Dog from canary islands: Tenerife Dog Breeds – all three of them

Perro De Presa Canario Dog Breed Complete Guide

Canis lupus

Last updated: October 1, 2022

Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

© Mary Swift/Shutterstock.com

The breed has feet like a cat, with rounded toes that are not too close together. His unique feet give him a distinctive, long, elastic stride.

Perro De Presa Canario Facts

Fun Fact

The breed has feet like a cat, with rounded toes that are not too close together. His unique feet give him a distinctive, long, elastic stride.

Temperament

Calm, Aloof, and Strong-Willed

Perro De Presa Canario Physical Characteristics

Color

• Fawn
• Red
• Black
• Brindle
• Silver

Skin Type

Hair

Lifespan

9 – 11 years

Weight

143 lbs

Perro De Presa Canario as a Pet:

General Health

Energy Level

Shedability

Trainability

Intelligence

Tendency to Chew

Size

Family and kid friendliness

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Yappiness / Barking

Moderate

Separation Anxiety

Low

Preferred Temperature

Average climate

Exercise Needs

Moderate

Friendly With Other Dogs

Poor

Pure bred cost to own

$1500 to $2500

Dog group

Non-sporting

Male weight

110-143 lbs

Female weight

80-121 lbs

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Perro De Presa Canario Pictures

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The Perro De Presa Canario’s cat-like feet give it a distinctive, graceful gait.

The Perro De Presa Canario is an ancient breed, dating back to the 15th century. Developed on the Canary Islands, the breed was used to protect and herd cattle. Unfortunately, his size and strength made him a popular choice for those involved in dogfighting. After many generations, with the history of attacking predators and fighting dogs in his bloodlines, today’s Perro De Presa Canario can be a good companion for the right household but does not generally do well in homes with other pets and children.

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Unfortunately, the tremendous strength and bite force of the breed, along with some fatal attacks that have made the news, means the Presa is not welcome in some areas.

Perro De Presa Canario Mixes

The Perro De Presa Canario is a rare breed, so many breeders choose to devote their efforts to purebred breeding. There are a few crosses that are available for those looking for something different. They include a cross between the Presa Canario and Bulldog, known as the English Presa Bulldog, the Presa Canario, and Great Dane, known as the Presa Dane, and the Presa and the Mastiff, known as the English Presa Mastiff.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Perro De Presa Canario

Pros!	Cons!
A short coat with no undercoat means minimal grooming.	Often dominant and strong-willed.
Excellent watchdog capabilities.	Tremendous bite force and history of attacks make the breed unwelcome in many communities and may make finding homeowner’s insurance a challenge.
Loyal	Require an experienced, dedicated owner for training.

Perro De Presa Canarios in the city park.

Perro De Presa Canario Size and Weight

The Perro De Presa Canario is a large, short-haired breed that can reach 26 inches at the shoulder and routinely tops 100 lbs. In fact, males may reach nearly 150 lbs at maturity. The dog is longer than he is tall and has a sturdy build.

Perro De Presa Canario Common Health Issues

Most large breeds are predisposed to the same health conditions, and the Perro De Presa Canario is no different. Hip dysplasia, patellar avulsions, patellar luxation, and osteochondrodysplasia can all affect the breed. In addition, they are also prone to dilated cardiomyopathy and other heart conditions, cancers, and mast-cell tumors. Less serious conditions they may develop include demodectic mange and skin cysts.

Perro De Presa Canario Temperament

The breed is expected to be calm and attentive. Very confident, the breed is obedient to those he knows and suspicious of strangers. They have a tendency towards expressing dominance, making it important they have an experienced owner. If other pets are in the home, they should always be supervised.

Health and Entertainment for your Perro De Presa Canario

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How to Take Care of a Perro De Presa Canario

Owning a Perro De Presa Canario is not a commitment to take lightly. Even the cost of providing quality food is significantly more than with many other breeds. Combined with the time and energy needed to keep the dog exercised and trained, and it is easy to see that this isn’t the breed for everyone.

The Best Dog Food for Perro De Presa Canarios

Feeding a high-quality, commercially prepared diet ensures that your Perro De Presa Canario has the nutrients needed to develop into a strong, healthy dog. Feed young dogs 3 times a day.

As adults, twice-a-day meals ensure your dog doesn’t need huge portions at each meal and he is more likely to take his time eating. Like other large breeds, using an elevated feeder makes eating easier and reduces the risk of gastric torsion.

Since Perro De Presa Canario have an elevated risk of dilated cardiomyopathy, it might benefit your dog to eat a dog food free from legumes. There is a link between legumes in dog food and heart failure.

Our suggestion at A-Z Animals for the Perro de Presa Canario is Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food.

That’s because, with real chicken and salmon for high-quality protein, this dog food has all the glucosamine and chondroitin a Perro De Presa Canarios needs for mobile joints, and none of the ingredients your dog absolutely doesn’t need. Your Perro De Presa Canarios can do great without all the corn, wheat, soy, peas, lentils, and artificial additives found in many dog foods. Instead, this food offers dogs balanced nutrition with vital amino acids, vitamins, and more for energy and longevity.

Order Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dog Food on chewy and Amazon.

Overall Best

Perro De Presa Canario Maintenance and Grooming

While the size and temperament of the Presa raise the price on nearly everything involved in dog ownership, the short coat makes grooming a breeze. Brushing with a bristle brush a few times a week and wiping with a damp cloth to remove loose hair and surface dirt is all you need to keep your dog looking good. He only needs the occasional bath.

It is important to clean his ears regularly and trim his fast-growing nails frequently. Both of these tasks are easiest if you introduce the process to your dog when he is young.

Perro De Presa Canario Training

This breed is intelligent but lacks the eagerness to please which makes many breeds easy to train. Instead, expect a dog that can be stubborn, strong-willed, and test boundaries. Patience and experience are needed for successful training. It is also important to socialize the dog from a young age. The breed is suspicious of strangers by nature, and lack of socialization will only encourage this trait.

Perro De Presa Canario Exercise

Despite his ponderous size, the Perro De Presa Canario has plenty of energy. Bred to be a working dog, he does best with multiple daily walks along with outdoor play.

Perro De Presa Canario Puppies

The Perro De Presa Canario typically has between 7 and 9 puppies in each litter. Because of the Presa’s rapid growth and eventual size, it is important to offer high-quality puppy food from an early age.

Take advantage of the Presa’s natural curiosity as a pup for intensive socialization. Don’t take the pup in public until you get the okay from your veterinarian. Most vets prefer that you wait until your pup has at least one round of vaccinations before taking them out. Once it is safe to do so, spend time walking and playing with your pup in parks and other areas where he can observe other people and pets. Enrolling him in a puppy obedience class is another great way to work on socialization.

Perro De Presa Canarios puppy sitting outdoors on green grass.

©Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock.com

Perro De Presa Canario and Children

This breed is large, stubborn, and aloof. Combined with a bite force of 540 PSI, it is easy to see why they are not a good choice for most families. Attacks from a dog of this size and strength are devastating. In fact, the Perro De Presa Canario is a challenging breed and should be eliminated as the breed of choice for many people. Only an experienced dog owner with time to dedicate to training should consider one.

Dogs Similar to the Perro De Presa Canario

If you are interested in large guardian breeds, there are several to choose from.

• Cane Corso – Often mistaken for the Presa. Lower prey drive and more affectionate temperament than the Presa, although still a guardian that requires experienced handling.
• English Mastiff – A good choice for those looking for a large guardian who is also loving and fits in well with the family.
• Fila Brasileiro – Also known as the Brazilian Mastiff, this large guardian breed has superior tracking skills, making him prone to following his nose.

Perro De Presa Canario Vs Cane Corso

The Perro De Presa Canario and Cane Corso have many similarities, but there are some key differences between the two breeds. The first is height. The Cane Corso is slightly taller, reaching up to 27″ at the shoulder, however, it is not as stocky, and weighs less than the Perro De Presa Canario.

The Presa has a black mask, regardless of his body color. While both have short coats, the Cane Corso’s feels rougher, because it is denser. While both breeds make excellent watchdogs, the Cane Corso is friendlier with both his family and strangers than the Presa.

The Cane Corso has a lower prey drive and tends to get along better with other pets and children than the Presa.

Popular Names for Perro De Presa Canarios

The breed’s large size makes it the target for distinctive names. Common names for males include

• Titan
• Hulk
• Zeus

Common female names include

• Athena
• Onyx
• Willow

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Perro De Presa Canario FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much does the Perro De Presa Canario cost to own?

Puppies can be purchased for $1500 to $2500. Ongoing costs can be high, due to the breed’s size. Expect a higher price for everything from food to beds.

Is the Perro De Presa Canario good with kids?

No, the breed is generally not considered kid-friendly. If he is brought into a home with children, it is better done while he is young. Children should always be supervised around the breed.

How long does the Perro De Presa Canario live?

9 to 11 years

Where did the Perro De Presa Canario originate?

The Canary Islands. The bloodlines of the Presa include mastiffs, the Bardino Majorero, and the Presa Espanol. The breed was nearly extinct in the 1960s. In the 1980s, a breed society formed to establish a breed standard and begin to record bloodlines.

How much do Perro De Presa Canarios cost?

$1500 to $2500. You may find a more affordable price through adoption.

How big do Perro De Presa Canarios get?

Up to 26″ at the shoulder and nearly 150 pounds

At what age is the Perro De Presa Canario fully grown?

Two

What is the difference between a Cane Corso and a Presa Canario?

The Presa Canario and the Cane Corso are often mistaken for each other, as they occasionally share a similar fawn coloration and overall appearance. Both are classified as large breed dogs and have a short coat of fur with little shedding.

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Sources

1. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/perro-de-presa-canario/
2. Wag!, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/name/perro-de-presa-canario-dog-names
3. PCCA Club, Available here: https://www.presacanarioclub.net/the-pcca
4. So Cal Presa, Available here: https://socalpresa.com/category/presa-canario-information/

Perro de Presa Canario Dog Dog Breed Profile

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   Dog Breeds

(Canary Dog of Prey)

Form and Function

Powerful, agile and courageous, the Perro de Presa Canario gives the overall appearance of a powerful, stately guard dog with a large, robust body that’s slightly longer than it is tall. He has a broad, deep chest with a large head and thick, elastic-like skin.

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Breed Traits

Breed Attributes

Type

Molossoid

Weight

84 to 110 pounds

Height

23 to 26 inches (male), 22 to 25 inches (female)

Family

Guardian (UKC)

Area of Origin

Spain

Date of Origin

15th century

Other Names

Canary Dog of Prey

History

The Perro de Presa Canario can be traced back to its ancestors, likely brought to the Canary Islands by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 15th century, where they lived among the indigenous cattle dogs. Whether guarding farms, catching cattle or eliminating wild or stray dogs, the Perro de Presa Canario was a dog of many purposes. The breed began to decline in the 1940s, but was revived again in the 1970s by reputable breeders who developed and bred the Perro de Presa Canario to its original size and character.

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Temperament

Confident and strong-willed, the Perro de Presa Canario is suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive toward other dogs, with a firm, vigilant stance and low, deep bark when on alert. However, he is affectionate, calm and well-behaved toward his human family.

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Upkeep

The Perro de Presa Canario’s harsh, flat coat doesn’t require much grooming beyond regular weekly brushing and the occasional bath. He has strong, quickly growing nails that should be trimmed regularly, and his ears, which can be cropped, rose or naturally pendant, should be cleaned of any build-up of wax and debris. The Perro de Presa Canario’s energy level is relatively calm and stable, so he should be given regular exercise in a fenced yard or taken on several walks daily.

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Health

• Major Concerns: N/A
• Minor Concerns: N/A
• Occasionally Seen: N/A
• Suggested Tests: N/A
• Lifespan: 9 to 11 years

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Disclaimer

Note: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.

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Drone did not have time to save the dogs from the lava trap on La Palma. They have already been taken away, leaving a poster “The dogs are all right”

22 October 2021 07:53

Three dogs trapped in a lava trap on the island of Cumbre Vieja, Canary Islands, October 2021

Aerocamaras / screenshot from video

Spanish drone operator Aerocamaras, who was trying to rescue three malnourished dogs from the erupting La Palma island, said the animals were taken away before the company’s drone reached their habitat.

Reported by Reuters.

In early October, three dogs were spotted on the island of La Palma, where Cumbre Vieja had been erupting for almost two months. The animals were in a volcanic ash-covered courtyard, effectively trapped in a lava trap with no way to escape. nine0005

Drones dropped food on dogs for some time. Helicopters could not evacuate animals: it would be dangerous for them to fly up so close to the fumes that could damage the propellers. Aerocamaras eventually received permission to use the drone to rescue dogs.

But on the evening of October 21, when the drones flew up to the place where the animals were staying, they were not there. However, drones recorded human footprints and a poster: “Be strong, La Palma. The dogs are all right. Team-A “.

Apparently someone came and rescued the dogs before the drones arrived. Aerocamaras chief Jaime Pereira says it is possible: in recent weeks, the surface temperature of the area where the dogs were kept has cooled to 40-70 degrees Celsius, so theoretically someone could walk on it.

“We realized that something strange had happened, we checked all the places where [dogs] could hide, and found nothing. Now we only want to see the dogs to make sure they are all right and that they are the same dogs we were looking for.” , said Pereira.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma erupted about a month ago and it is not known when it will end, according to authorities. The island was on high alert after more than 22,000 aftershocks were recorded at the volcano a week before the eruption.

Lava flows burned more than 742 hectares of land and destroyed almost 2 thousand buildings. About 7 thousand people (out of 83 thousand of the island’s population) were evacuated. nine0005

Cumbre Vieja last woke up in 1971. However, in the Canary Islands, which includes La Palma, eruptions were also recorded in 2011, when the El Hierro volcano woke up.

Canary Great Dane: characteristics of the dog breed, photo, character, rules of care and maintenance

Characteristics

Country of origin

Spain
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Size

Large

Height

56-65 cm

Weight

45-55 kg

Age

8–12 years old

FCI breed group

2 – Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossians, Mountain Dogs and Swiss Cattle Dogs

Brief information

• Devoted to his family;

• Needs proper education and training; nine0005

• Can be an excellent guard.

Character

Dogo Canario, as the name of the breed suggests, comes from Spain, or rather from the Canary Islands. His ancestors were mastiffs and local dogs – mahorero, who lived on the islands long before the arrival of the Spanish colonists. By the way, the very name of the islands – Canaries – is a reference to the Latin “canis”, which means “dog”. The territories were widely known in the ancient world precisely because of the dogs that the locals used as first helpers. nine0005

Throughout its history, the Dogo Canario managed to be a guard, a shepherd, and a fighter. By the way, representatives of the breed participated in battles until the 1940s, and it is not surprising: these strong, strong and muscular dogs had almost no equal. Today, the Dogo Canario can become an excellent companion and guard for a family and for a single person.

Despite the faulty reputation, the Dogo Canario has a calm and balanced temperament. As is the case with all fighting dogs, the main thing is education. Representatives of this breed must go through a general course of obedience and training, and their socialization must be started as early as possible. And it is recommended to do this with a professional dog handler. The Dogo Canario must understand that it is the owner who is the leader of the “pack”. nine0005

A well-bred dog is peaceful, it treats family members affectionately and is always ready to stand up for them. At the same time, aggression is not typical for the breed, which means that the Dogo Canario will never attack first. By the way, the breed is famous for its protective qualities. Indeed, these dogs are always on the alert, but at the same time, the pet will always be open to friends and acquaintances of the owner.

Dogo Canario is self-confident and therefore rarely comes into conflict with other animals in the house. He gets along well even with cats, especially if the puppy is younger and appeared in the house later. nine0005

Representatives of the breed are loyal to children and are ready to endure their antics.