Spain is home to a lot of dog breeds which are famous all over the world. The dog breeds who have their origin in Spain are lovely pets as well as hunting and herding dogs. While Spain is renowned for a lot of things, some Spanish dog breeds are not found anywhere in the English speaking countries.
This article contains the top five Spanish dog breeds out of which some are restricted to the country of Spain only.
1) Spanish Mastiff
| Weight | Male: 90–100 kgs Female: 52-77 kgs |
| Height | Male: 77–88 cms Female: 72–88 cms |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
| Color | Black, Brindle, Fawn, Wolf-Sable, Yellow, Red |
Description
This is a vast and powerful dog. They have a large head, small eyes, drop ears while the face holds a serious and vigilant expression at all times. Spanish Mastiffs are less noisy, but when they bark, it is deep and quite intimidating. This breed has been named as “the national dog breed of Spain.”
Temperament
- Affectionate
- Intelligent
- Self-assured
- Determined
- Noble
2) Catalan Sheepdog
| Weight | Male: 20−25 kgs Female: 17–21 kgs |
| Height | Male: 47−55 cms Female: 45−53 cms |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Color | fawn, brown more or less reddish, grey and black |
Description
This dog was bred initially as a herding dog and had two varieties, a long-haired dog and a short-haired one out of which, the short-haired dog was one of the rarest on the planet. These are medium-sized, handsome dogs with a long, flat, slightly wavy, abundant undercoat that covers almost the whole body.
Temperament
- Loyal and affectionate
- Highly intelligent
- Excellent Guarding dogs
- Cheerful
- Courageous
3) Spanish Greyhound
| Weight | Male: 27–29 kgs Female: 23–25 kgs |
| Height | Male: Around 66 cms Female: Around 64 cms |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years |
| Color | brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color with a white muzzle. |
Description
These are also known as “Galgo Español” or “Spanish Galgo.” Galgos are smaller, lighter in build, streamlined dogs with a long tail. These are extremely shy and need a lot of socializing to overcome their shy behavior. This breed is to be found in Spain only.
Temperament
- Calm
- Quiet and gentle
- Friendly around cats
- Loving
- Reserved
4) Alano Espanol
| Weight | Male: 30–40 kgs Female: 25–35 kgs |
| Height | Male: 58–63 cms Female: 55–60 cms |
| Life Expectancy | 11 – 14 years |
| Color | Brindle, Fawn, Wolf-Sable, Black & brindle, Yellow, Red |
Description
The Alano Espanol or Spanish Alano is a large, sturdy dog with a well-proportioned body and strong, long legs. These have a short and thick coat. These are dogs who love working and need a lot of daily workouts if kept as pets.
Temperament
- Obedient
- Affectionate
- Patient and Reliable
- Dominant
- Serious
5) Spanish Water Dog
| Weight | Male: 18–22 kgs Female: 14–18 kgs |
| Height | Male: 44–50 cms Female: 40–45 cms |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years |
| Color | solid black, beige, brown, or white; bicolor where the second color is white. |
Description
The Spanish Water Dog is a well proportioned, medium-sized dog with a strong head and a flat skull. This dog is well known for its dreadlocked coat, which helps him to bear dry to humid climates. These dogs enjoy recreational activities such as boating, swimming, or playing in the water.
Temperament
- Diligent
- High energy levels
- Intelligent
- Affectionate
- Loyal
