical beings.

The rich history of the Alanian is what really makes it unique. Because they were originally bred for herding and protection, they have a strong sense of familial loyalty. This breed does best in settings where it can interact with people and be a part of daily life.

Although raising an Alanian dog is a commitment, the benefits are great. These dogs thrive when given the right training and socialization, exhibiting their loving personality. Even though they are enormous giants, they have a certain charm that comes from their feline grace.

The Alanian dog is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a loyal companion or a caring family pet. They are a cherished addition to any house because of their special combination of grace, strength, and loyalty.

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