The Perro de Presa Canario is an intimidating breed of enormous size and strength. This breed hails from Canary Islands where it was used on farms for watching and protecting livestock and farmer’s property.
It is an imposing and dominant personality; thus it is not for novice or inexperienced dog owner. Through training, the dog can be made obedient and you may never know when their inner beast rises. Thus only strong headed and experienced owners should breed this dog.
Perro de Presa Canario has robust body with heavy bone structure, it is known for its power and endurance. The dog can work tenaciously in field without taking a break. Perro de Presa Canario is listed among dangerous dogs and in many places or countries it is banned. It is advisable to know the law of your place before buying it.
Though the dog is docile with family members but it can be great threat to neighbors or strangers. Many people think, this breed has low exercise need because of heavily buildup body but they forget it is a farm animal that was bred to perform task. Make sure to give the dog responsibility of any productive work else it is waste of his talent.
Perro de Presa Canario Origin
The Canary Mastiff belongs to the era of 15th-16th century. The dog was brought to Canary Island by Spanish traders. Studies have proved that the dog has bloodline of the majorero (native breed of the island), English Bulldogs and Iberian Presa (mastiff type dog breed). Canary Mastiff was used to guard farms, herd cattle and kill wild animals including dogs.
Perro de Presa Canario Characteristics
- The dog belongs to Spain/ Canary Island.
- It was bred to work on farms and was used as guard dog, watchdog and hunting dog.
- The dog is dominant, reserved, strong willed and suspicious.
- The lifespan of this breed is 9 -11 years.
- The height of the dog is 55-65 cm.
- It weighs around 36-45 kg.
- The dog comes in fawn, brindle, black, red fawn, silver fawn and red brindle colors.
- The average price of this breed is $1200 - $3000 USD.
- The dog is suitable for spacious apartment because of its large size. An average sized yard is best for it to live freely.
- It is not a barky breed.
- It is not a suitable breed for kids. Because of their huge size and aggressive nature, they can prove deadly to kids.
- It is not animal friendly breed.
- The exercise needs of the dog are moderate. Give it some job to do and take it on regular walks.
- This breed is not hypoallergenic.
- It sheds minimal.
- The dog is easy to groom.
- The dog requires firm leader for training.
Appearance
It is a giant breed with heavily buildup muscular body. The face of the dog is massive and square shaped. The dog’s face sports few lines of loose skin which is pretty symmetrical that gives it distinctive appearance.
The ears of the dog are of medium sized and of hanging shape. Its eyes are deep set, almond shaped and mostly of brown color. The tail of the dog is thick at the base and gets tapered towards the end.
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Size and Weight
The ideal height of the male breed is 60–65 cm and it weighs around 50–59 kg. The ideal height of the female breed is 56–61 cm and it weighs around 38-50kg.
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Coat and Color
This breed has single coat which lies close to its body. The hair is small and frizzy to touch. The hair of withers and back legs tends to be longer than rest of the body. The dog comes in many colors like fawn, brindle, black, red fawn, silver fawn and red brindle.
Temperament
- Personality - The Perro de Presa Canario is an impressive dog that is strong willed and dominant in nature. A well trained dog tends to be calm and well-mannered inside home. It is meek with family members and affectionate around kids. But it is advisable one should never let kids interact in isolation. You never when their beast mode gets activated due to kid’s rough play. This breed take decision all by itself as it has independent mindset. It may not always be obedient good boy and follows your order. Because of its massive size, only strong and experienced person should take charge of this breed.
- Behavior - This breed is highly prized for its ability to act as watchdog and guard dog. They are incredibly protective towards their family members and naturally suspicious towards strangers. Even if the master welcomes guest inside home, the dog may not accept the new person and always be wary of them. This dog should be made part of the family. It likes when the master assigns it jobs to do. A well trained is incredibly loyal towards it family and will not even accept food offered by strangers.
- Activities Requirement - It is not a couch potato. The dog needs exercise on regular to maintain its health and well-being. The dog should be made in charge of farm animals or if you do not have farm, take it on regular walking. After the dog thinks it has done enough physical workouts for the day, it doesn’t mind relaxing in the shade.
- Trainability - Like other mastiff breeds, this dog too needs to be taught hierarchy of pack. The dog should be made realized that humans irrespective of their size always stands superior to animals. Socializing the dog is necessary to make sure you have level headed dog inside home. If you have kids, conduct various interacting and pleasing games with puppies so that puppies understand that kids are part of the family and needs to be respected.
Feeding
An active or working dog needs to be fed more food than a dog with low physical activity. You can feed raw eggs, raw meat and bacon to the dog. The dog shouldn’t be fed tomatoes or other sour fruits.
Lifespan
The lifespan of this breed is 9 -11 years.
Health Issues
It is not hypoallergenic breed. The dog is more likely to get affected by eye diseases like PRA, cherry eye, cataract etc. Other health concerns include ectropion, distichiasis, and thyroid and auto immune problems.
Grooming
The dog is easy to groom. As it sheds minimally so brush it once a week. It is advisable to clean the fold of its facial skin with warm water so that fungal infection doesn’t occur.
Bath the dog as necessary. Other grooming process like trimming of nails, brushing its teeth and cleaning its ears are same as other breeds of dogs.
Habitat
A spacious home, or house accompanied with yard is best for the dog to live and wander freely. The dog can survive in excessive cold or warm climates.
Pet Names
- Robin
- Chunky
- Giant
- Beast
- Rambo
Things To Consider Before Buying
Pros
- The dog makes exceptional guard dog and watchdog.
- It is easy to groom and also it sheds less.
- The dog has low exercise requirements.
Cons
- This breed is not meant for novice owner because of its aggressive nature and huge size.
- The dog is not the best option for kids.
- It requires strong hand in training as it tends to be strong willed and dominant dog.
