Dog breed

Villano de las Encartaciones

Origin: Spain

Also known as: Villano de carranza

The Villano de Las Encartaciones is a Spanish breed of large working dog from the region of Las Encartaciones in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country; it is found also in Álava, in eastern Cantabria and in northern Burgos. The traditional use of the dogs is in management of cattle of the Monchina breed of Cantabria and the País Vasco, and particularly to assist with bringing the cattle down from the mountain pastures between October and December. In 2009 there were fewer than 200 dogs registered in the stud-book.