Spanish Dog Breeds That Might Interest You

Dogs are our best friends, with over 471 million dogs kept as pets all around the world, according to FMCG. This is because dogs and humans share a special bond and mutual support, and dogs are known for their loyalty and their ability to make people happy. Spain is a popular birthplace for many awesome dogs, from hunting dogs and terriers to herding dogs. In this article, you will learn all about the most interesting Spanish breeds for all you dog lovers to consider!

Ibizan Dogs

Ibizan dogs, also known as Ibizan hounds, have huge, tall, spare-shaped ears. Along with red or white coat colors and camel eyes; they are said to be “deer-like”. They are unique gazehounds or sighthounds that hunt by speed and eyesight, rather than by scent. Their origin is the Balearic Islands, eastern Spain. However, Ibizan hounds have a great history; their ancestry can be traced back to ancient Egypt 3100 years B.C, as they were a common theme in Egyptian art. The Ibizan dog hunts hares and rabbits and is usually calm and far from hot-tempered with humans. Their calmness makes them good family dogs in households. Their average life span is 10-12 years.

Presa Canario

The Presa Canario is a thick 22-26 inch dog breed that has an attentive appearance. It is tall and has a unique square-shaped face with a large jaw. Presa Canarios’ origin is the Gran Canaria Island in Spain, where they first appeared in the 1600s, but are said to have existed in another form thousands of years before that time. Some people also refer to them as Canary Mastiffs. They are guard dogs, traditionally used to protect cattle and livestock, as they have high prey drive, awareness, and physical ability. When you visit this page you will find out all about this distinctive breed that has been increasing in popularity recently. Presa Canarios are moderately large and strong, making them very ferocious when it comes to protecting their friends. However, they have to be trained from a young age to regulate their aggression and be respectful. When trained they can become:

• Very friendly
• Family-oriented
• Docile 
• Sociable
• Tough guardians 

They need to be handled with care and caution to not trigger their aggressive tendencies. They also need to be kept active and exercise regularly to reduce the chances of heart issues.

Northeast Spain Breed

The Northeast Spain breed is the Catalan Sheepdog, which is quite rare outside their home country. They have long coats, especially on their backs, that keep their body temperatures high, as they are often found in mountainous regions like the chilly Pyrenean mountains. They have pretty expressive, round eyes, triangular ears, as well as short necks, and broad chests. It is said that Catalan Sheepdogs were trained as messengers during the Spanish Civil War and the World War. Catalan Sheepdogs are smart, driven, and love staying outdoors. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, however you need to be cautious of their tendency to chase. 

Galgo

The Spanish Galgos is a recognizable breed in Spain, also called the Spanish greyhound. However, they are different from greyhounds; the greyhounds are larger in size and have a different temperament. The Spanish Galgos have been used for hunting since thousands of years ago as they are fast, agile, and have stamina. Sadly, the Spanish Galgos hunter owners treat them with extreme cruelty and neglect. This special breed can even face death at the hands of the hunters. People are starting to step in to save the Galgos across Spain, by adopting them and taking them home. They can be wonderful pets despite being hunters and runners; they like to curl up on sofas with their family and be couch potatoes. Since they love to be calm, they would make excellent family pets. 

Water Dogs

Spanish Water Dogs are exceptionally divergent; they have wooly, curly coats that make them so adorable. Their breed was used as farm dogs to herd and catch vermin. They have webbed feet as well, which acts as a waterproof layer and makes them good swimmers. People used to take them on fishing boats because of their swimming abilities. Their traits also include:

• Vigilance 
• Wariness of strangers 
• Stubbornness 
• Intelligence
• Highly active

There are numerous breeds that are native to Spain, and people never get tired of learning all about them. As you can see, it’s no wonder why these Spanish dog breeds are extraordinary and will interest any dog enthusiast. Dogs bring joy to our lives and provide us with a special kind of therapy. We don’t know about you, but we could never resist these heartwarming creatures’ twinkling eyes and their silky coats.