- Perro de Presa Canario
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Perro de Presa Canario 
Perro de Presa Canario Other names Canary Dog
Canary Mastiff
Presa Canario
Dogo CanarioNicknames Presa Country of origin Canary Islands, Spain Traits Classification and standards FCI Group 2 Section 2.1 #346 standard AKC Working (FSS) standard The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. UKC Guardian Dogs standard Notes It is only provisionally accepted by the FCI under the name "Dogo Canario" Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) 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 blood hound," and is often shortened to "Presa Canario" or simply "Presa." The breed is also called Dogo Canario, mean Canarian Molosser.
Contents
Description
Appearance
A portrait showing the breed's distinctive head.
First introduced to the world outside of Spain's Canary Islands by the American Anthropologist Dr. Carl Semencic in an article for Dogworld Magazine and in his books on the subject of rare breeds of dogs, the Presa Canario or "Canary Dog" is a large sized dog with a thick and muscular body.[1] 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.[2]
Males average between 23 to 26 inches (58 to 66 cm) at the withers with a minimum weight of 100 pounds (45 kg) and a maximum weight of 160 pounds (73 kg). Females average between 22 to 25 inches (56 to 63 cm) at the withers with a minimum weight of 85 pounds (39 kg) and a maximum weight of 150 pounds (68 kg).[3] 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.[citation needed]
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.
Coat and color
Silver Fawn
Red Fawn
Fawn
Red Brindle
Brown Brindle
Fawn Brindle
Reverse Brindle
VerdinoThe coat is short with no undercoating and slightly coarse to the touch. The coat comes in all shades of fawn and brindle.[4] 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 FIC standards. White is allowed up to 20 percent[3] 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.
Temperament
Presas are of strong character and are dominant animals requiring early socialization and obedience training.[5][6] In some situations, the Presa can be aggressive toward other dogs and suspicious of strangers.[7] 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.[6]
Trainability
The breed is hard to train. [7]
Health
As a large breed, the Presa Canario can be susceptible to hip dysplasia.[6] Other reported health problems include patellar luxation and patellar evulsions, skin cysts, epilepsy, osteochondrodysplasias, demodectic mange and cryptorchidism.[6] A health issue unique to Spain is canine visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a blood parasite that has a long incubation period (of several years) and most often leads to death.[citation needed]
Lifespan
The average lifespan for the Presa Canario is 8–12 years.[citation needed]
Presa Canario – a legislative basis for the name and standard
The Presa Canario has a solid legislative basis in Spain and it is recognized as such by a Real Decreto (Royal Decree) of the MAPA (Minister of Agriculture Fishing and Nutrition), which was published in the Official Gazette 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 Gazette.
In this authentic legislative source the breed is named precisely as "Presa Canario." A breed standard is attached in the Royal Decree and it includes the black coat and 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 Origines Espanol).
The FCE already recognizes the breed according to Spanish law, which all organizations must respect, and therefore uses the Presa Canario name and standard, as set by the [Real Decreto 558/2001].
[An official document] of the Spanish Government has been issued and sent to the RSCE to warn it and to invite it to modify its regulations.Another recent legal source can be listed to support the correct denomination of the breed, and it is the [Real Decreto 1557/2005]. This decree further confirms the breed name is "Presa Canario" and gives the legislative power of official association recognition to the local governments.
Attacks against people
The breed has acquired negative publicity after being linked to two fatalities: In 2001, 33 year-old Diane Whipple of San Francisco, California was killed by two dogs identified as Presa Canario/Mastiff-crosses and owned by Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel. Knoller and Noel had acquired the dogs from a client who had trained them for fighting. [8] In 2006, Shawna Willey, a 30 year-old Florida woman, was killed by her own dog, a Presa Canario.[9]
Importation and sale of the breed is prohibited in Australia[10] and New Zealand.[11]
Footnotes
- ^ Santana, Clemente Reyes. "El Perro de Presa Canario". ElPresa.com. http://www.elpresa.com/content/view/26/32/. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ "FCI Standard #346 Dogo Canario, Canarian Dog". Dogo Canario Club Of America. http://www.dogocanarioclub.us/standard.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ a b "UKC Standard: Perro de Presa Canario". ElPresa.com. 1 January 2003. http://www.elpresa.com/content/view/33/52/. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ Aguiro, Sergio. "Authentic Perro de Presa Canario". ElPresa.com. http://www.elpresa.com/content/view/29/32/. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ "Perro de Presa Canario FAQ". United Perro de Presa Canario Club. http://www.uppcc.net/FAQ.aspx. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
- ^ a b c d "Perro de Presa Canario FAQ". Dogo Canario Club Of America. http://www.dogocanarioclub.org/faqs.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
- ^ a b "Perro de Presa Canario". Canada's Guide to Dogs. http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/perro.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
- ^ "Murder conviction of woman in dog-mauling case could be reinstated". Advocate. 2 June 2007. http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid45596.asp. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- ^ Dennis, Brady (22 August 2006). "Attraction to exotic dogs was fatal". St Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/22/Pasco/Attraction_to_exotic_.shtml. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
- ^ "Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation 1956". http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_reg/cir1956432/sch1.html. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
- ^ "Another dog added to banned list". http://tvnz.co.nz/content/1929232/423466.xhtml. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
External links
Categories:- Molossers
- Canary Islands
- Dog breeds originating in Spain
- Dog fighting breeds
- Catch dog breeds
- Rare dog breeds
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