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Breed Characteristics
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Perro de Presa Canario
| Other Names | Canary Catch Dog, Canarian Molosser, Presa Canario, Dogo Canario, Canary Dog |
| Nicknames | Presa |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
| Weight | 80 - 100 lbs. and above (36 - 45 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 21 - 25 in. (55 - 65 cm) |
| Coat | The coat is short with no undercoating and slightly coarse to the touch. |
| Colour | The coat comes in all shades of fawn and brindle. The acceptance of the black coat is a point of contention among fanciers, as it is allowed by the AKC-FSS, UKC and UPPCC standards, but not by the FCI or FCI standards. White is allowed up to 20 percent and is most commonly found on the chest and feet, and occasionally on a blaze on the muzzle. The breed standard requires black pigmentation and dogs should have a black mask that does not extend above the eyes. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 8 - 12 years. |
| Origin & History | The history of the Perro de Presa Canario can be traced back to the Roman empire. The breed originated in ancient Rome during 43-89 AD, for example, dogs fought alongside the Romans and the British in the Roman Conquest of Britain. In this war, the Romans used a breed that originated from Greece called Molossus; the Britons used broad-mouth Mastiffs, which were thought to descend from the Molossus bloodline and which also originated from Greece. Though the British were outnumbered and ultimately lost this war, the Romans were so impressed with the mastiffs that they began to import these dogs for use in the Colosseum, as well as for use in times of war. While spectators watched, the imported mastiffs were pitted against animals such as wild elephants, lions, bears, bulls, and gladiators. Later the Romans breed the mastiffs with the Molossus and other dogs, the dogs used in the process were generally hunters,guards & fighters. This ended in the formation of a dog which was very impressive, strong, bold & steady. Later the Romans exported these dogs to Spain for dog fighting, big game hunting, guarding & baiting. The Romans exported many different breeds of dogs generally for the purpose of dog fighting, big game hunting, guarding & baiting, etc. The Romans also exported bulldogs and terriers. |
| Personality | The Presa is a docile, affectionate dog. They are great family protectors and are bred to be family companions as well as guardians. They are distrustful of strangers, but should accept strangers if the owner accepts them. They should be very alert and ready to defend the owner or property if necessary. It is generally a quiet breed but has a very intimidating bark. This breed requires an owner who understands the alpha nature of canines. No member of the family can be uncomfortable around the dog. Canaries make outstanding guard dogs. Just their appearance is a deterrent, not to mention their ability to confront any intruder. As with all guardian type dogs early socialization and obedience training are a must. Occasionally you will have some dog aggression in the Presa Canario, but with proper socialization and training this is the exception and not the rule. The Presa Canario competes and does well in many conformation, obedience, iron dogs, agility, dock diving, schutzhund and other working trials. Many are raised with other dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles. Owners must take their dogs for daily pack walks to satisfy their migration instincts. The dog must not walk in front of the human who is holding the lead, as the pack leader goes first. The dog must walk beside or behind the human. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. |
Care Requirements
| Health | As a large breed, the Presa Canario can be susceptible to hip dysplasia. Other reported health problems include dilated cardiomyopathy- heart problems and mast-cell tumours - cancer patellar luxation and patellar evulsions, skin cysts, epilepsy, osteochondrodysplasias, demodectic mange and cryptorchidism and Canine leishmaniasis. The latter condition is described empirically as highly likely to affect dogs in areas of Spain and academically described as having increased over 22 years prior to 2006, with risk being highest for dogs that were older, large, lived outside, and lived at the meso-Mediterranean level. |
| Grooming | The short, rough coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush and wipe over with a piece of toweling or chamois for a gleaming finish. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | This breed needs to be taken on a daily, long walk. Do not allow this dog to walk out in front of the handler while out on a walk. Pack leader goes first and the Presa must understand that all humans are above him in the pecking order. The Presa will thrive if given a job to do. |
| Other Considerations | The Presa Canario will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. Importation and sale of the breed is prohibited in Australia and New Zealand. |
