Perro De Presa Canario

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Perro De Presa Canario

Weight
80-130 lb
Lifespan
10-12 years
Group
AKC Foundation Stock Service
Best Suited For
active singles, active families, families with older children, experienced dog owners, guard duty
Temperament
intelligent, protective, active, independent
Comparable Breeds
Mastiff, Cane Corso
Height
21-25 inches
Height
21-25 inches
ADVERTISEMENT

Perro de Presa Canario Basics

When you see the Perro de Presa Canario face-to-face you will probably be impressed with his size and strength. These dogs were developed from mastiff- and bulldog-type breeds, bred for their strength and muscular build. Although the Perro de Presa Canario may look intimidating, they can be calm and obedient with proper training. This breed is definitely not a good choice for inexperienced dog owners, however, because they can be dominant and willful.

Although the Perro de Presa Canario may look intimidating, they can be calm and obedient with proper training.

Origin

The Presa Canario breed is more commonly known as the Perro de Presa Canario, or the Canary Mastiff. This breed is a Molosser-type dog that was originally developed for working with livestock. The Perro de Presa Canario comes from the Canary Islands and its origins can be traced all the way back to the Roman Empire. This breed was developed between 43 and 89 AD, known for fighting alongside the Romans and the British during the Roman Conquest of Britain. Later, the breed came to be known in dog-fighting circles until the 1940s when dog fighting was outlawed.

Pedigree

ADVERTISEMENT

The Perro de Presa Canario was developed from giant Molosser-type dogs as well as various mastiff-type and bulldog-type breeds. After dog fighting was outlawed, the breed was combined with other protective breeds like the German Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher and used for guarding. A sheepdog known as the Bardino Majorero was also added to the bloodline.

Food/Diet

As a large-breed dog, the Perro de Presa Canario should be fed a dog food diet formulated for breeds of its size. If you plan to train your Perro de Presa Canario for some kind of job, you may want to feed him an active or working breed formula. Be sure to choose a dog food made with high-quality ingredients including animal proteins and digestible carbohydrates.

These dogs are headstrong and powerful, so they require a firm and consistent hand in training.

Training

The Perro de Presa Canario is a smart and trainable breed, but it can sometimes be difficult to handle due to its massive size and independent will. These dogs are headstrong and powerful, so they require a firm and consistent hand in training. Early socialization is incredibly important for this breed to keep its aggression and protective nature under control. Throughout its life, the Perro de Presa Canario requires obedience refresher courses and the owner must always maintain a position of dominance over the dog.

Weight

The Perro de Presa Canario stands between 21 and 25 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 80 and 130 pounds on average. This breed has a strong, square and muscular build.

Temperament/Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT

The Perro de Presa Canario is a strong-willed breed that has dominant tendencies. This, combined with the dog’s massive size, can make it a bit challenging to control. When properly socialized and trained, however, this dog can be calm and docile but it will always be a little bit independent. The Perro de Presa Canario is naturally protective and suspicious of strangers, so it makes a good guard dog. It is important to be careful with this breed around cats and other pets because it has a high prey drive and strong territorial instincts.

Common Health Problems

The Perro de Presa Canario is a fairly healthy breed, though it is prone to a number of orthopedic problems due to its massive size. This breed has a high risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, plus it has been known to develop osteochondritis dissecans. Other health problems seen in the Perro de Presa Canario breed include eye problems, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and bloat (also known as gastric dilation volvulus). Responsible breeding practices and DNA testing can reduce the risk for congenital conditions in this breed.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for the Perro de Presa Canario breed is 10 to 12 years which is fairly long for a breed of its size.

Exercise Requirements

The Perro de Presa Canario is a moderately active breed and it does best when given a job to do. A long daily walk will generally satisfy the exercise needs for this breed, though it will also appreciate having some outdoor space to roam and play.

The Perro de Presa Canario is naturally protective and suspicious of strangers, so it makes a good guard dog.

Recognized Clubs

The Perro de Presa Canario is currently part of the Foundation Stock Service for the American Kennel Club, but the breed was recognized by the UKC in 2003.

Coat

The Perro de Presa Canario has a fairly short coat that is easy to maintain with regular brushing. The coat comes in a variety of colors including black, fawn, tan, and brindle or any combination of these colors. The AKC and the UKC accept black coats, but the FCI does not.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Perro de Presa Canario is fairly large, usually 7 to 9 puppies. Puppies of this breed are avid chewers and they grow fairly quickly so they have the potential to do a lot of damage. Early socialization and training is important for this breed.

Photo credit: Marko_Marcello/Bigstock; Eponaleah/Bigstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Study Finds That Classical Music Calms Kennel Dogs

Pump up the tunes. Music soothes the stressed-out beast… or in this case, an anxious pooch. Whoever said “music hath charms to sooth the savage…

Rover Boutique Offers Designer Dog Clothes for Refined Pooches

Some dogs like glitz and bling, other prefer to don a more refined, classic style. And for posh pups that love designer dog clothes, theres Rover Boutique.

Scotch Collie

The Scotch Collie is more commonly known as the Rough Collie or Smooth Collie. This breed also makes a wonderful family pet.

Helping A Child Cope With A Loss Of A Pet

Losing a pet is hard on the whole family, no matter the circumstances. Children are often especially burdened by the loss of a pet as death is hard for them…

Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: Help – My Dog Has Cabin Fever!

Is your dog going stir crazy from being kept indoors during the cold winter months? The Hairy Dogfathers have a few ideas on how to keep sane until spring ar…

Best Dog Training Books

Dog training books can offer invaluable insight into the expertise and experience of various professional trainers and dog behaviorist experts.

SuperZoo 2016 Day 2: KATRIS Lynks Modular Cat Scratchers

The claws came out at SuperZoo when KATRIS unveiled its Lynks Modular Cat Scratchers. These cat scratchers are the cat''s meow!

Show And Tell: Pets In The Classroom Get An A+

Non-profit organization Pets in the Classroom offers grants to help teach students about pets Growing up, my family always had pets as a way to help teach us…

Best Wheelchairs for Dogs

To help you choose the best mobility aid for your four-legged best friend, we''ve rounded up the most popular and best-reviewed wheelchairs for dogs.?

Cat Bringing You Dead Animals as Gifts? Artificial Intelligence Will B

The use of artificial intelligence in the pet industry is slowly but surely gaining more ground: this AI-powered cat flap just proves it.

What You Should Know Before Starting a Dog Boarding Business

Let’s get down to business – starting a dog boarding businessSo, you are considering starting a dog boarding business? Perhaps you’ve learned a lot over the…

How To Administer Medications To Your Cat

Have you ever tried to give a cat medicine? Here’s how to do it safely and effectively. No one ever said that giving a cat medication would be easy, bu…

The Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth for Dogs

A natural alternative for fleas, ticks and other pests and parasites, diatomaceous earth for dogs is a safe and chemical-free treatment for your pooch.

Best Dog Crate Pads

Dog crate pads offer comfort and make the crate more inviting for your pet. Read on to find out which are worth your money!

4 Tips About What To Do When You Find A Lost Dog

There''s nothing more heartbreaking than when a family pet disappears. Here''s what to do if someone''s lost dog has wandered into your care.