Askal

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Term for street dogs in the Philippines

title: "Askal" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["dog-breeds-originating-in-the-philippines", "animal-breeds-originating-in-the-philippines", "mixed-breed-dogs", "mammals-of-the-philippines", "street-dogs", "tagalog-words-and-phrases"] description: "Term for street dogs in the Philippines" topic_path: "geography/philippines" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Askal" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Term for street dogs in the Philippines ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox Dogbreed"]

FieldValue
nameAskal
altnameAyam
Aspin
country
imageAskal (aspin) dog Masinloc, Zambales.jpg
image_captionAn off-leash pet female askal
notrecognizedyes
::

| name = Askal | altname = Ayam Aspin | nickname = | country = | image = Askal (aspin) dog Masinloc, Zambales.jpg | image_caption = An off-leash pet female askal |maleweight = |femaleweight = |maleheight = |femaleheight = |coat = |color = |litter_size = |life_span = |note = |notrecognized = yes}} Askal (portmanteau of asong kalye, meaning "street dog"), also called aspin (portmanteau of asong Pinoy, meaning "Filipino dog"), refers to the diverse population of mongrel free-ranging dogs found in the Philippines.

The term "askal" is a neologism from the Filipino language and is commonly used as a derogatory term for describing stray or mixed-breed dogs that roam the streets of urban and rural areas across the country. It is considered to reflect class discrimination in the country, particularly towards indigenous elements.

The origins of askals can be traced back to two main categories. Firstly, some askals are entirely descended from indigenous dog breeds that have evolved over time in the Philippines. These native breeds have adapted to the local environment and exhibit a range of physical characteristics and temperaments. These dogs have played an integral role in the lives of Filipinos, serving as loyal companions, guardians, and even working animals.

Askals often display a unique blend of characteristics from various ancestral backgrounds. This diversity contributes to their distinct appearance, temperament, and adaptability. They are highly adaptable and resilient dogs, capable of surviving in challenging conditions. They possess a remarkable ability to navigate the urban landscape and survive on scraps and leftovers. Their resourcefulness, intelligence, and innate street-smarts have earned them the nickname "asong kalye," reflecting their association with the streets.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to celebrate and protect the cultural heritage represented by askals. Various organizations and animal welfare groups are working towards providing medical care, shelter, and adoption opportunities for stray and abandoned dogs. Additionally, initiatives have been launched to educate the public about responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering programs, vaccinations, and proper training.

Names

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/3070Bagbag,_Novaliches,_District_28,_Quezon_City.jpg" caption="A stray askal in Metro Manila."] ::

By the late 20th century, dogs commonly seen wandering the streets were called "askal", a Tagalog-derived portmanteau of asong kalye, which literally means street dog. In 2007, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) suggested the alternative term "aspin", short for asong Pinoy (Pinoy dog) to avoid the stigma associated with the term "askal".

In Cebuano, dogs are called irong Bisaya, which literally means "Visayan dog" or "native dog", implying that these are not thought of as a mixed-breed dog so much as unbred mongrels with no purebred ancestors. This is only from a Visayan point of view since irong Bisaya does not differ in character or physical appearance from the other askals found in the Philippines. Physically, the dogs have "all shapes, configurations and sizes."

Appearance

Aspins do not have clear lineages that contributed to what they look like today because they are bred from a diversity of mutts and mixed breeds that are roaming around Filipino streets. However, they have characteristics that distinctively identify them.

The coat can be short haired or rough. Coat colors ranges from black, brown, white, ginger, brindle, gray, cream, and red merle. Spots are commonly found at the base of the tail and at the back in semi-circular fashion. The snout sometimes appears black if the coat color is brown. The tail is usually held high and the ears can be floppy, semi-floppy or fully pointing upwards. The bone structure of a native Askal is on the medium range, never heavy as with the Rottweilers.

Interactions with humans

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/An_Aspin_dog_leashed_in_a_residential_house_in_Taguig.jpg" caption="A male aspin dog with a leash on."] ::

Askals is the Filipino word often used to refer to stray mixed-breed, indigenous dogs. According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, there are over twelve million strays in the Philippines . Many consider it a problem because these dogs can go without much food or shelter their entire lives. The term "askals" can also refer to a domesticated, indigenous mixed-breed dog. They have been raised traditionally as guard dogs. They are naturally suspicious of strangers, independent and protective of family members. They are good to young children as companions, due to their devotion to family members.

They are trusted by their owners to roam markets or the neighborhood to socialize with other dogs which is why some domesticated dogs are seen by the Western people as stray dogs when in fact they may not be. They are, however, expected to be home before dusk, especially males who always look for females in heat. Female dogs do usually stay home and are excellent watch dogs.

Askals were allowed to compete in the First Philippine Dog Agility Championships in 2013. At the 2015 Pet Express Doggie Run in Pasay, askals were the featured dog. The dogs featured in an essay by Gilda Cordero-Fernando. Askals have been trained by the Coast Guard to identify bombs and drugs by scent.

Notable askals

In popular culture

The Philippines national football team are nicknamed "Azkals", after the dog.

This is also referenced in a satirical educational institution and Internet meme named the "International State College of the Philippines" as 'Blue Aspins'

Philippine Forest Dog or "Aso Ng Gubat”

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Philippine_Forest_Dog1.jpg" caption="Philippine Forest Dog ("Asong Gubat”)"] ::

Main article: Philippine Forest Dog

The Philippine Canine Club, Inc. formally introduced the Philippine Forest Dog or "Aso Ng Gubat", (i.e. Irog, Mayumi and Mutya) in the Philippine Circuit Show 2024 (January 17–21, 2024), Asia's biggest Dog show at the Araneta Coliseum. The Club "hoped it will be the first dog breed from the Philippines that will be recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale." "The Aso Ng Gubat is a primitive breed that has been formed through natural selection by its interaction with the environment so it's a purebred as compared to the Aspin or Askal which is a mongrel, and it has been living with indigenous Filipinos such as the Aetas and Negritos in the country's forests way before the Spaniards arrived," PCCI Corporate Secretary Fred Salud said.

Notes

References

References

  1. (18 August 2023). "From Pest to Pet: How One Word Transformed Our Classist Attitudes Towards Dogs".
  2. "The Askal or Aspin Dog Breed: From Street Dog to Beloved Pet".
  3. (2022-04-28). "What Is an Askal Dog? Breed, Trainability, & Other Essential Facts - PawsGeek".
  4. (18 August 2021). "August 18 is National Aspin Day". GMA Network, Inc..
  5. (18 August 2007). "‘Askal’ is out, ‘aspin’ is in". Philstar Global Corp..
  6. "Irong 'bisaya' magamit sa bomb sniffing". [[GMA Network.
  7. Alya B. Honasan. (May 15, 2012). "In praise of the 'asong Pinoy'". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
  8. "A Guide to Aspins, the Philippines’ Native Dogs".
  9. (October 26, 2023). "Solon seeks to address rising cases of animal abandonment". [[Philippine News Agency]].
  10. Jose Santino S. Bunachita. (May 25, 2013). "askal to compete in national dog show". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
  11. Jujemay G. Awit. (May 26, 2013). "From 5 cities, canines come to bow, wow in Philippine Dog Agility Association". Sun.Star.
  12. Melissa G. Bagamasbad. (March 17, 2015). "Pet Express Doggie Run 2015: 'askals' shine and get second chances at life".
  13. Ventura, Sylvia Mendez. (2005). "A Literary Journey with Gilda Cordero-Fernando". UP Press.
  14. Non Alquitran. (January 27, 2015). "20 bomb-sniffing dogs from US to secure APEC meet". The Philippine Star.
  15. Campbell, Jeff>. (October 7, 2014). "Daisy to the Rescue: True Stories of Daring Dogs, Paramedic Parrots, and Other Animal Heroes". Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
  16. (October 9, 2012). "PHL's hero dog Kabang soon to undergo $20,000 facial surgery in US". GMA News Online.
  17. "Viral dog Buboy gone soon after master's death (June 2019)".
  18. "Dog found swimming 130 miles off the coast of Thailand (April 2019)". CNN.
  19. Lao, Edward. (October 2025). "Philippine United: First Pinoy soccer team in UK".
  20. "Happy National Aspin day! Meet Charge... - Kuya Kim Atienza".
  21. LLemit, Kathleen. (January 2, 2024). "'Asong Gubat,' more canines at return of Philippine Circuit dog show".
  22. Ragasa, Faith. (February 2, 2023). "'Asong Gubat': PH group seeks int'l recognition of pure Filipino dog breed".
  23. LLemit, Kathleen. (January 16, 2024). "Meet Irog, Mayumi and Mutya: 'Asong Gubat' appears at 2023 Philippine Circuit Dog Show".

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dog-breeds-originating-in-the-philippinesanimal-breeds-originating-in-the-philippinesmixed-breed-dogsmammals-of-the-philippinesstreet-dogstagalog-words-and-phrases