Villano de Las Encartaciones

Also called Enkarterriko Billano, Villanu

Rare breedShort profile

From Spain (Las Encartaciones / Enkarterri, Biscay, Basque Country)1

At a glance the quick version

Weight28 to 35 kg2

Height, male57 to 60 cm1

Height, female55 to 57 cm1

Lifespan10 to 12 years2

Sizelarge

Petplan gives 28–35 kg without separating the sexes; it also gives an overall height of 55–63 cm.

brave

balanced

loyal and obedient

Coat and looks how to spot one

short hard coat

A strong, athletic working dog with a straight, dense and close-lying coat about 1 to 3 cm long.1

Coloursbrindle fawn (pale to dark)1

Personality what they are like

A courageous yet steady dog that is devoted to its family and responds well to training and early socialisation.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A working cattle dog that needs daily exercise plus mental tasks such as training games.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat only needs regular brushing, plus routine nail and ear care.2

Home where they are happiest

Suited to homes with space and an active lifestyle; traditionally kept on mountain farms.2 1

The story where it all began

The Villano was developed in the hills of Las Encartaciones to handle the semi-wild Monchina cattle, bringing them down from high pastures in autumn. Farmers once used a smaller driving dog alongside a larger catch dog, and from the 1960s crossed the two to create one dog able to do both jobs. A breed club formed in 1997 and the Basque Government recognised the breed in 2001.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Its history is closely tied to the Monchina, a semi-feral Basque cattle breed.1
2
The dogs traditionally help bring cattle down from mountain pastures between October and December.1
3
It is one of five dog breeds officially recognised as traditional Basque breeds.3

Recognised by the official bits

Basque Government: Recognised as a traditional Basque breed by decree in 20011
Spanish Government: Added to the official list of Spanish breeds in 20051
Real Sociedad Canina de España (RSCE): Not officially recognised; listed among Spanish breeds in recovery1

How many Fewer than 200 dogs in the stud-book1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Villano de Las Encartaciones. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year

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Alano Español

Villanuco de Las Encartaciones

Basque Shepherd Dog

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

Wikipedia: Villano de Las Encartaciones en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, recognition, height, coat, colour, numbers
Petplan Spain: Villano de Las Encartaciones petplan.esused for weight, lifespan, temperament, care
Wikipedia: Villanuco de Las Encartaciones en.wikipedia.orgused for five Basque breeds fact

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.