The Perro de Presa Canario is a large Molosser-type dog breed originally bred for working livestock. The name of the breed is Spanish, means "Canarian catch dog," and is often shortened to "Presa Canario", or simply "Presa." The breed is also called Dogo Canario, meaning Canarian Molosser. 

History

The breed is originally from the Canary Islands in the 1700s, notably Gran Canaria. Its exact ancestry is unknown, but enthusiasts believe that the Perro de Bardino Majorero, an established farm dog from the Canary Islands, was crossed with the Mastiff and other English dogs brought to the Islands by visitors and colonists, creating the foundation for the modern Presa Canario. Presa type guard and catch dogs are mentioned in historical documents of the 16th and 17th centuries. It is believed that the Perro de Presa Canario was created during the 18th century for the purpose of property and flock guarding, the holding and driving of livestock, and exterminating wild or stray dogs.  The breed was also used for dog fighting, a tradition the English settlers transplanted along with their Mastiff and Bulldog breeds. Canary Islanders consider these fights "honor fights" and not the sole purpose of the animal. Presa type dogs were referred to as the "perro de la tierra" or "dog of the land". The breed became nearly extinct after dog fighting was outlawed in the 1940s, even though clandestine fights were known to continue during the next decade. Additionally the German Shepherd Dog, the Doberman Pinscher, and the Great Dane were introduced to the island with these breeds becoming popular with dog enthusiasts.  The breed was revived in the 1970s with the help of several crosses by various breeders.  This period is generally known as the reconstruction of the breed, with atypical specimens becoming less common. 

Appearance and Size

The Presa Canario is a large sized dog with a thick and muscular body.  The head is broad, massive, square, and powerful. Proper head and good expression are part of the breed standard, and are manifest in the best breed specimens. The ears are normally cropped both to create a more formidable expression, and to prevent damage while working with cattle. If cropped the ears stand erect. In countries where ear cropping is banned the ears are close fitting to the head, they hang down and should be pendant or "rose" shaped. The lips are thick and hang in an inverted V where they join; the flews may be slightly loose. The interior lips are dark. Males average between 23 to 26 inches (58 to 66 cm) at the withers with a minimum weight of 100 pounds (45 kg). Females average between 22 to 25 inches (56 to 63 cm) at the withers with a minimum weight of 85 pounds (39 kg).  Very high weights could lead to a number of health problems. Too much weight is also known to compromise the dog's athleticism and working ability. The breed is also characterized by a sloping topline (with the rear being slightly higher than the shoulders). Another characteristic of the breed is the shape of the paws (cat foot) and the catlike movement of the animal. The body is mesomorphic, that is, slightly longer than the dog is tall, contributing to the feline movement. The Presa should be powerful, balanced, and imposing in appearance. It is heavily built, but able to move with great athleticism.The coat is short with no undercoating and slightly coarse to the touch. The coat comes in all shades of fawn and brindle.  The acceptance of the black coat is a point of contention among fanciers as it is allowed by the AKC-FSS, UKC and UPCC standards, but not by the FCI or FIC standards. White is allowed up to 20 percent and is most commonly found on the chest and feet, and occasionally on a blaze on the muzzle. The breed standard requires black pigmentation and dogs should have a black mask that does not extend above the eyes. The breed is known for its very minimal shedding. In order to be properly informed on the Presa Canario's coat and genetics. It's suggested to read the below section titled "Presa Canario – A Legislative Basis for the Name and Standard", there you will find the true "decreto of the Presa Canario" (i.e. The Presa Canario has a solid legislative basis in Spain, and it is recognized as such by a Real Decreto of the MAPA (Minister of Agriculture Fishing and Nutrition), which was published in the Official Gazzette of the Spanish Government ([BOE – Boletin Oficial del Estado]). The original [Real Decreto 558/2001] can be read on the site of the Spanish Government Gazzette. In this authentic legislative source the breed is named precisely as "Presa Canario." A breed standard is attached in the Real Decree and it includes the black coat and a maximum weight. Any other name or standard is not recognized by Spanish law.). Inside the Decreto you will find (page 7) the real presa's color (which includes gray/grey), here is a translated version of the colors section in the decreto, it reads (It seen distance the dog seems to be one-color and can have clearer excesses in the extremities. It seen closely, is to stand out that the color proceeds of the mixture of hairs of different tones: Brown, brown, more or less reddish, gray, white and black. The basic colors that derive from this mixture are: brown, in their clear tones, media and dark, gray composed of white, gray, and black, with shades that go of the gray silver one to the gray dark one. If it dominates the black one and combines simply with white, gives a black one that cold seems. There are also dogs with a mixture of black, brown and brown reddish, that can dominate in an or several you split, giving the impression of black specimens and coffee. Themselves they are not admitted you stain white or black. At times, a few white hairs, in the shape of star on the chest they are tolerated, or in the upper part of the fingers, but, in that case, anyway, does not owe this to come accompanied by white nails ).There is cases of what seem to be called a grey/gray but appear blueish color, as without a black mask. These specimens are not of true type and should be avoided if in need of pure ones. These rare cases come from crosses with other breeds, such as American Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire terriers, Cane Corsos, Neopolitan Mastiffs, and other breeds which have blue. 

Personality

Presas are of strong character and are dominant animals requiring early socialization and obedience training.  In some situations, the Presa can be aggressive toward other dogs and suspicious of strangers.  Once the dog has been properly socialized and trained, this becomes the exception rather than the rule. Many Presas share their homes with children, other dogs, cats, horses and other farm animals. Presa are known for being extremely loyal and affectionate with their families and crave attention from their owners. They are extremely tolerant of children due to low body sensitivity or high pain tolerance, a trait which stems from selective breeding as big game hunters. Like all dogs of any size or breed, they require obedience training and socialization; no dog should be left unattended with small children. They are protective of what they perceive as their territory and will guard it against any intruder. They get along with other dogs as long as they have been properly socialized, but will usually not tolerate another dog trying to assert dominance over them and might not coexist peacefully with another dominant breed of dog. They can develop an aggressive or dominant temperament if not socialized with other dogs at an early age, particularly with other dogs of the same sex. Dog aggression per se is absolutely not a desirable trait in the Dogo canario, as it is at odds with its intended purpose as a pack hunter. A single "pet" Presa without a working outlet for energy and drive may feel himself to be "king of the mountain" and carry himself accordingly, though the same dog may work perfectly cooperatively with other males while hunting. Presa are typically strong-tempered animals not suitable for the novice dog owner; they do best with an experienced handler. Presa are recent comers to suburban life. Unlike many breeds classified as "working dogs", Presa are not "historically" working dogs, but dogs currently and actively selected for working function and temperament. Pet owners interested in the Dogo canario would do well to remember that these are working animals with a serious need for exercise and outlet of hunting drive by way of activities such as tracking, trailing, or sport work. Dogo canario are accomplished big-game hunters, and are used today in a variety of ways from tracking, search and rescue, general police work including narcotics detection, military and family dogs. They are even occasionally used as guide dogs, or as service animals, though their primary work remains boar hunting. Due to their very great prey drive, physical capabilities and strong temperament, they are not dogs commonly suited to be suburban backyard pets, though they do make excellent companions for exceptionally capable and dedicated dog owners.

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