Aspin, short for ‘Asong Pinoy’ (Philippine Dog). This is what we, Filipinos, now call the native dogs of our country.
We used to call them ‘askal’, short for ‘asong kalye’ (street dog). It was because we see most of them often roaming free in the streets anywhere in the country, whether the dog is owned by someone or not. But because the connotation of the word ‘askal’ is demeaning, animal rights advocates all over the country worked together to change this and give the native Filipino dog breed a name that best suits its amazingly impressive nature.
Although the native dogs of the Philippines are a blend of various breeds, it is unclear who their true ancestors are. But Aspins have distinguishing traits that make them easy to recognize.
The recognizable traits of Aspins
According to the entry “Aspin” on the Dog Breed Info website, even though many of these dogs have significantly different appearances, there are some traits that are typically the same. The article describes them having medium-sized bodies, short coats that come in a range of colors, and typically more coarsely textured fur. These dogs usually have a coat that is either brindled, white, brown, black, or has any color of patches. Their snouts are commonly medium to lengthy, and they are known to keep their heads high. Their ears can be either pointed or floppy.
According to the same page, Aspins are renowned for being incredibly nice and loving to all individuals. They get along well with kids and are peaceful and joyful. Because they are so low maintenance and entertaining to be around, this breed doesn’t really have any drawbacks.
How to care for an Aspin
As long as they receive regular activity, aspins, a medium-sized dog, would thrive in either a home or an apartment. These canines don’t need a lot of exercise. They are happy and pleased as long as they are taken for daily walks or given permission to explore outside. These canines are frequently observed to wander the neighborhood and streets by themselves and are able to locate their homes after dusk. They don’t need much supervision because they are quite street smart.
An Aspin’s health and lifespan
The life expectancy of Aspins, as the website claims, ranges from 10-14 years. When a female Aspin gets pregnant, she usually gives birth to 4-6 puppies. And in terms of grooming, since most of them have short coats and do not shed a lot often, they do well with just once to twice a month of bath. That is if they are treated regularly for ticks and fleas.
In the Island Rescue Organization, Inc. (IROI) article, “What is an Aspin?” says, it is noteworthy to note that some veterinarians believe Aspins have a stronger immune system against various diseases since they have gone so long without receiving vaccinations, albeit there is no evidence to support this. Although, from my personal experience with my own Aspins, I can attest to this pronouncement. Our dogs contracted a severe illness a year ago that took the life of three of our pups. The symptoms of the said ailment were similar to that of the dreaded ‘parvo’. We barely had funds to have all of the infected pups be treated by the vet. So, those who showed continuous good enough appetite despite their weak dispositions, we researched and made our own herbal medicine for them. We also tried energy healing for the ailing dogs. Lastly, we prayed to St. Francis for healing. It was truly a difficult time but glad to say, they survived and now, all of them are in good health.
The genetic make-up of Aspins
In terms of health, IROI also says Aspins can also take pride in having a unique genetic composition known as “hybrid vigor.” As a result, Aspins are a mixed breed, and as such, their genetic makeup is composed of genes from a variety of gene pools.
The recessive genes that might “carry” health issues are essentially eliminated when there are two or more distinct genetic “sets” in the gene pool. Usually better health results in fewer visits to the vet and (perhaps) a longer life! Aspins, a mixed-breed dog, are likely to live longer than purebred dogs, according to research conducted in the US and Europe as the IROI claims. In comparison to certain purebred dogs, mixed-breed animals may also have more “balanced” temperaments. While it is impossible to say that all dogs of a particular breed will undoubtedly have a particular temperament, some breed features are typically present in dogs to some degree. Due to their lack of breed-specific genetics, Aspins, like other mixed breed animals, have less “extreme” temperaments. Aspins are known for their loyalty and are frequently kept as guard dogs to warn owners of outsiders approaching the house because of this.
The heroic trait of Aspins
A number of Aspin dogs are renowned for their bravery, and these dogs exhibit the mixed breed’s devotion to people, according to Dog Breeds FAQ. One of the most well-known is Kabang, who stopped a motorcycle from running over two little children. Unfortunately, upon being rescued, Kabang lost his snout. Buboy, another Aspin, was incredibly devoted to his owner despite the fact that the person had passed away a few days earlier. He is the Filipino version of ‘Hachiko’ of Japan. Sadly, Buboy was killed when he was struck by a car one day. Roy, an Aspin dog who assisted in a search and rescue effort after a landslide in 2016, was another Aspin who rose to fame in the Philippines.
According to Yazhmin Malajito’s article, “Why AFP puts ‘aspin’ over ‘imported breeds’ for K-9 dogs,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also recognized Aspins as a superior breed for K-9 duty over imported canines because of their endurance and weather tolerance.
There are many other local stories of heroism of Aspins but did not reach the social media to be known enough by the public. Stories of family owned Aspins fighting off cobras found inside houses and ultimately sacrificing their lives to save their human families is a usual tale you will hear in the countryside.
One thing is clear: if this is not loyalty and intelligence displayed in canines in its finest, I don’t know what is.
About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She is a solo parent for 15 years now because she is wife to a desaparecido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.