Alaunt

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Medieval alum as a hunting and shepherd dog

As Alaunt the representative of a nearly extinct was hunting breed called. This grim white variety of mastiffs, which appeared in many varieties in the Middle Ages, is said to have descended from the war dogs of the Alans . The Alans from the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea were considered to be experienced in the targeted breeding and training of horses and dogs. The animals originally used by the Alans as shepherds or herd guard dogs had light, short hair and were similar to today's Caucasian shepherds and Central Asian shepherds . In the 5th century the dogs arrived in the course of the great migrationtogether with the Alans on the Iberian Peninsula and were used in the Middle Ages to hunt wild boar, bears and other wild animals. The Spanish Alano and probably also the British mastiff and the American pit bull may have descended from these dogs.

The Portuguese city of Alenquer , founded by Alanen , still has an Alaunt in its coat of arms.

literature

  • Charles E. Hare: The language of sport. Country life limited, London 1939, p. 34.

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