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)