With its imposing appearance and a certain elegance in its movements, the Perro de Presa Canario is a true eye-catcher. However, this furry friend with a strong protective instinct also captivates dog lovers with its calm and balanced temperament and is enjoying increasing popularity.

History of the Perro de Presa Canario

The Perro de Presa Canario has its roots in the Canary Islands. Descended from the Spanish Mastiff, which was widespread on the Spanish mainland in the Middle Ages. In ancient texts, the Spanish Mastiff was mainly referred to as the “Alano” and was reportedly used for hunting, herding, guarding, and protection. The dogs were even used in bullfights and were often involved in dog fights.

They were also employed in the military and were used as support in the conquest of South America. During this conquest, the Canary Islands served as a stopover, and thus, the Spanish Mastiff found its way to the islands. Through the crossing of the Spanish Mastiff with local dogs on the island, the “Presa Canario” developed. It wasn’t until 2001 that the impressive dogs were recognized as a distinct breed by the FCI.

Nature and Character

As a Molosser, the Perro de Presa Canario has strong nerves. Confident and self-assured, this purebred dog knows no fear and exudes a fascinating calmness. There are few breeds that produce more balanced dogs, making the active Dogo an excellent family dog ​​due to its good-naturedness and nerve strength. As open and friendly as the Dogo is to the people in its environment, it is equally reserved towards strangers.

Distanced and watchful, but without fear, the Perro de Presa Canario keeps an eye on the situation and presents itself as a fearless guardian and protector of “its” people if necessary. However, the lively dog ​​is fundamentally very sociable and is considered child-friendly, docile, and easily trainable, making the Perro de Presa Canario a suitable family member for you.

Affection Level	Medium
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	Medium
Energy Level	High
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Low

Acquiring a Perro de Presa Canario

If you are considering acquiring a Perro de Presa Canario, you should not underestimate its temperament. However, these stately purebred dogs are also loyal and good-natured, quickly forming a close bond with “their” family. It is important to carefully consider whether you can provide a loving home for the Perro de Presa Canario for its entire life.

If you can answer this question with yes, then the Perro de Presa Canario will be a faithful companion that will bring you much joy. However, consistent training and good socialization in puppyhood are necessary for this, as only then will the positive nature of the Perro de Presa Canario come to the fore, and the offered protective instinct can be directed into regulated channels.

What should I consider when buying?

When buying a Perro de Presa Canario, it is important to rely on a reputable breeder who breeds according to the guidelines of the FCI. Therefore, you should inspect both the Perro de Presa Canario puppies and the parent animals. According to the breeding guidelines, only dogs with a balanced and calm character should be used for breeding. This ensures that the offspring are not only suitable as guard dogs but also as companion and family dogs. You should also ask to see the pedigree and veterinary records.

A responsible breeder integrates their animals into the family so that the puppies are socialized from the first day. In addition, the breeder will not only patiently answer your questions but will also have some questions for you, as good breeders only give their animals to good hands. Since the number of breeders dedicated to breeding the Perro de Presa Canario is quite small, you may need to consider other options. The price for a purebred puppy of the breed is around $1,200. Alternatively, you can also give a loving home to a Perro de Presa Canario mix, but you should be aware that its temperament may differ from that of a Presa Canario.

Development and training of the puppy

Just because of the lineage of the Perro de Presa Canario, it becomes clear that the breed does indeed have a strong protective instinct. Accordingly, good training is important for these physically strong dogs. If training is not approached correctly or is inconsistent, it can lead to problems in everyday life.

Therefore, socialization and training should begin in the puppy stage. The puppies can learn their first commands and master them after a short time. The intelligence of the dogs will benefit you in training because the Presa Canario is eager to learn and quick to understand. Especially in their early years, the animals are quite energetic, and due to their impressive size, they can appear threatening to strangers. To prevent this, physical restraint should be trained from the beginning because due to the enormous strength of the Perro de Presa Canario, it will otherwise be difficult to control him and his spirited nature.

How do I care for a Perro de Presa Canario?

Caring for a Perro de Presa Canario is quite uncomplicated if you keep training in mind. Naturally, you should dedicate enough time to the active dog and plan more than just short walks, as the Dogo certainly has power and a great joy for movement. It should be clear that a dog of this size also requires appropriate space and wants to be stimulated. As a sporty dog, the Perro de Presa Canario is the ideal companion for hikes and enjoys participating in athletic activities. However, with its patient nature, the Dogo can easily accompany the family on outings and certainly enjoys being close to its “favorite people.” Ideally, you should live in a rural area and be able to provide a secured garden for the Dogo.

Activities with the Perro de Presa Canario

Generally, you don’t need to hold back on activities with the Perro de Presa Canario. Dogs of this breed love to let off steam. Therefore, you should plan larger walks daily and enhance them with fetch games, retrieval games, or ball games for the Dogo. Additionally, you can easily incorporate intelligence games for the Perro de Presa Canario, and a visit to the dog sports field will bring you and the Dogo much joy.

Health and Grooming

The Perro de Presa Canario is blessed with robust health, and there are no breed-specific diseases known for the breed. However, you should prioritize providing enough exercise and offering high-quality food to the Perro de Presa Canario. The breed is well-suited for a BARF diet, but you should seek advice beforehand. Regular health checks should still be scheduled.

Interesting and Noteworthy

As a true Molosser, the Presa Canario is not overbred and is a very primitive breed. The broad gene pool benefits the breed, and there is generally no inbreeding, which is quite common in other breeds.

Do you have a Perro de Presa Canario or are you planning to get one? Tell me in the comments what makes it so special in your opinion!