They are everywhere, the street dogs of the Philippines.
As in most developing countries in the world, free-range dogs are a part of the Filipino ecology. Wherever there are humans, there are dogs. While some Filipinos have dogs as house pets, these dogs roam without fences, collars, ID tags, or leashes. Some of these dogs may actually have a human or a home to go to for food and shelter, but many don't and just wander neighborhoods eating scavenged scraps. Most are not neutered or spayed. Some have buddies and run in pairs or small packs, some have a momentary mate or are trying to get one--and lose the annoying third wheel. But most are just hanging out by themselves. In Tagalog, they’re called askals, a combination of aso (dog) and kalye (street), though the politically correct term is aspins (combining words for dog and Pinoy). The Cebuanos call them irong Bisayas, Visayan dogs.
Because of all the cross-breeding, most tend to be medium-sized, short-haired with pointy ears and nose, though these traits, like the colors of their coats, vary too. In temperament, they are most similar: easy-going and chill. Most appear to be quite healthy--no doubt a testament to their richly mixed genetics. Every so often, though, I spot a thin, malnourished aspin, or a sickly one with bare patches of skin. Obviously all could use a routine vet check-up, but most get by.
What I like most about these Pinoy dogs on the street, in the shade on the beach, running down the side of the road, laying on the floor of the local shop, digging in the garbage, is that every single one has a fully realized sense of dog. They are free dogs. There's no cooped-up, anxious barking, no fidgety gait when they walk. No over-fed, under-exercised lethargy in these dogs. They’re scrappy, sometimes tough, sometimes crotchety or adorably old. All are contentedly, completely dog.
Because of all the cross-breeding, most tend to be medium-sized, short-haired with pointy ears and nose, though these traits, like the colors of their coats, vary too. In temperament, they are most similar: easy-going and chill. Most appear to be quite healthy--no doubt a testament to their richly mixed genetics. Every so often, though, I spot a thin, malnourished aspin, or a sickly one with bare patches of skin. Obviously all could use a routine vet check-up, but most get by.
What I like most about these Pinoy dogs on the street, in the shade on the beach, running down the side of the road, laying on the floor of the local shop, digging in the garbage, is that every single one has a fully realized sense of dog. They are free dogs. There's no cooped-up, anxious barking, no fidgety gait when they walk. No over-fed, under-exercised lethargy in these dogs. They’re scrappy, sometimes tough, sometimes crotchety or adorably old. All are contentedly, completely dog.
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