Alan (Alan Spanish, French Bulldog)

Alan Spanish

Alan - well known to historians of the legendary breed light Molosser that Spaniards consider theirs. Image Alan we find in Goya, and the stories about him - in the hunting literature since 1350. Alan displaced by officially recognized the breed almost disappeared in the modern world. Survived only a few dozen individuals in remote pastoral areas of Spain. In general, the breed is not recognized by the Central Royal Society of dogs. Spanish dog handlers, like their counterparts in other countries in recent years have paid close attention to the local breeds, and to happiness, found that the Spanish Alano, more than any other breed of dogs, bears true "Spanish character" in the human interpretation of it options: a combination of courage and generosity.


Breed name
By - Spanish «alano» means "Bulldog", but this breed is mentioned under various synonyms. Among them are often (in Spanish chato - «snub"), often de Presa (de presa - dog, used for baiting), Perro de Presa Affairs toro (for baiting bulls), Chato salmantino, Dogo de Burgos (Burgos - Administrative center of the eponymous province), Culebra (culebro - «so, the snake"), and other local designations. In addition, the name of the breed is a direct analogy with the name drevnesarmatskih tribes - Alan, who we actually owe the appearance of the dogs in Western Europe.

History Alan
Alan - ancient breed, whose fate is linked with the history of Spain. It is believed that the ancestors of these dogs came to the Iberian peninsula from the invading Alans there at the end of IV - beginning of the V century AD. These Iranian - speaking peoples from the Caucasus Sarmatian origin - direct ancestors of the Ossetians - controlled most of Western Europe and, later, of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly cattle and hunting areas of Andalusia, Extremadura and western Castile. Alan is the first description of the Spanish "Book of hunting", published by King of Castile and Leon Alfonso XI (1311 - 1350). Many chronicles also mentioned that Alan was brought to America by Spanish colonizers.

Alan Spanish

Thus, these dogs have played a significant role in a number of species, not only the oldest, but the New World. In 1883 in Spain was prohibited from using dogs to "pacification" of bulls decreased hunting grounds, has gone night hunting on horseback. In addition, most of the breeders in Spain moved to modern intensive type of farming in which the cattle graze in paddocks. All this led to the breed gradually declined.
It was believed that by the 1930s, Alan disappeared, but the dogs are still preserved in some ranchers and hunters.

Revival
Official cynology Alan thought extinct breed, but in Spain have decided to restore it. For this initiative Carlos Conter in 1980 a group of dog trainers and veterinarians have begun testing these dogs livestock in pastoral areas. The results showed that, in many of them is Alan systematically confused with dogs inostranyh rocks of the same type.

However, in Salamanca, Burgos on the server, in the Cantabrian mountains and some of Extremadura breed remained relatively clean. The most outstanding representatives of the breed that have had a major impact on her recovery, come from mountain areas north of the Iberian Peninsula, where the livestock are still preserved archaic traditions. Only Alan can handle the half-wild savage bulls in the harsh conditions of the area.

In the selection of dogs to restore the breed Spanish Alano main criterion is the quality of work - as a guarantee of pure breed. Recreate animals, resembling the breed - the problem is not too complicated, it's a matter of generations. It is much harder to reproduce behaviors that were formed in the rock for centuries. Alan - a calm dog with a sense of dignity and expressed a desire to be the leader. At the same time easy to control Alan: He obeys his master's voice, and works well in a group. Alan acted reasonably in the hunt, and in the paddock bulls, does not waste energy on useless activities.
In 1997, the Spanish Society of development, support and development of the Alan (SEFCA) has developed a standard for the breed Spanish Alano, which was approved at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Genetics, University of Córdoba.

Hunter, shepherd, guard
Alan - a classic pickling dog possessing a powerful grip and steady mentality. For centuries, herders used to pacify aggressive bulls special breed Bravo (Lydia), intended for bullfighting, and as a pickling dog to hunt wild boar, and more recently as a caretaker and protector. During the subjugation of American Indians Alano used for military purposes.
Throughout its history, the breed was only working, especially its application fostered courage, physical strength and speed of movement, well-developed senses - smell, sight and hearing.
Alan is hardy and undemanding, it is well to heal wounds (blood clots very quickly). Work with ferocious bulls have developed Alano special qualities: mindfulness and lightning reactions, agility and flexibility of movement, the ability to jump to a sudden, acumen and sensitivity to learning, a balanced mind. Overall, Alan has all the qualities of herding dogs and dogs for protection. Also, it is true and faithful dog, very gentle and good-natured with his family. Alan is easy to cope with the horse, and can knock down a cow weighing 300 kg, but with care and patience to deal with children as a caring nurse.

Alan Spanish 

Spanish Alano designed to work in rural settings. Keep this dog as a room can not. Alan needed exercise, his active nature should be able to fully manifest. The city innate activity Alano not properly use and dog can become aggressive. Passion shows in damage working qualities in danger of losing the most valuable in this breed - its nature. Alan is very hardy and undemanding, economically consume food: the day working dog requires 250-300g. He gets along well with other dogs, animals, and family friends. With strangers kept strictly. Combining the strength and vitality of the etching dog hunter, Alan keeps quiet, unless the circumstances require him to act quickly and decisively. This dog knows its territory, it can not care for the estate or farm animals. Nature lovers and sports will find Alan gifted dog, suitable for a variety of work in all conditions.