Presa Canarios are often misunderstood as a breed, with some people believing they're inherently aggressive. However, this isn't necessarily true.
The Presa Canario's origins as a guard dog and working breed have led some to assume they're naturally defensive. In reality, their protective instincts are a result of selective breeding for guarding abilities.
In the right environment and with proper socialization, Presa Canarios can be loving and gentle family pets. They thrive on attention and interaction from their owners.
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Physical Characteristics
The Presa Canario is a large dog breed with a robust body, muscular build, and broad, square head.
Their neck, chest, and legs are especially strong, making them a powerful and athletic breed.
Presa Canarios have a thick, muscular, and robust body, which is longer than it is high, giving them a distinctive appearance.
Their head is broad and round, and their jaw is large and strong, a testament to their powerful build.
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Physical Attributes
The Presa Canario is a large mastiff-type dog breed with a confident and dominant personality.
Their bodies are thick, muscular, and robust, making them a powerful and strong breed.
A broad, square head is a distinctive feature of this breed, setting them apart from others.
The Presa Canario's body is longer than it is high, giving them a unique physical appearance.
Their neck, chest, and legs are especially strong, allowing them to move with ease and confidence.
Their head is broad and round, and the jaw is large and strong, perfect for a dog with a confident and dominant personality.
The Presa Canario comes in several different colors, making each one unique and special in its own way.
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Dog Breed Characteristics
The Canary Mastiff, also known as the Perro De Presa Canario, is a powerful and strong dog breed. Its muscular build is evident in its strong neck, chest, and legs. The breed's body is longer than it is high, giving it a distinctive appearance.
The Perro De Presa Canario's head is broad and round, with a large and strong jaw. This formidable look makes it a great guard dog. With its short, easy-to-care-for coat, this breed is perfect for owners who want a low-maintenance companion.
Here are some key physical characteristics of the Perro De Presa Canario:
- Strong neck, chest, and legs
- Body is longer than it is high
- Broad and round head
- Large and strong jaw
- Short, easy-to-care-for coat
This breed is known for its massive size, which means it takes up a lot of room. If you're considering bringing a Perro De Presa Canario into your home, make sure you have enough space for it to move around comfortably.
Temperament and Training
Presa Canarios are naturally dominant dogs and need to be trained properly from a young age.
They are highly intelligent and quick learners, responding well to positive reinforcement, but early socialization is a must to expose them to different sounds, sights, people, animals, and other dogs.
Presa Canarios have a high prey drive and are naturally territorial, with protective instincts that make them defend their people and property.
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They are devoted and affectionate dogs, but can be aggressive if not properly socialized and trained, which is the exception rather than the rule.
Presa Canarios are not the best choice for first-time owners or families with toddlers or younger children due to their massive size and potential to unintentionally hurt or knock over a small child.
With proper training and socialization, Presa Canarios can be great family companions and watchdogs, but it's essential to involve them in different family activities and teach them different skills and activities to keep them engaged and happy.
They love to be close to children when well-trained and meet humans from the puppy stage, but it's crucial to teach children to be calm, gentle, and loving when interacting with them.
Presa Canarios are naturally suspicious of strangers, but they are very devoted to their masters and make excellent friends, especially for farmers and hunters.
They require lots of exercises, daily pack walks, and playtime to keep them entertained and active, which is essential to prevent behavioral problems such as anger and aggression.
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It's essential to impose yourself as an alpha dog and establish a clear hierarchy to ensure your Presa respects you and listens to you.
A durable toy like the KONG Classic Dog Toy is recommended to prevent them from destroying toys with their strong jaws.
Presa Canarios have a migration instinct, which needs to be satisfied through play and physical activities to prevent boredom and behavioral problems.
Care and Health
Presa Canarios are a massive breed, but they can live up to 9-11 years with proper care.
Their lifespan can be shortened by serious health conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and patellar luxation.
Brushing your dog's teeth daily can prevent periodontal disease.
Many diseases and health conditions in Presa Canarios are genetic, meaning they're related to their breed.
Perro De Presa Canarios are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, such as parvo, rabies, and distemper, which are preventable through vaccination.
Care and Exercise
Caring for your Perro De Presa Canario requires attention to their diet, exercise, and overall health.
You should divide their food into 2 to 3 meals a day, and high-quality dog food is a must, whether it's home-prepared or commercially manufactured.
Regular exercise is also crucial, but don't overdo it at first.
Brushing their coat at least weekly will help prevent matting and tangling, and daily brushing of their teeth will prevent periodontal disease.
Their ears should be cleaned weekly, even as a puppy, to prevent infections.
Here's a quick rundown of their routine care:
- Brush their coat at least weekly
- Brush their teeth at least twice a week
- Clean their ears weekly
- Supervise them at all times, especially around other pets and strangers
- Provide a consistent and high-quality diet
- Exercise them regularly, but not too much at first
By following these simple steps, you can help your Perro De Presa Canario live a happy and healthy life.
Health Problems
The Perro de Presa Canario is a breed prone to serious health conditions, despite its average lifespan of 9-11 years.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are common issues in this breed, which can lead to arthritis and mobility problems in older dogs.
Regular veterinary check-ups can help identify potential health issues early on.
Perro de Presa Canarios are also susceptible to epilepsy, a condition that can be inherited and often begins between six months and three years of age.
Daily brushing of your dog's teeth can prevent periodontal disease, a common health issue in dogs.
Bloat, a life-threatening condition, is another potential health risk for Perro de Presa Canarios.
Vaccination can prevent bacterial and viral infections such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.
A well-balanced diet and regular exercise can help prevent obesity, which can exacerbate existing health issues.
Dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, is a potential health risk for Perro de Presa Canarios.
Regular veterinary care and monitoring can help identify and manage these health issues.
Breed and Comparison
The Perro De Presa Canario breed has a rich history, originally bred for guarding livestock in Spain. They were later employed as dog fighters, which is a testament to their tenacity and endurance.
Their massive size means they take up a lot of room, making them less suitable for small living spaces. They are also known to be bold and fearless, which can be intimidating to strangers.
Here are some key characteristics of the Perro De Presa Canario breed:
Overall, the Perro De Presa Canario breed requires a strong pack leader and proper socialization to thrive. Without this, they can become dominant and aggressive.
History
The Presa Canario breed has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins date back to the 15th or 16th century.
The breed was first developed in the Canary Islands, specifically on the island of Tenerife, where a group of breeders formed an association to revive the breed in 1982.
The Presa Canario was created by crossing the Iberian Presa, the Bardino Majorero, and other Hispanic breeds with the English Mastiff. This combination of breeds resulted in a dog with a wide range of duties, including herding cattle, hunting wild boars, and guarding farms.
The breed was originally developed to be fearless, massive, and strong, making it perfect for fighting. However, dog fighting was prohibited in 1940, which led to a significant decline in the breed's numbers.
The introduction of other breeds, such as the German Shepherd, Doberman, and Great Dane, further contributed to the decline of the Presa Canario. The breed's numbers were so low that it was almost extinct by the 1970s.
However, a group of reputable breeders took it upon themselves to reconstruct the breed in the 1970s. They focused on breeding dogs that were massive, vigorous, and functional, with a strong temperament and acute watchdog instinct.
These efforts led to the full recovery of the Presa Canario breed in 1982, when the association was formed on the island of Tenerife. The breed has since been recognized for its unique characteristics and is now sought after by dog fanciers and working dog owners alike.
Is a Pitbull?
People often confuse Pitbulls with other breeds, but let's take a closer look.
The Presa Canario, for instance, is often mistaken for a Pitbull due to their similar appearances.
One key difference is their unique personalities.
The Presa Canario is a distinct breed with its own characteristics, and it's not a Pitbull.
Their appearance is one factor that sets them apart, but it's not the only one.
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Bandog
The Bandog is a breed that originated from England, specifically from a mix of Eastern Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terriers, and Mastiffs crossed with Western Bullenbeissers.
This unique ancestry sets it apart from other breeds, and it's essential to recognize the differences between the Bandog and other breeds like the Presa Canario.
Many people may try to pass off a Bandog as a Presa Canario due to their similar guarding instincts, but that's a mistake.
The Bandog has a distinct history and genetic makeup that makes it a breed in its own right.
Perro De: Unique Breed
The Perro De Presa Canario is a unique breed that's sure to make a statement. Originally bred for guarding livestock in Spain, this powerful dog was later employed in dog fighting, showcasing its tenacity and endurance.
Its formidable look alone makes it a great guard dog, and with proper training, it can be a loyal companion. However, it's essential to remember that this breed requires a strong pack leader to prevent dominance.
One of the most notable characteristics of the Perro De Presa Canario is its massive size, which takes up a lot of room. This, combined with its short, easy-to-care-for coat, makes it a great choice for active owners who can provide the necessary exercise and attention.
Here are some key traits to consider:
- An excellent guard dog, courageous and dependable
- Energetic, active, and athletic
- Has a short, easy-to-care-for coat
- Bold, steady, and fearless
- Devoted, loyal, and protective
However, this breed also comes with some challenges. It can be aggressive toward other animals, and needs early socialization to accept other pets and strangers. Without proper socialization, it may become suspicious and aggressive toward strangers and other dogs.
Breeders
Presa Canario breeders are a crucial part of getting a healthy and well-bred puppy. You should only buy from a reputable breeder, not someone who prioritizes profit over the welfare of dogs.
A reputable breeder will provide you with all the necessary papers from cynological associations, including the parents' information. This ensures you're getting a puppy with the best genetic traits possible.
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Presa Canario puppies can cost up to $2000, so be prepared for a significant investment. You'll also need to factor in the cost of a veterinarian, initial vaccinations, annual boosters, and high-quality food.
Be cautious of "bad" breeders who might try to sell you a Presa mix as a purebred. Always ask to see the parents of the puppies and verify their authenticity.
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Ownership and Care
To keep your Presa Canario safe and happy, it's essential to supervise her as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary.
Presas can be aggressive toward other dogs and suspicious of strangers, so socialization when young is crucial.
A consistent diet is key, so feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age, and avoid giving her people food.
As a Presa owner, you'll need to clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy, to prevent infections.
Regular exercise is vital, but don't overdo it at first – start with gentle activities and gradually increase intensity and duration.
To maintain her beautiful coat, brush it at least weekly, and don't forget to brush her teeth at least twice a week to keep them perfect.
Here are some essential care tasks to remember:
- Brush her coat at least weekly
- Clean her ears weekly
- Brush her teeth at least twice a week
- Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age
- Exercise her regularly, but don't overdo it at first
Overall, with the right care and attention, your Presa Canario can thrive and become a beloved member of your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Presa Canario banned in the US?
Presa Canario is banned in some areas of the US due to breed-specific legislation, but not nationwide. Learn more about the breed's restrictions and safety concerns
Sources
- https://www.realesaletter.com/blog/dog-breeds/presa-canario
- https://medium.com/@muhammadasimkhan89/is-presa-canario-a-good-guard-dog-how-does-presa-canario-behave-with-other-dogs-6095212eecde
- https://worlddogfinder.com/breeds/presa-canario
- https://www.thepethealthclinic.com/client-resources/breed-info/perro-de-presa-canario/
- https://healthcareforpets.net/client-resources/breed-info/perro-de-presa-canario/
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