Gran Mastino de Borinquen (Puerto Rican Mastiff)

Photos courtesy of Hector Manuel de la Cruz Y Romero

The Gran Mastin de Borinquen or Puerto Rican Mastiff is the only breed native to the island, being an amalgamation of native island dogs and various alaunt breeds brought and employed by the Spanish Conquistadores as aid and defense dogs, first of themselves from natives and then of their cattle, farms and family; as well as attack dogs against the island natives. The infamous Becerillo was said to be a member of this breed, however, this can never be determined. 'Becerillo's origins are obscure, but it seems almost certain that he was born in the New World, perhaps in the kennels of Ponce de Leon ...' A Dog's History in America, by Mark Derr   The Gran Mastin de Borinquen has served the function as a cattle, farm and family guardian since it's inception and today is rarely found. Recovery efforts for the breed began during the 1970's.

"From a type used at one time by the Spanish Conquistadores to enforce a reign of terror in Latin America and subsequently as boar-hounds, cattle dogs and farm guards, these were (and still are), huge animals, up to 28 inches at the shoulder, but those used for fighting were much smaller and lighter." Mastiffs, The Big Game Hunters  

"Again in June of 1585 a despatch boat out of Seville warned Cuba that enemy vessels had left England for an unknown destination. The Spanish were convinced that the English planned to make a settlement in the new world. English traders had come ashore on Porto Rico and actually built a rough fort there to protect themselves while they cut timber and acquired by barter provisions of all sorts, horses, cattle, dogs, birds and negroes; when they departed they left "a writing" in then: abandoned fort which was presumed to be a communication to those who should come after them. In September after this episode Menendez Marquez reported ten English sail seen off Florida going north. The conviction grew that the intention was to establish a base there. In July, 1585, stirred by Seville's warning, a caravel was despatched from Havana to Spain conveying "what certain news" was known in Cuba "as to the English who have come to these parts." They had indeed made a settlement, under Sir Richard Grenville and Ralph Lane, in a land they named Virginia after their queen but which to the Spaniards was still Florida." The Early History of Cuba 1491-1586, by Irene Wright. 1916