Breeds
Spanish Dog Breeds
There are 23 Spanish dog breeds, according to the Real Sociedad Canina de España (RSCE). Some federations recognize up to 40, but not all of them are native to Spain, while several breeds registered by the RSCE still aren't part of the FCI standard.
In this article you'll find the names of these breeds along with some of their physical and character traits. Interested in adopting a Spanish dog? Let's go.
Majorca Shepherd Dog
This breed is also called the Ca de Bestiar. It's native to Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands. It stands 73 cm at the withers and is known for its glossy, short, black coat. This canine variety herds livestock and poultry.
Catalan Sheepdog
Catalan Sheepdog
This breed is bred in Catalonia, where it's called the Gos d'Atura Català, though its origins trace back to Asia, from where it was brought during invasions. It's known for its long, woolly coat that reaches down to the eyes, plus its gentle temperament. The Catalan Sheepdog's coat can be chestnut or black, solid or with black patches.
Majorero
The Majorero comes from the Canary Islands, where it was and still is used as a livestock guard dog. It's a medium-sized breed with thin legs and a muscular body. The coat is short and the ears drooping. The coat color is a combination of black with light patches.
Basque Shepherd Dog
Basque Shepherd Dog
This breed is native to the Basque Country, where it's called the Euskal Artzain Txakurra. It's a good guard dog, having been used since ancient times as a sheepherder. It's medium-sized with a friendly look, along with upright ears. The coat comes in chestnut or fawn tones with white on the belly and legs.
Garafiano Shepherd Dog
Garafiano Shepherd Dogs
The Garafiano Shepherd comes from the Canary Islands, where it herds sheep. It's also a medium-sized breed, with a smooth, abundant coat, especially on the tail. Its ears are pointed and the muzzle elongated, making it easy to recognize. The coat is chestnut or fawn.
Leonese Shepherd Dog
Another of the Spanish shepherd breeds is the Leonese, for which there's a proposal to establish the breed standard with the RSCE. It's known for its patched coat, a combination of black and white with yellow and reddish areas. It also has a long muzzle and drooping ears.
Spanish Mastiff
Spanish Mastiff
The Spanish Mastiff was recognized in 1982, though its ancestors can be traced back to the 19th century. It's a Spanish shepherd breed from rural areas, where it was used to look after livestock. It has a strong body with folds on the neck and a woolly coat, in black, chestnut, or yellow.
Pyrenean Mastiff
Among the Spanish Mastiff breeds, the Pyrenean Mastiff stands out, a molosser variety common in the high mountains. It's loyal and brave, and will make an excellent guard dog for you. The coat is abundant and woolly, in shades of white, cream, and light chestnut, with a black mask around the eyes, ears, and nose.
Ca de Bou
The Ca de Bou is a Spanish dog recognized since 1996. Like outdoor activities? This dog's active, alert personality is ideal for you. The Ca de Bou is a molosser type, so its body is solid and muscular, with semi-drooping ears and a short coat.
Presa Canario
Presa Canario
This breed comes from the island of Gran Canaria, and its origins are ancient, though the breed standard wasn't accepted until 2011. It's considered a livestock herding and guard dog. It stands out for its compact, strong body, with drooping ears and a short muzzle. The coat varies between black with patches or yellow with a black mask around the eyes.
Spanish Alano
Among the Spanish hunting dog breeds, the Alano stands out, used to chase down large game, as well as being a good guard dog. The Spanish Alano is a mastiff-type molosser — you'll recognize it by its muscular, compact body, along with drooping ears and a short muzzle. The coat is black with reddish patches.
Andalusian Rat Hunting Dog
Andalusian Rat Hunting Dog
Did you know there are dogs bred to hunt rats? The Andalusian Rat Hunting Dog (Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz) is one of them; in the past, it was very useful for getting rid of these small mammals in horse stables. It also hunted rabbits. It's a medium-sized, athletic dog, with a lean build. Its coat is white with a black-and-reddish mask on the head, from the muzzle to the neck.
Valencian Ratter
This Spanish Terrier breed is native to Valencia, where it's called the Gos Rater Valencià. It was also used to hunt rodents, being one of the small Spanish dog breeds. You'll recognize a Valencian Ratter by its small, lean size, elongated muzzle, and pointed ears. The coat is white on the chest, belly, and legs, with black patches on the back and a mask on the muzzle, eyes, and ears.
Canary Podenco
The Canary Podenco is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it was traditionally used to hunt rabbits. It's an attentive dog, with excellent vision and sense of smell. It has a lean, agile body, short coat, and pointed ears. The coat develops in a reddish-chestnut shade with white or cream patches.
Ibizan Podenco
The Ibizan comes from Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Menorca, where it developed as a rabbit-hunting breed. It's also known as the Ca Eivissenc, and you'll easily recognize it by its sleek body, long tail, and pointed ears. The coat comes in a reddish shade, either solid or with white patches.
Andalusian Podenco
The Andalusian is another of the medium-sized Spanish dog breeds. Its appearance is charming, since its long, fine coat makes it an attractive dog. The coat can be chestnut or yellow, paired with pointed ears and muzzle.
Maneto
The Maneto was originally bred to hunt rabbits, but today it's a small Spanish breed ideal if you live in an apartment. It's native to Andalusia and its look stands out for its short legs. The coat is short, in sand or reddish-chestnut colors.
Valencian Podenco
The Valencian, like the Maneto, was used to hunt rabbits, but today it's an excellent companion if you enjoy outdoor sports. Its temperament is friendly and active. It's not yet accepted by the RSCE, but the proposed breed standard describes a long coat combining white with reddish-chestnut tones.
Spanish Hound
When it comes to hunting dog breeds, the Spanish Hound performed this job as early as the 14th century, when it handled both large and small game. It's a medium-sized dog with drooping ears and a mournful gaze. The coat is short and comes in two-color combinations: white and reddish, white and cream, or white and orange.
Burgos Pointer
This variety is a pointing dog native to Castile, where it was also used to hunt small game and track. It has a calm temperament, but is imposing when needed. Its muzzle is long and wide, paired with thin, drooping ears. The coat is a patched combination of white and black.
Pachón Navarro
Pachón Navarro
The Navarro is a pointing and small-game hunting dog. It weighs up to 30 kilos and enjoys activities like running and jogging — it'll be your ideal companion if you enjoy these pastimes. The ears are drooping and the coat is a combination of white with reddish patches.
Spanish Water Dog
This is the only Spanish Water Dog breed recognized by the RSCE. It comes from Cantabria and Andalusia, where it was used as a herding dog. Its look is friendly, reinforced by drooping ears and an abundant curly coat. Coat colors are: white, black, and brown, either solid or in a two-tone combination.
Spanish Galgo
The Spanish Galgo is an ancient breed, with records of its existence dating back to the 2nd century BC. It's also the only Spanish Galgo breed recognized by the RSCE. It's a fast dog used for racing, known for its sleek, elegant look. The coat is short and comes in various shades: white, red, chestnut, and black, alone or in combination.
IMPORTANT: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary, nutritional or behavioural advice. Every dog is different, and only your trusted vet can advise you on its specific needs.