Many people are unaware that the name of the Canary Islands derives from the word can. And it is precisely there where one of the most emblematic dog breeds of our country was born: the Presa Canario, also called the Dogo Canario, which is also part of the official emblem of the island of Gran Canaria.
It is a dog of great size and strength, but also very resistant and prepared to perform many and different tasks, mainly those of guard dog and cattle herder.
Unfortunately, for years the Canarian bulldogs were also used for other less noble activities such as dog fighting … something that ended up being prohibited and the Presa Canario was on the verge of extinction. Luckily this did not happen, being currently a highly appreciated and sought after breed.
Index of contents
- 1 Character of the Presa Canario
- 2 Physical characteristics of the Dogo de Canarias
- 3 The training of a Presa Canario dog
- 4 Recommended care for the breed
Character of the Presa Canario
The Dogo Canario is a calm and balanced dog, very docile and loyal to its owner, although due to its strong guard dog instinct it can be aggressive towards strangers and has often been included in the category of potentially dangerous dogs.
However, if he has been well educated and socialized since he was a puppy, the Presa Canario will not have any problem of living together in a house, neither with the children nor other dogs that may be under the same roof.
The most common is that the opposite happens and ends up developing a great affection as well as a strong protective instinct towards those who consider their peers. In fact, this dog is used as an effective defense weapon for women victims of gender violence.
Despite all these innate virtues, he has to be suitably educated as a puppy to ensure that his behavior is appropriate within a home.
Physical characteristics of the Dogo de Canarias
The Presa Canario is a large dog that reaches a height of 60-65 meters and can weigh up to 60 kg or more, figures that are somewhat more modest in the case of females.
His muscular complexion is very robust and compact, although for his size he is an incredibly agile dog. Its muzzle is short and the skin of the face forms a series of folds under the mouth and wrinkles on the forehead. He has brown eyes and droopy eyelids. Their ears, well separated from each other, also fall on both sides of the face.
The Dogo Canario’s hair is short and rough to the touch. The most common coat color is dark brown tabby, although it can also be silver gray or light brown. There is even a variety called “Presa Canario blanco”, although its hair is actually sand colored. Interestingly, all the puppies of the litters of females of Presa Canario are born with different colors.
The life expectancy of these dogs, well fed and cared for, is around 12 years.
The training of a Presa Canario dog
In the case of the Presa Canario, a good education must start from when it is a puppy of just three months, little by little and with a lot of patience. The longer we delay the start of the training process, the more difficult it will be for us.
Above all, the dog must be accustomed to sharing its space with family members and other dogs or cats that may be in the house. Otherwise, your guardian instinct will prevail and we will meet an aggressive dog that drives away visitors and, in the most extreme cases, a dangerous and unruly dog.
In the case of the Presa Canario, such a large dog with a strong character, it is often advisable for inexperienced owners to resort to a professional canine trainer to establish the guidelines and exercises suitable for your education. Once these mechanisms are established, training is not difficult as long as we are consistent and firm.
Recommended care for the breed
The Presa Canario is a dog that does not require care outside of normal. You just have to worry about bathing it occasionally and brushing its coat once a week to keep it in good condition, always taking care to use a soft comb to avoid damaging your skin.
More important is to pay attention to your daily dose of exercise, which will have to be divided into several walks of at least half an hour each to maintain good muscle tone and release accumulated tension.
You will also need an outdoor space to spend the day, a patio or garden. Due to its characteristics and above all due to its size, it is not a dog that adapts well to life in a flat or a house with limited space.
Like all large dogs, the Dogo Canario can also be affected by the hip dysplasia and elbow when they reach a certain maturity, but in general, this is a very tough and healthy breed.