1. Appearance

2. History

3. Coat and color

4. Temperament

5. Health

6. Lifespan

7. Basis for the name and standard

8. Legal restrictions on ownership

9. See also

10. Footnotes

11. External links

The Perro de Presa Canario, a.k.a. the Canary Mastiff, is a rare 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 sometimes also called Dogo Canario, meaning "Canarian Molosser". It is the animal symbol of the island of Gran Canaria.^[2]

Appearance

First introduced{{when|date=February 2013}} to the world outside of Spain's Canary Islands by the American anthropologist Dr. Carl Semencic in an article for Dog World Magazine and in his books on the subject of rare breeds of dogs,{{cn|date=March 2017}} the Perro de Presa Canario or "Canary Dog" is a large-size dog with a thick and muscular body.^[3] The head is broad, massive, square, and powerful brachycephalic shape. 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 upper lip is pendulous, although not excessively. Seen from the front, the upper and lower lips come together to form an inverted V. The flews are slightly divergent. The inside of the lips is a dark colour.^[4]

Males have a standard desirable height range of {{convert|23|to|26|in|cm}}^[5] at the withers, with a minimum weight at maturity of {{convert|100|lb|kg|round=5}}^[5] and a maximum weight of {{convert|160|lb}}.^[4] Females have a standard desirable height between {{convert|22|to|25|in|cm}}^[5] at the withers, with a minimum weight at maturity of {{convert|85|lb|kg}}^[5] and a maximum weight of {{convert|150|lb|order=flip|round=5}}.^[4]

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.

History

The historian Agustín Millares Torres, in his "General History of the Canary Islands", said the derivation of large dogs that in these islands were [incomplete]. According to his research, these dogs took part in the myths, funeral customs and even gastronomy of the natives (Guanches) of the islands. Demons appeared to these people as big fleecy dogs, known as "Tibicenas" in Gran Canaria and "Irnene" on the island of La Palma. In the funerary cults, the dogs appear mummified beside their owners guides to the afterlife. The dogs were also consumed in small amounts, as has been proven in archaeological discoveries.^[6]

In the aftermath of conquest, the presence of these dogs of molosser morphology on the islands is well documented, especially in the cedularios of the councils of Fuerteventura and Tenerife. The first quote after conquest dates from 1501, which allowed the puerqueros (pig farmers) to have "one of the larges." In many periods, these dogs were used to kill the wild dogs that attacked cattle. Success was credited by the presentation of the skins of the heads. In others periods, many of these dogs were ordered to be killed for the damage they did to cattle. At one point, residents were given the opportunity to kill loose and wild dogs without punishment. In other occasions the dogs were ordered to be bound. And still other times, due to the damage caused by these dogs, their possession was banned for anyone who was not a farmer or a hunter. All this occurred between the 16th and 18th centuries.^[6]

In addition to the traditional role of cattle dog, the Perros de Presa Canario have been used for dog fighting.^[7][8][9] Until the 1950s it remained a common practice in all of the islands.^[10]

The FCI recognized the breed provisionally in 2001 and completely in 2011 under the name Dogo Canario.^[12] In December 2018 it changed the official FCI name to the Presa Canario because the Spanish Kennel Club had wished for it.^[13]

Coat and color

The coat is short with no undercoating and slightly coarse to the touch. The coat comes in all shades of fawn and brindle.^[14] The acceptance of the black coat is a point of contention among fanciers, as it is allowed by the AKC/FSS, UKC and UPPCC standards, but not by the FCI or FCI standards. White is allowed up to 20 percent^[5] 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 renowned for its minimal shedding.

Temperament

Presas require early socialization and obedience training.^[15] In some situations, the Perro de Presa Canario can be aggressive toward other dogs and suspicious of strangers.^[16] This breed of dog is sometimes used in dog fighting rings due to its size.

Health

As a large breed, the Perro de Presa Canario can be susceptible to hip dysplasia. Other reported health problems include dilated cardiomyopathy- heart problems and mast-cell tumours - cancer patellar luxation and patellar evulsions, skin cysts, epilepsy, osteochondrodysplasias, demodectic mange and cryptorchidism and Canine leishmaniasis.^[17] The latter condition is described empirically as highly likely to affect dogs in areas of Spain^[18] and academically described as having increased over 22 years prior to 2006, with risk being highest for dogs that were older, large, lived outside, and lived at the meso-Mediterranean level.^[19]

Lifespan

The average lifespan for the Perro de Presa Canario is between eight and 12 years.^[20]

Basis for the name and standard

The Perro de Presa Canario has a legislative basis in Spain in the form of recognition by a Real Decreto (Royal Decree) of the Ministro de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (Minister of Agriculture Fishing and Nutrition), which was published in the Official Gazette of the Spanish Government ([https://web.archive.org/web/20071114023328/http://www.boe.es/g/es/ BOE – Boletin Oficial del Estado]). The original Real Decreto 558/2001 can be read on the site of the Spanish Government Gazette.

In the decree, the breed is referred to as "Presa Canario". A breed standard is attached in the Royal Decree and it includes having a black coat and specifies a maximum weight.

Any other name or standard is not recognized by Spanish law.

In Spain there are two main organizations which are legally recognized by the Minister of Agriculture, Fishing and Nutrition (according to the requirements set by the Real Decreto 558/2001): the RSCE and the FCE. The term "legally recognized" means that these organizations have the power to inscribe the litters into the official Book of Origins of Spain (LOE – Libro de Orígenes Español).

The FCE recognizes the breed according to Spanish law, and uses the Presa Canario name and standard, as set by the Decreto 558/2001]].

Another recent legal source that identifies the breed is the Decreto 1557/2005]]. This decree also states the breed name as "Presa Canario" and gives the legislative power of official association recognition to the local governments.

Legal restrictions on ownership

Importation and sale of the breed is prohibited in Australia^[21] and New Zealand.^[22]

See also

• Death of Diane Whipple
• List of animal and plant symbols of the Canary Islands

Footnotes

External links

• {{dmoz|Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/Molosser_Group/Presa_Canario/}}