A Guide On The Perro de Presa Canario: A Dog You Will Easily Fall In Love With
An uncommon but devoted breed of dog, the Perro de Presa Canario flourishes best in the company of a doting family. Discover what sharing your home with these enormous dogs is like and why they’re frequently misunderstood.
The Perro de Presa Canario, sometimes known as “the Canary dog,” is a breed of dog that originated in Spain’s Canary Islands.
He is a courageous canine that adores his family and is incredibly devoted to being by their side. Those who have owned a Presa Canario can witness that no other breed of dog is more affectionate and dedicated to its owner.
However, this large-sized breed is rather uncommon in the United States.
Because of the Presa Canario’s relative lack of popularity in the United States, the breed is frequently confused with the American pit bull terrier.
And just like the pit bull, he has a hard time overcoming the common assumptions about him and the poor reputation he has earned due to years of owners mistreating their pets and contributing to the spread of negative news stories.
When properly socialized as a young pup and taught using methods that emphasize positive reinforcement, the Presa Canario will mature into a loving adult dog, just like any other dog breed.
“We are so committed to enlightening people regarding the nature of this breed.
The Presa is not a terrible, vicious, or violent dog in any way “Epiphany Ramos, who serves as the secretary for the Presa Canario Club of America, explains.
“He truly is a very pleasant dog who is focused on his family, yet he’s also quite powerful.”
History Of The Presa Canario
The Presa Canario is an excellent choice for a guard dog due to its frightening appearance and heightened awareness. Historically, this breed was utilized for herding cattle.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Canary Islands were conquered, larger dogs played a very important role in saving farms and cattle, working cattle, and even getting rid of wild or stray dogs.
This breed of dog, which is also known as the “Canary Dog of Prey,” is said to have originated during this period.
The Presa Canario could be traced back to the cattle breed known as the Iberian Presa (Perro de Ganado Majorero), which was a mastiff breed of about the same size and was known for its perceptive guarding abilities.
Several other breeds, including the Presa Espanol and the Bardino Majorero, a sheepdog that originated on the island of Fuerteventura, may have been involved in the Presa Canario. In particular, the Presa Espanol was likely involved.
These island dogs eventually branched off into their distinct breeds, and one of those breeds, the Presa Canario, became famous for its intelligence, bravery, and physical resistance, in addition to its ability to give off natural guardian instincts even when it wasn’t necessary for it to bark excessively.
These dogs were also frequently bred to compete in dogfights, which should not come as a surprise.
Dog fighting was made illegal throughout the islands in the 1940s, but it was known to continue throughout the following decade.
During this time, the Presa Canario population began to decline due to the introduction of alternative fighting breeds such as the Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, and German Shepherd.
It was nearly responsible for the extinction of the Presa Canario breed, which was reduced to being kept in limited numbers as the primary guard dog by farmers and herders.
Fortunately, during the 1970s, respected breeders successfully produced Presa Canarios which was not only large and bold but also functional with acute watchdog instincts, a headstrong, courageous temperament, and a fiercely territorial character.
In 1982, a group of breeders from the island of Tenerife came together to establish an organization to assist in the resurrection of the Presa Canario breed.
This was the beginning of the full recovery of the Presa Canario breed. The breed has been chosen to represent the island of Gran Canaria as the official animal emblem.
Since 1996, this information has been kept in the Foundation Stock Service records.
The Canarian Presa has been banned from entry into several nations on account of its aggressive territorial instincts. Although the American Kennel Club does not officially recognize the breed, it is legal to own the animal in the United States.
However, they are permitted to participate in AKC companion competitions because they have been approved by the AKC Foundation Stock Service, which offers a safe repository for the organization’s records and approves the dogs for participation.
Appearance Perro de Presa Canario
The Presa Canario has a powerful head and a muscular body, giving it the appearance of being quite impressive at first glance.
He has the best characteristics of a Molossoid mastiff dog, including the ability to remain calm and attentive when at ease, yet to become agile and swift as soon as he starts moving.
His frame is large; he normally stands between 22 and 26 inches tall and can easily weigh up to 100 pounds or more. His height ranges from 22 to 26 inches.
His short coat (which is easy to manage) can come in various colors of fawn, brown, and brindle patterns. His coat is easy to maintain.
His brown eyes are keen observers, and one of his most distinguishing features is the pink tongue that frequently protrudes from the folds of his huge jowls.
When something gets Presa Canario’s attention, his entire body will become alert, with his ears perked up and his tail elevated in anticipation of whatever catches his eye.
Although the Presa Canario is a robust breed of dog, he is also quite affectionate and devoted to his family despite his intimidating appearance.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Working Group
HEIGHT: 22 to 26 inches
WEIGHT: 84 to 110 pounds
COAT: Short and coarse
COAT COLOR: Seen in brown/black, fawn, or brindle; occasionally with white markings
LIFE SPAN: 9 to 11 years
TEMPERAMENT: Calm, gentle, stubborn, alert, bold, stubborn
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: Spain
Temperament Perro de Presa Canario
The Presa Canario maintains a vigilant watch over his household with a watchful look.
If your Presa Canario is adequately trained from the time he is a young puppy, he has the potential to develop into a loving companion that possesses an unrivaled work ethic.
He is self-assured and can have a strong will at times. When Ramos traveled to the Canary Islands with a group of other people who were passionate about the Presa Canario breed to get knowledge from Spain’s breed specialists, she fell in love with the Presa Canario.
During her time there, she had the opportunity to observe how capable the Presa Canario was off working as a sporting dog and how loving and devoted the breed is to its owners.
“Simply put, we have become completely enamored with the breed. I had no idea that a dog could have these qualities—the majesty of the breed, the willingness to watch over its family, and the affection it has for children and other pets “Ramos adds.
“We wanted as many individuals as possible who would be a good fit for the dog to have the opportunity to experience what this breed was all about,” said the breeders.
Because of his background, which is intertwined with dog fighting in Spain, the temperament of the Presa Canario is frequently misinterpreted in the United States (which is now illegal). But when functioning at his highest level, the Presa Canario is peaceful and cordial in his contacts.
According to Jason Baum, the president of the Presa Canario Club of America, the Presa Canario can be fantastic with children and families, and he’ll willingly curl up with his loved ones for a nap if given the opportunity.
“People are amazed by how loving the Presa Canario is,” adds Baum. “The Presa Canario has a really good reputation.” “The dog will never be more than a few inches away from your feet.
When you get up to grab a sip of water, the dog will always be there with you, even though he will be sleeping in the room with you. They won’t ever turn their back on you.”
Personality Perro de Presa Canario
If you ask someone who has a Perro de Presa Canario, they will most likely tell you how independent the dog is and how much they admire that trait in him.
Because the breed possesses a powerful will and enjoys taking charge of situations, you must have previous experience training large dogs to get the most out of this particular breed.
Training should also continue throughout the dog’s life; otherwise, you may experience problems with leadership and find yourself cohabitating with a dog that has the propensity to behave aggressively.
The Perro de Presa Canario has the potential to be an excellent guard dog if they are socialized appropriately and with success. Around the people in their life, the Perro de Presa Canario may also exhibit the more laid-back aspects of their personality.
Be aware that adopting a Perro de Presa Canario requires a significant time investment in the dog’s training and care; as a result, you should first ensure that your current living arrangement and family dynamics are suitable for a dog of this breed.
Care Of Perro de Presa Canario
Because of its origins as a working dog breed, the Perro de Presa Canario requires considerable daily physical activity.
Aim to give the dog at least an hour’s worth of exercise daily; incorporating training into the sessions will ensure that the dog is mentally and physically fulfilled.
It is crucial to point out that because of the dog’s size and strength, it should be supervised for extended periods, even if you have access to a fenced-in yard. This warning applies even if the dog is inside the house.
In addition to these requirements, the Presa Canario requires regular dental cleanings and nail trims.
You should give your Perro de Presa Canario’s teeth a good brushing at least twice or thrice a week to prevent tartar buildup and the bacteria it attracts. The better option is daily.
Once a month, check the nails of your Perro de Presa Canario and determine if they need to be clipped. However, suppose a Perro de Presa Canario can spend adequate time outside.
In that case, it is a significant possibility that the dog’s nails will maintain a healthy state. Also, make sure that you inspect the dog’s ears to see if there is any evidence of dirt or debris that may have accumulated there.
Feeding Perro de Presa Canario
A diet suitable for a Perro de Presa Canario should be designed for a large breed of dog with a high activity level.
If the Perro de Presa Canario does not receive a significant amount of daily exercise, the breed has the propensity to put on excess weight.
If you want your Perro de Presa Canario to remain in good form, you should measure their food and only feed them twice per day rather than leave food out for them at all times.
As is the case with all other breeds of dog, the nutritional requirements of a Perro de Presa Canario puppy will shift as it grows into an adult and continues to do so well into its golden years.
Because there is a large amount of individual diversity among dogs, including weight, energy level, and health, it is impossible to offer a precise prescription regarding your dog’s diet. Instead, you should consult your veterinarian for your dog’s diet recommendations.
Exercise For Perro de Presa Canario
This high-energy breed will require regular exercise, which may be fun in the great outdoors or many daily walks.
They are eager to please their owner and have a high level of trainability to learn new tricks and indoor activities such as hide-and-seek.
Because of its strong, muscular build and athletic prowess, the Presa Canario can participate in more strenuous outdoor activities such as swimming, trekking, and retrieving balls or flying discs.
Grooming Perro de Presa Canario
It is necessary to give the Perro de Presa Canario an occasional bath to maintain the cleanliness of its short coat.
Still, due to the dog’s tendency to shed, more frequent maintenance and brushing may be required. This breed also has nails that grow quickly and are very strong.
Therefore they will need to have their nails clipped often with a nail grinder or clipper.
A routine examination of the dog’s ears should be performed consistently, and the animal’s teeth should be brushed consistently.
Training Perro de Presa Canario
These dogs have the potential to be obedient, affectionate, and calm, but only if they receive the appropriate training from knowledgeable owners.
They are driven by a strong innate desire to attack anything that could be perceived as a danger to them.
The Presa Canario breed requires extensive socialization and obedience training, beginning when they are puppies and continuing into adulthood. They will react best to consistent and fair instruction and set clear boundaries.
Living Needs For Perro de Presa Canario
For the Presa Canario to survive, he requires an owner who is dedicated to him, high-quality exercise, and time spent with his family.
He is not the kind of dog that will be content being left alone for long periods to occupy his own time.
If such things are present in his life, he will be able to find contentment pretty much everywhere, from a cramped city flat to a sprawling country estate.
Whether they are camping in the woods or swimming at the beach, it doesn’t matter to him; he adores spending time with his family.
After a hard day, he is happy to unwind with his family and take a nap at your feet. This is his ideal way to unwind after a stressful day.
According to Ramos, “They are genuinely eager to be among their folks because it is in their habit to do so.” “They look for members of their group in order to receive love, attention, and reassurance.
They are a breed known for their high levels of affection. They give the impression of being tough and may behave coldly toward strangers, but within their own family they are extremely affectionate.”
Even if he is devoted to his human family members, a Presa Canario often enjoys the company of only one other canine companion.
It is vital to remember that Presa Canarios have a high prey drive, so sharing a home with cats may be stressful for everyone concerned. Some Presa Canarios can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with cats.
You must start your Presa Canario off on the right paw by enrolling him in obedience school when he is still a puppy.
Because the Presa Canario is not naturally friendly toward strangers, it is of the utmost importance that he receives adequate socialization while he is young so that he can feel at ease in the company of new people.
According to Ramos, “the dog is not going to have any success if it does not receive obedience training or quality socialization while it is a small puppy.”
“And they continue to have that requirement all throughout their lives. He is not the kind of dog that will be happy to do nothing more than lie on your lap and cuddle all day long. [He] does need outlets for participation.”
Health Of Perro de Presa Canario
The Presa Canario is a breed of dog that, on average, has good health and a lifespan between 9 and 12 years.
The Presa Canario Club of America advises owners to keep an eye out for potential issues with the hips and elbows of their dogs, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
Apart from that, these dogs do not have an increased risk of developing any serious health problems. Tossie strongly advises new owners of Presas to keep a close eye on their pet’s weight throughout the first few years of their dog’s existence.
This allows the dog’s hips the opportunity to mature fully before they are subjected to an excessive amount of stress. Even though a fully grown Presa Canario can weigh up to 100 pounds, this breed still grows throughout the first two or three years of its life.
Tossie explains that providing their bodies with the time necessary to mature is important. For example, they shouldn’t weigh 100 pounds when they’re only 10 months old because their bodies have yet to develop fully.
Tossie believes that the myth that a Presa Canario will drool all over the home because of his enormous head and jowls is exaggerated.
However, owners may believe this since their dog has a large head and jowls.
Even though the Presa Canario has been known to make a mess around the water bowl or get overly excited when it detects the aroma of a steak, the dog does not drool for no reason.
Tossie notes that the behavior truly differs from canine to canine. “Because they have jowls, do they experience excessive drooling after drinking water? Yes. However, the affected area is relatively confined to a circumference of four feet around the water bowl.”
Other Animals And Children With Perro de Presa Canario
It is not advisable to bring a Perro de Presa Canario into a home if there are children under the age of 10.
Because of the breed’s strength, power, and tendency to seek to dominate the situations in which it finds itself, aggressive behavior may be displayed.
Additionally, the Presa Canario should not be brought into a home with other domestic pets on the smaller side. This is because of their drive to hunt prey.
In the end, early socialization is crucial for dogs of this breed. Always remember to praise your Perro de Presa Canario when he exhibits appropriate behavior, and stick to the training routine laid out for him.
Questions People Also Ask: (FAQs)
Is A Presa Canario An Excellent Family Dog?
Presa Canarios are renowned for their powerful protective drive. As a breed, they are recognized for their high levels of intelligence as well as their ability to be easily trained.
The Presa Canario has the potential to develop into a devoted family pet and an exemplary member of the canine community if given sufficient opportunities for socialization and training.
Is A Presa Canario A Fighting Dog?
In the Canary Islands, where the Presa Canario originated, it was initially developed for fighting, guarding, and even some light herding.
In the 1950s, the breed was on the verge of extinction, but it was brought back thanks to crossbreeding with mastiffs and other dog breeds.
Is A Presa Canario A Cane Corso?
The Cane Corso and the Presa Canario breeds are descendants of the original Presa Canario. As a result, the Cane Corso and the Presa Canario are extremely comparable in size and build.
On the other hand, every giant dog breed has its own set of distinguishing qualities that set it apart from the others of its kind.
Is A Presa Canario A Pitbull?
Because of the striking similarities between the Presa and the Pitbull in practically every aspect of their appearances, the two breeds are sometimes confused with one another.
The weight range of the Presa Canario is between 85 and 130 pounds, whereas the weight range of the Pitbull is between 30 and 65 pounds. This means that the Presa Canario can be exactly double the weight of the Pitbull.
Is A Presa Canario A Breed that Tends To Be Aggressive?
In the 1800s, English settlers brought over mastiffs and old-style bulldogs that bred with the Canario, which resulted in the creation of the Perro de Presa Canario. The Canario is a hybrid between bulldogs, mastiffs, and native canines.
Because of this, the resulting canines were extremely robust, muscular, and had massive bones; they were utilized for fighting up until 1940 when the practice of dog fighting was made illegal.
What Are The Two Breeds That Made Up The Presa Canario?
The Presa Canario could be traced back to Spain, specifically to the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). It is speculated that the Majorero, a dog native to these islands, may have mated with other molossoids brought to the Canary Islands later.
Are Presa Canarios Dogs Aggressive?
On the other hand, they have a deep-seated mistrust of people they do not know. This, together with their terrifying deep-toned bark, natural instinct to protect their owners, and sheer size, often encourages people to choose them as guard dogs. The majority do not tend to be hostile by nature.
How Much Does A Presa Canario Cost?
A Presa Canario puppy from reputable breeders will cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500. On the other hand, a Presa Canario of show quality might range anywhere from $5,000 to $7,500.
Age, gender, and even looks can all play a part in determining the price of something. As can be seen, the price tag associated with the Presa Canario is very imposing.
Can A Presa And A Cane Corso Have Puppies Together?
The Cane Corso Presa Canario hybrid is a beautiful dog for the right person since it is affectionate, clever, frightening, and powerful all at the same time.
The most difficult aspect of teaching him is learning to control his aggressive tendencies, high prey drive, and stubbornness. If you are successful in doing so, this friendly dog will be an excellent addition to your family as a new pet.
Is Presa Canario Good For First-time Owners?
In contrast to other breeds of dogs, such as Huskies or Shiba Inus, which aren’t recommended for first-time owners due to their high level of activity and restlessness, Presa Canarios aren’t recommended for a different set of reasons, specifically because of the rigorous training requirements they have.
Training is required throughout a Presa’s existence, beginning when they are quite young (three weeks).
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