September 2, 2024, 3:40 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
The Presa Canario — formerly known as the Dogo Canario — is a Spanish dog breed of imposing size. Although it is an extremely gentle and friendly dog, it has a strong protective instinct and is, therefore, only suitable for experienced dog owners.
Origin
The Presa Canario, formerly often called the Dogo Canario, is a very old Spanish dog breed. According to the name, the dogs originated in the Canary Islands, especially in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and are close relatives of the Spanish Mastiff. The breed’s development dates back to the late Middle Ages and early modern times, when Spain began to conquer the American continent. They brought mastiff-type dogs with them for war and herding purposes, which they also established on the Canary Islands as a stopover.
Today, however, the Presa Canario has little to do with its bloody origins and was also used as a herding dog for many years. Due to its size and strength, however, it is often misjudged. Some owners even dock the animal’s ears, which is fortunately prohibited in Germany.
The Molosser breed was provisionally recognized by the FCI in 2001, and the final breed standard for the dog, now officially known as the Presa Canario and not Dogo Canario, was published in September 2023.
Appearance & coat
The Presa Canario is a very stocky-looking dog whose back should be longer than its legs. The head is broad and square-shaped. According to the breed standard, it also has a pronounced mask, which should be black. It is also characterized by the heavy or serious look required by the standard. The affectionately named Dogo has a strong muscle tone.
The clear differences between males and females are characteristic of this breed. While a male Presa Canario stands between 24 and 26 inches at the withers and should weigh up to 143 pounds, the females are bred to be slimmer and smaller. They should weigh 88 to 121 pounds and have a height of 22 to 24 inches at the withers.
The coat of the Presa Canario is short and relatively bristly. Due to its origin in the temperate Canary Islands, the dog has no undercoat. As a rule, the coat is brindled, which can be seen to varying degrees in the different color varieties. Many other basic coat shades are permitted in the Presa Canario. These include, for example, sand or fawn, but black, gray, blond, or fawn are also possible. White markings on the chest are also possible, but the face mask should remain black regardless of the coat color.
Character & disposition
The Presa Canario’s temperament is consistently exuberant and friendly. Any form of aggressive behavior leads to exclusion from breeding. However, due to its long history as a herding dog, it still has a pronounced protective instinct, which can be well controlled with competent dog training. He is a very self-confident dog who is usually not particularly open-minded towards strangers. He is obedient and affectionate towards his caregivers.
Training
The Presa Canario is an easy-to-train dog that should also be exercised physically and mentally. Its protective instinct and skepticism towards strangers should be addressed directly during training. However, a well-trained Dogo is extremely friendly and relaxed. It is suitable as a guard dog but is also a great family and companion dog. Dogos particularly enjoy playing ball and fetch games, which also give them a chance to exercise. The Dogo can also be trained as a guard or assistance dog.
Correct keeping & care
Anyone who wants to keep a Presa Canario purely as a guard dog or, in the worst case, even as a fighting dog is doing the animal an injustice. The Dogo loves being with its caregivers and builds an intimate, loving relationship with its owners. Keeping them only in the garden to watch over the property is not appropriate for them and can turn them into permanent barkers. However, it should ideally have a garden at its disposal, as it needs a lot of space. It is not suitable for small apartments.
Because of its protective instinct alone, the Presa Canario needs an experienced owner who will train it consistently and responsibly. The dog must be well-socialized, which should begin with the breeder, especially given its physical strength.
Nutrition
Depending on size and weight, the Presa Canario needs more food than smaller dog breeds. This should primarily consist of high-quality, meaty food that is grain- and sugar-free. However, plant-based ingredients such as fruit and vegetables should also be included in the diet of the large herding dog.
Susceptibility to certain diseases
The Presa Canario is considered a very robust dog with no known diseases typical of the breed. Like all large dogs, it can be prone to hip joint dysplasia and osteoarthritis in old age. With good care, the Dogo can live for 10 to 12 years.
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The Presa Canario at a glance
- Character: balanced and friendly
- Size: males 61 and 66 cm, bitches 56 to 62 cm
- Weight: males up to 65 kg, bitches 40 to 55 kg
- Coat: short, without undercoat
- Exercise requirement: average
- Average life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
- Special features: A Presa Canario from a reputable breeder is never aggressive or insecure, and ear cropping is not practiced – owners should be particularly mindful of this!