Vigilant Kennels: Content / content / History of the Presa Canario

on Saturday 10 February 2007
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The breed history

Breed History and other information

Perro de Presa Canario Or Dogo Canario is a Molosser type dog from the Canary Islands. This large breed was originally bred as a multi-purpose farm dog, being used as a cattle drover and guard dog. The name means the "Canario Island Dog of Prey" and is sometimes simply called "Presa"

History

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, Bandogge, 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 bulldogges 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.

Temperament

The Presa Canario breed is known for its calm temperament, which is often referred to as the "island temperament." It is considered "gentle and noble" with the family, and distrusting of strangers. The Presa Canario forms a strong bond with its master and human family and can be very protective. The breed is intelligent and is known to possess a "severe gaze."In some situations, the Presa can be aggressive toward animals, other dogs, and even humans in rare cases. Once the dog has been properly socialized and trained, this becomes the exception rather than the rule. Many Presas share their homes with birds, cats, dogs, horses, reptiles and other animals.

Trainability

Due to its temperament, the Presa Canario can be a challenge to train. They require a firm owner who is willing and able to meet the challenges a young, dominant puppy may pose. The breed is not traditionally suited for protection sports but it is gaining in popularity due to a small group of enthusiasts who have selected dogs based heavily on function.

Health

As with any breed, those interested in purchasing a Presa Canario should carefully research breeders and a dog's ancestry to ensure that the breeding lines are healthy. Typically speaking, the higher the degree of consanguinity, the higher the likelihood of genetic defects. Due to the breed's vast gene pool, many of the genetic problems that affect other pure-breeds are less evident. However, as the breed becomes more tightly interbred and bloodlines developed the incidence of genetic problems may increase.As a large breed, the Presa Canario can be susceptible to hip dysplasia. Other possible (but generally uncommon) health problems include epilepsy, osteochondrodysplasias, and cryptorchidism. Health issues unique to Spain include canine herpes virus and canine visceral leishmaniasis. An outbreak of herpes can be deadly to a canine population, particularly to newborn puppies. Leishmaniasis is a blood parasite that has a long incubation period (of several years) and most often leads death.

Lifespan

The average lifespan for the Presa Canario is 8-12 years.

Breed Status

Some enthusiasts hold that, if the dog's pedigree cannot be traced back to the Canary Islands, it is not a true Presa Canario but rather a Bandog. It should be noted that there is a great degree of diversity in Presa Canarios and Dogo Canarios throughout the world. While this diversity has good implications for health, it has some interesting ramifications for the breed status. The Presa Canario is one of four breeds that does not have a DNA profile. And despite the fact that some claim the "Presa Canario" is a different breed from the "Dogo Canario" neither phenotype nor genotype evidence can accurately substantiate this claim. Essentially, all Dogo Canarios are Presa-type dogs (that is Presa Canario), but not all Presa-type dogs (Presa Canario) are necessarily Dogo Canarios.For years, obtaining proper paperwork from Spain was extremely difficult. It is even claimed (but never substantiated), for example, that a former president of the Spanish club simply didn't give out papers. Some breeders simply do not have papers on their dogs which are bonafide Presa Canarios. The problem in obtaining papers has definitely contributed to the diversity of the breed in many ways. Due to this difficulty, American owners and breeders created and sought other ways to register their dogs, such as AKC-FSS, UKC, NKC and FCI.