Spanish Dog Breeds

The Spanish Greyhound stands out among all of the greyhound breeds for its stylized appearance and, unfortunately, for the serious abuse it currently suffers in Spain. Hundreds of greyhounds are abandoned and slaughtered annually and this occurs at the end of the hunting season or when they are no longer useful for greyhound racing. The Spanish greyhound is also considered one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.

The origins of the Spanish Greyhound date back to second century BCE. Like other dog breeds, over time it has undergone incredible changes. It’s noticeable for its stylized, thin and strong body. In addition, it has a short and smooth coat that can appear in different shades, such as dark or light brown, black, white and reddish.

Spanish greyhound care should focus on walks, sufficient exercise, rest and coat care, especially in cold climates. The Spanish greyhound is recognized by the FCI.

Also known as the Canary Island Hound, the Podenco Canario is a dog breed endemic to the Spanish Canary Islands and was traditionally used for rabbit hunting. This dog breed has an excellent sense of smell, vision and hearing.

It forms part of the large Spanish dog breeds, reaching between 53 and 60 cm at the withers. The Podenco Canario is recognizable by its pointy ears and tight plain coat which intense red in color with some white patches. The Canary Island Hound is recognized by the FCI and the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

Also known as the Gos Coniller or Xarnego Valenciano, the Podenco Valenciano is originally from the region of Valencia. This Spanish dog breed was originally used for rabbit hunting and currently stands out for being an incredibly active dog.

Like the Podenco Canario, this breed is characterized by its fiery red in color can that presents white patches, especially on the abdomen and legs. Unlike the former, this breed has a frilled coat in certain areas. This dog breed is not recognized by the FCI, however, the Spanish Royal Canine Society has made a standard proposal that was only recently accepted.

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The Ibizan Hound is native to the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca. It is considered a primitive dog breed suspected of being introduced by the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Romans. This breed was originally developed for rabbit and game hunting. Known for its prodigious nose, it also measures between 67 and 72 cm at the withers.

The Ibizan Hound has a smooth coat that can be short or long. It also has the fiery tones of the previous dogs mixed with white patches. It is recognized by the FCI.

The Podenco Andaluz or the Andalusian hound is one of the most well-known Spanish hunting dog breeds. It is characterized by its medium stature with pointed ears and an elongated snout. Its semi-long and somewhat wooly coat is light chestnut or yellow in color. The Podenco Andaluz has been recognized by the Spanish Royal Canine Society since 1992.

The Manteno is a breed which is derived directly from the Podenco Andaluz. They were bred with other dogs to create a very short Spanish dog breed which is similar to a cross between an Andalusian Hound and a Dachshund. Another Spanish hunting dog breed, their small stature made them ideal for catching small game such as rabbits and rodents.

Despite their small size, these dogs are characterized by an agile body. They perform better as hunting dogs in areas with sparse and low vegetation due to their little legs. Native to Andalusia, this dog is both friendly and active. It is recognized by the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

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Native to Cantabria in the north of Spain, the Spanish Water Dog can also be found in Andalusia. It is said that they are a descendant of the old Barbet dog, a rare type of French water dog breed. The Spanish Water Dog is known as a popular Spanish shepherd dog breed.

This medium-sized Spanish dog breed measures between 40 and 50 cm at the withers and carries an abundant, curly and woolly coat. The breed standard is recognized by the FCI. For more about this lovely dog breed, we recommend reading our article where we discuss everything you need to know about caring for a Spanish water dog’s coat.

Known in its native land as the Sabueso Español, the Spanish Hound is a dog breed whose origins date back to the fourteenth century, when it was used for hunting both large and small animals. This medium-sized dog breed has a short coat and somewhat sad facial expression. It measures between 48 and 57 cm at the withers. As with other Spanish dogs, this breed looks like a Podenco mixed with another dog, this time they resemble a Beagle.

The Pachón Navarro is a large Spanish hunting dog breed which usually reaches 60 cm at the withers and weighs approximately 30 kg. It is active dog breed with drooping ears that are reminiscent of a Bloodhound. Their coat is short, tight and smooth. This Large Spanish dog breed is recognized by the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

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Also known as the Burgalese Pointer or Perdiguero de Burgo, the Burgos Pointer was developed in Castilla y León. It stands out for being a strong, obedient and especially quiet dog breed. It forms part of the large Spanish dog breeds list, reaching between 59 and 67 cm at the withers. They are very intelligent. Not only do they respond well to training, they need it to maintain a balanced character.

Known is Spain as the Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, the Andalusian Terrier if often considered the Spanish version of the Jack Russel Terrier. It was first developed in Andalusia to chase mice from barns and warehouses. This medium Spanish dog breed was also used to hunt rabbits and hares. This dog breed is both athletic and compact, carrying a short white coat on almost its entire body, except for the head. The breed is recognized by the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

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Another type os Spanish Terrier breed, the Valencian Terrier is also known as the Gos Rater Valenci or Ratonero Valenciano. This one somewhat resembles the Prague Ratter. It was developed to rid plantations, farms and stables of rats and mice. It is an athletic, muscular, agile and small Spanish dog breed. The color of the coat can be different colors, but is commonly black, white and tan as depicted in the photo below. It is only recognized only by the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

Another ratter-type Spanish dog, the Majorca Ratter is also known as the Ca Rater Mallorquí or Ratonero Mallorquin. It is endemic to the Balearic Islands. The Majorca Ratter is characterized by a stylized, but compact body with strong legs. Its coat is smooth and short, as well as black and tan in color. This is similar to breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher. It is recognized by the Club Espanyol de Ca Rater Mallorquí.

Also known as the Alano Español, the Spanish Bulldog is one of the most popular large Spanish dog breeds. This breed of Molosser-type dog was formerly used to hunt big game and to guard and protects homes and properties. This large Spanish dog breed can reach 60 cm at the withers and 40 kg in weight. They have a short coat which has a brindle pattern in various tones. Despite its popularity, it is not recognized by the FCI, but is listed by the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

Also known as the Mastín del Pirineo, the Pyrenean Mastiff is a mountain dog of Spanish origin. It has been used for guarding and defense, traditionally to protect herds from the presence of wolves and bears. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a loving, noble, courageous and very active Spanish dog breed. It can reach a considerable height, exceeding 72 cm at the withers and has a shaggy coat. It is recognized by the FCI.

Another Mastiff-type breed, the Spanish mastiff orMastín Español is a shepherd dog native to the rural Iberian Peninsula. Its origins are uncertain, but its presence was strengthened in the country between the mid-nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The Spanish Mastiff is characterized by its robust body and woolly dense coat of yellowish coloration. It is recognized by the FCI.

For more about this large Spanish dog breed, we recommend reading our article where we discuss the differences between the English, French and Spanish Mastiffs.

The Presa Canario, also known as the Canary Mastiff and, previously, the Dogo Canario, is a national symbol of the Canary Islands. This is an extremely ancient dog breed, known for its noble and faithful character. The Presa Canario is a big Spanish dog breed which can reaching between 56 and 66 cm at the withers. Sadly, although this breed is recognized by the FCI, it is in danger of extinction.

For more about this large Spanish dog breed, we recommend reading our breed file where we discuss everything you need to know about the Canary Mastiff.

The Perro de Presa Mallorquin, also known as Ca de Bou is a Molosser-type dog breed with a sociable, obedient and calm nature. It is medium in size, reaching between 52 and 58 cm at the withers and is recognized by the FCI.

The Catalan sheepdog, better known as Gos d'atura Català or the Pastor catalán, is the shaggiest Spanish dog breed. Native to Catalonia, its origins date back to Asia. This fluffy Spanish dog breed was officially recognized around 1919. It is characterized by its long and straight coat of varying shades. This calm dog breed is recognized by the FCI.

The Majorero dog or Perro Majorero is a Spanish cattle dog breed from the Canary Islands. This Spanish dog breed is medium in size and is known for its great guardian skills, especially in protecting livestock. Its coat color varies, but black and yellow chestnut are the most common.

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The Pastor garafiano or Garafian Shepherd is a Spanish shepherd dog breed also from the Canary Islands and is considered a great watchdog. This Spanish dog breed is known for its protective, faithful character and abundantly smooth fur. It is also characterized for its elongated snout and pointed ears. It is recognized by the Asociación Española Perro Pastor Garafiano.

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Known as the Carea Leonés, the Leonese Sheepdog is a Spanish shepherd dog breed known for its active, intelligent and alert personality. It carries a medium and compact body with semi-erect ears and an elongated snout. It is not recognized by any organization, although a standard of this bred has been proposed to the Spanish Royal Canine Society.

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Known as Euskal Artzain Txakurra in Basque or the Perro de Pastor Vasco in Spanish, the Basque Shepherd Dog is a Basque dog breed. Originally used to shepherd sheep and cattle, it is an attentive, vigilant and intelligent Spanish dog breed. The Basque shepherd dog is characterized by a its medium size and drooping ears. It carries a semi-long and smooth coat, commonly light brown in color. It is recognized by the RSCE.

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Known as Ca de Bestiar in Catalan and the Perro de Pastor Mallorquín in Spanish, it is a domesticated dog breed from Mallorca. This Spanish shepherd dog stands out for its unmistakable black cloak. It is large in size and can measure between 62 and 73 cm at the withers. The Majorca Shepherd dog is recognized by the FCI.

The Can de Palleiro is also known as the Galician Shepherd dog. Perhaos unsurprisingly, it is originally from Galicia. This Galician dog breed was originally developed for gracing and can reach 60 or 62 cm at the withers. It is currently recognized by the Club Can de Palleiro.

Ending our extensive Spanish dog breeds list, we present the Villano de Las Encartaciones. The Villano Dog is originally from Vizcaya and was formerly used for big game hunting. This medium sized Spanish dog breed is characterized by its compact body structure and powerful jaw. It can measure between 55 and 63 cm at the withers. It is currently only recognized by the Club Nacional Del Villano De Las Encartaciones.

For more about Spanish dog breeds, we recommend reading our article about potentially dangerous dogs in Spain.

If you want to read similar articles to Spanish Dog Breeds, we recommend you visit our Comparisons category.