DOGO CANARIO / PRESA
CANARIO
Originating from the Canary Islands, the Presa Canario or Dogo Canario
continues to grow in
popularity all over the world. The Dogo Canario / Presa Canario is a very
powerful, brave,
athletic, and trustworthy dog with a rough and independent character,
however very loyal to it's
owner.
Originally developed by crossing the old European bulldogges, bullterriers,
bandogges and
mastiffs brought by the Spanish conquerors with the local island dogs, among
them the ancient
Bardino Majorero, this powerful new breed was used for herding cattle,
guarding property and
even for exterminating stray cats and dogs. The old-type Presa Canario was
also a valued local
fighting dog, but was being regularly defetead when matched against the more
tenacious and
tireless imported bull-terrier breeds, inspiring numerous new crossings
throughout history,
intended to constantly improve its pit-fighting qualities. The years that
followed WW2
introduced the popular European breeds to the Canary Islands, like the
German Shepherds,
Rottweilers and Neapolitan Mastiffs, among many others. This resulted in
driving the Perro de
Presa Canario to near-extinction.
Thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders and enthusiasts in the 1970's,
the Presa Canario was
re-created by gathering the surviving Canary Island Bulldogges, most of
which were fighting
crosses and not pure Presas at all, and crossing them with the Alano
Espanol, American
Staffordshire Terrier, German Boxer, English Bullterrier, Neapolitan
Mastiff, American Pit Bull
Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Bardino Majorero, Bullmastiff and other breeds and
crossdogs. Over the
next 20 years, the breed type was established and the Perro de Presa Canario
is presently a
popular breed worldwide, both as a fighting dog and property guardian.
However, some fanciers
feel that the re-creation process was rushed, resulting in a range of
appearances and personalities
within the breed, including examples with erect ears, odd colourings and
unstable temperaments.
While the revival efforts could be seen as a success overall, it should be
noted that the
present-day Presa Canario is quite a bit larger and heavier than the
original dogs which inspired
the reconstruction programme. For better or worse, the modern Dogo Canario
has been
standardized for shows, which calls for it to be bred true to written type,
but there are still many
American and European breeders that regularly cross their Presas with Pit
Bulls, Cane Corsos
and various Bandogges. Disputes between fanciers and registries over what
the correct Canario
type is are very common, resulting in various splits within the breed clubs
and the rise of
breeders worldwide breeding these bandogges based on their own personal
preferences and
conformation ideals. Even in the Canary Islands, there are a few types to be
found within the
Presa Canario population and harsh disagreements between native breeders are
quite common.
In their desire to promote the breed, some enthusiasts often overlook the
breed's true history
and its fighting past, while focusing on the physical beauty and good
guarding abilities only,
creating some confusion and controversy. Some fanciers even go as far as
making a distinction
between the Perro de Presa Canario and the Dogo Canario, claiming that the
latter is a separate
breed created for Shows, unlike the working dogs still encountered on the
islands.
Due to its legendary devotion to its owner, as well as affectionate nature
towards children, the
Perro de Presa Canario generally makes a lovely family pet and urban
companion. However,
because of its severe dog-aggression and great territorial instincts, it
requires early socialization
and experienced handling. This is a very muscular and powerful bulldogge,
posessing a strong
prey-drive and tenacity. The body is well-boned and massive, but lean enough
to give the Presa
its impressive agility and speed. This wide-chested and broad-shouldered
Molosser has a large
head with a powerful muzzle, defined stop and well-developed jaws. The ears
are usually
cropped, but unaltered specimens can be seen as well. The short coat comes
in various solid
colours, including brindle and some with white markings. Average height is
around 24 inches,
although taller examples exist.
Click here for FCI standard (Dogo Canario)