See Images of Presa Canarios: A Detailed Breed and History Guide

The Presa Canario is a breed that's steeped in history, with origins dating back to the 15th century in the Canary Islands.

This powerful dog was originally bred for guarding and fighting, making them a formidable sight to behold.

Their distinctive appearance is characterized by a muscular build, a short, smooth coat, and a broad head with a distinctive stop.

The Presa Canario has a rich history that spans centuries. The breed originated from the Bardino Majorero, a dog type that was once distributed throughout the Canary Islands.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Presa Canario was used for various tasks such as working cattle, removing stray and wild dogs, and protecting farms. Its intimidating appearance and hyper-awareness make it an ideal guard dog.

The Presa Canario's roots can be traced back to the Iberian Presa, an average-size mastiff breed and intuitive guard dog. Several other breeds, including the Presa Espanol and the Bardino Majorero, also contributed to the formation of the Presa Canario.

Intriguing read: Perro Majorero

By the 1960s, the Presa Canario was close to extinction. Dogfighting was prohibited, and popular foreign breeds like the German Shepherd and Doberman Pinscher had arrived on the islands.

The breed suffered a significant decline in numbers, but fortunately, breeders from Tenerife worked on recovering the Presa Canario starting in 1982. Today, the breed serves as the animal symbol of Gran Canaria.

Here's a brief timeline of the Presa Canario's history:

The Presa Canario is a large dog with a heavy muscular body, typically standing 60-66 cm at the withers and weighing around 50-65 kg.

They have a broad, massive, square, and powerful head shape, with a brachycephalic appearance. If cropped, their ears stand erect, but in countries where ear-cropping is banned, they hang down and are close-fitting to the head.

The Presa Canario's upper lip is pendulous, but not excessively so, and their flews are slightly divergent. The inside of their lips is a dark color, adding to their distinctive appearance.

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Their body is mesomorphic, meaning it's slightly longer than they are tall, which contributes to their feline-like movement. This is also reflected in their cat-like paws and overall movement.

Here's a breakdown of their size and weight:

Their size and weight make them a commanding presence, and they have a firm and vigilant stance, combined with a calm and confident temperament.

The Presa Canario is a medium to large breed, standing between 22 to 26 inches tall. They typically weigh between 84 to 110 pounds.

Their coat color can vary, but you'll often see them in brown, black, fawn, or brindle, with occasional white markings. Their calm and gentle nature makes them a great companion for many families.

The Spanish breed is relatively tall, ranging from 22 to 26 inches in height.

Its weight can vary, but it typically falls between 84 to 110 pounds.

You'll often see this breed in brown/black, fawn, or brindle coat colors, with the occasional white marking.

Its lifespan is relatively short, lasting around 9 to 11 years.

This breed is known for being calm, gentle, stubborn, alert, bold, and stubborn, which can be a bit of a mix to navigate.

Its origin is Spain, which might give you a hint about its history and cultural significance.

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The Perro de Presa Canario is an impressive breed that can be a great match for someone looking for a protective and loyal dog.

These dogs require a lot of your time and effort when it comes to training and exercise.

They are easy to groom, making them a great choice for those who don't want to spend a lot of time on their dog's appearance.

Overall, the Perro de Presa Canario is a breed that demands attention, care, and commitment.

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These dogs can be calm, affectionate, and obedient, but only with the proper training from experienced owners.

Their powerful natural instinct to attack anything that appears to be a threat makes them wary of strangers and protective of their territory.

Early socialization is vital to help them be comfortable around other dogs, as they don't always get along with them.

Intensive socialization and obedience training as puppies and beyond is crucial for the Presa Canario breed.

They respond best to fair, consistent training and clear limits.

Their calm personality makes them ideal for different types of living environments, from homes with yards to large estates in the country.

Here's a summary of their temperament:

They're initially slow to warm up, but once they trust you, they have a gentle and sweet disposition.

With a confident breed like the Presa Canario, you can expect a firm and vigilant stance combined with a calm and confident temperament.

The Perro de Presa Canario's coat is a short one, and it comes in a variety of colors.

The breed's colors include brindle, which is a mix of brown and black stripes.

Blue, or gray, is another color option for the Perro de Presa Canario's coat.

Blond, fawn, and sandy are also possible colors for this breed.

White markings can appear on the chest and toes of a Perro de Presa Canario.

If a mask is present, it should always be black according to the breed standard.