In the world there are hundreds of breeds of dogs, each of them with characteristics and peculiarities in terms of appearance, size or character. According to the RSCE (Royal Canine Society of Spain) there are 23 Spanish dog breeds, although other federations recognize up to 40 as native to the country.
In this article on our site we will review the Spanish breeds of dogs endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, explaining in general how they are, the most notable details about their character and a photograph so you can learn to identify them. You can not lose this!
1. Spanish Greyhound
The Spanish greyhound stands out among all the greyhound breeds for its stylized appearance and, unfortunately, for the serious mistreatment it suffers in Spain. Every year, hundreds of greyhounds are abandoned and slaughtered at the end of the hunting season or when they are not useful in greyhound racing. It therefore belongs to one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.
We are talking about a particularly ancient dog, already known in ancient times, in fact, its origins date back to the second century before Christ. Like other breeds, it has undergone changes over the centuries to reach the characteristics that distinguish it today. It has a stylized, slim and strong body It has short, smooth fur that comes in different shades, such as dark and light brown, black, white and reddish.
The care of the Spanish greyhound focuses on walks, exercise, rest and care of the coat, especially in cold climates, as it must be properly protected. It is recognized by the FCI.
two. Canary Podenco
The podenco canario, endemic to the Canary Islands, was traditionally used for rabbit hunting He is considered to have an excellent sense of smell, as well as prodigious vision and hearing. It is a Spanish dog of large size, which reaches between 53 and 60 centimeters at the withers. It has a tight smooth coat, usually deep red with white spots. His pointed ears stand out He is recognized by the FCI and the RSCE.
3. Valencian Hound
El Valencian Hound, as its name indicates, is originally from the Community of Valencia. It is also known as "xarnego". Like the podenco canario, it is one of the Spanish dog breeds used for rabbit hunting Currently, it stands out for being a very active dog.
It has a short, smooth coat, in shades of brown or tan combined with white, especially on the abdomen and legs. It is not recognized by the FCI, however, the RSCE is considering accepting it, having already made the standard proposal.
4. Ibizan Hound
The Ibicenco podenco, also known as "Ca Eivissenc", is native to the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca. It is a primitive dog that is suspected to have been introduced by the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and even the Romans. It was developed for rabbit hunting without a shotgun, as well as for big game hunting. It measures between 67 and 72 centimeters at the withers and has a prodigious sense of smell.
Regarding the coat, it can be short or long, but always smooth. The color of the coat varies, although the tones fire mixed with white or the brindle distribution of these tones are frequent. It is recognized by the FCI.
5. Andalusian Hound
The podenco andaluz is among the Spanish hunting dog breeds. It is characterized by being of medium height with pointed ears and an elongated snout. As for its coat, there are three clearly differentiated varieties: the sardinian type, which is long and hard, the silky type, which is also long but silky, and the smart type, which is short and fine. The usual colors are tan, white and yellow. It has been recognized by the RSCE since 1992.
6. Handle
The maneto is another breed of Spanish dog used for hunting rabbits, especially due to its sizeoften, short legs and agile body However, it performs better in areas with sparse and low vegetation, since its short limbs make it difficult for it to move in spaces with thick vegetation.
It is native to Andalusia and is characterized by its short fur that appears in shades of sand or light brown. His character is friendly and enjoys exercise. It is only recognized by the RSCE.
7. Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish water dog is a breed native to Cantabria, an area located in the north of Spain, although the largest populations are located to the south, in Andalusia. It is estimated that it descends from the old "Barbet" and for generations it has worked as sheepdog and collection dog, being, therefore, one of the breeds of sheepdogs most popular Spanish.
Measures between 40 and 50 cm. at the withers and has an abundant, curly coat with a woolly consistency. They can be solid white, black or brown in different shades. They can also be bicolor, combining the colors mentioned. The breed standard is recognized by the FCI.
8. Spanish Hound
The Spanish hound is a dog whose origins date back to the 14th century, at which time it was used for hunting large and small game, including wild boar, foxes, roe deer, deer, wolves and bears. It appears in the "Libro de la Montería" by King Alfonso XI and other classical authors. We are talking about a medium-sized dog with a short coat and a sad look. It measures between 48 and 57 cm. tall at the withers and its coat is white and orange , although sometimes it can be white and lemon or white and tan. It is recognized by the FCI.
9. Navarrese Pachón
El pachón navarro is a large sample dog, which usually reaches 60 cm at the withers and weighs approximately 30 kilograms. It has a active character, shows floppy ears and a short, tight, smooth coat. Generally, the coat combines white and orange, but it can also have brown tones. It is recognized by the RSCE.
10. Burgos Pointer
The Burgos retriever is a breed that stands out as sample dogDeveloped in Castilla y León. It stands out for being a strong dog, very obedient and especially calm. It is large in size, reaching between 59 and 67 cm at the withers, with thick, smooth and short hair, generally white and liver This breed is recognized by the FCI.
eleven. Andalusian wine buzzard
The Andalusian winery buzzard is a breed native to Andalusia, where it was developed for the eviction of plagues of mice that hid in horse stables and cellars, hence its name. Likewise, it was also frequently used for rabbit and hare hunting It is a medium-sized, athletic and compact dog. It has short white fur on almost the entire body, except for the head, where a black mask with reddish eyebrows appears. The breed is recognized by the RSCE.
12. Valencian Buzzard
The Valencian buzzard, also known as the "gos rater valencià", is a Spanish terrier-type breed originating in the Valencian Community. It was developed primarily to stop mouse infestations on plantations, farms, and horse stables. It is a breed of small size, but athletic, muscular and agile. The color of the coat presents different shades, among which the most common is the tricolor, a mixture of black, tan and white. It is only recognized by the RSCE.
13. Majorcan Buzzard
The Majorcan buzzard, also known as "Ca Rater", is one of the Spanish dog breeds endemic to the Balearic Islands. The buzzard is characterized by a stylized but compact body with strong legs. The hair is smooth and short, showing colors black and amber-brown, in addition to the combination of both in the same specimen.
Although the breed has historical references from the beginning of the 20th century, it was not until 2002 that the standard was first registered. It is recognized by the "Club Espanyol de Ca Rater Mallorquí".
14. Spanish Alano
El Alano español is one of the most popular Spanish dogs on the peninsula. Formerly, it was a dog used for big game hunting, as well as for guarding and protection of homes and properties. This dog, a mastiff-type molosser, has a short brown or tan coat, with white spots on the abdomen. They also highlight the folds in the face. It is a large size dog, which can reach 60 centimeters at the withers and weigh approximately 40 kilograms.
Despite its popularity, it is not recognized by the FCI, but by the RSCE.
fifteen. Pyrenean Mastiff
The Pyrenean Mastiff is a high mountain dog of Spanish origin. It has been widely used for guarding and defense, formerly to protect herds from the presence of wolves and bears. We are talking about an affectionate, noble, brave and very active dog. It can reach a considerable height, always exceeding 72 cm. at the withers in females and 77 cm. at the withers in males. It is recognized by the FCI.
16. Spanish Mastiff
The Spanish Mastiff is a herding dog native to the rural areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Its origins are uncertain, but its presence became established in the country between the middle of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century It has a robust body with some folds in the area of the neck and under the jaw. Its coat is woolly and thick, it has a more common yellow coloration, but there are also dogs with black and brown coats. It is recognized by the FCI.
17. Presa canario
The presa canario is the national symbol of the Island of Gran Canaria. We are talking about a particularly ancient Spanish breed, with a noble and faithful character, of the Moslosoid type. It is large in size, reaching between 56 and 66 cm. to the cross The breed was on the verge of extinction. It is recognized by the FCI.
18. Majorcan Mastiff
The Mallorquin Mastiff, also known as "Ca de Bou", is a molossoid-type breed with a sociable, obedient and calm character.. It is of medium size, reaching between 52 and 58 cm at the withers. In this Spanish dog all colors are accepted. As for color patterns, it can be fawn or brindle. It is recognized by the FCI.
19. Catalan Sheepdog
The Catalan Shepherd Dog, better known as "gos d'atura Català", is a native of Catalonia. However, its origins go back to Asia, from where they came to Europe after the invasions. However, the breed as it is known today was recognized around 1919. It is characterized by having a long and straight coat, although sometimes slightly wavy. The shades vary from black to light brown with white areas. It is a breed of calm character. It is recognized by the FCI.
twenty. Majorero
The majorero is a breed of Spanish dog from the Canary Islands. It is a good watchdog and breeder, functions that it still fulfills today. The breed is medium sized with a moderately muscular body, but with slender legs. The coat varies, but black and yellowish brown with spots stand out.
twenty-one. Garafiano shepherd dog
The garafiano shepherd dog is a breed of dog native to the Canary Islands, considered a good guard dog due to its protective nature and faithful. In its beginnings, however, it was used as a herding dog. The Garafiano shepherd dog is a medium-sized dog with abundant and smooth fur. It weighs around 30 kilos and has two pointed ears and an elongated snout. The coat color is light brown or fawn.
It is recognized by the "Spanish Association of the Garafiano Shepherd Dog".
22. Leonese Shepherd
The Leonian shepherd, also popularized as the Aqueda dog, is another of the Spanish dog breeds on our list. We are talking about a shepherd dog with an active, intelligent and alert personality. He has a medium and compact body with semi-drooping ears and an elongated snout. As for its coloration, it presents a mixture of black on the back with reddish, brown and yellow tones on the chest, legs, abdomen and some areas of the head.
It is not recognized by any organization, although a standard has been proposed for its acceptance to the RSCE.
23. Basque Shepherd
The Basque shepherd, also known as "Euskal Artzain Txakurra" is a breed native to the Basque Country, where it was used to herd sheep and cattle. Thanks to this, it is a dog with an attentive, vigilant and intelligent character. The Basque Pasture Dog is characterized by being medium-sized with drooping ears. The coat is semi-long and smooth, it is presented in brown tones on the back and legs, while the abdomen is white or cream. It is recognized by the RSCE.
24. Majorcan Shepherd Dog
The Majorcan shepherd dog, also known as "Ca de Bestiar", is developed in Mallorca, Balearic Islands. It stands out for its unmistakable black coat and for its herding skills, since it is a Spanish sheepdog capable of herding all kinds of animals, including cattle and birds. It is large in size, being able to measure between 62 and 73 cm. to the cross It is recognized by the FCI.
25. Can de Palleiro
The Palleiro dog is a breed native to Galicia. It is a large-sized breed developed for grazing, as it can reach 60 or 62 cm. to the cross It has light brown, black and dark brown fur. It is only recognized by the Can de Palleiro Club.
26. Villain of the Incarnations
We close the list of Spanish dog breeds with the villain of the Encartaciones, a breed originating from Vizcaya, formerly used for hunting big game. We are talking about a medium-sized dog, compact structure and powerful jaw. The coat can be more or less dark, with black, gray and tawny layers. It can measure between 55 and 63 cm. at the withers and there is no average weight.
It is only recognized by the "Club Nacional Del Villano De Las Encartaciones".
