It is a dog of unwavering loyalty and incredible innate guarding instincts. But this dog is not for just anyone. Presa Canario is a very tough dog.
They are strong, very territorial, and can be very stubborn as well. They need a strong owner who will know how to show who is in charge.
Early socialization and training are a must!
Presa Canario Size
European lines are more true to the original breed standards. The size is similar to what the American Kennel Club says and that is that both males and females are between 84 and 110 pounds. However, the truth is a bit different.
Most American Presa Canario breeders go by the rule “the bigger the better”. So, females often go from 85 to 110 pounds and males from 110 to 150.
No matter if you choose the bulkier American line or a more slim European, both lines represent powerful, strong, and muscular dogs.
Presa Canario Color
According to the AKC standards, the breed coat colors are:
- Brown
- Silver
- Orange
- Gold
- Fawn
- Tiger
And the accepted markings are brindle and white. Brindle markings are often seen on all six coat color variations. They give the dog a “tiger-like” appearance which makes them even more intimidating.
Presa Canario Trainability
One of the reasons this dog is not for just anybody is their trainability. They are not the easiest dogs to train. You need to be very experienced with training big dogs that lack the necessary motivation for quick and successful training.
Presa Canario dogs are smart but they are stubborn. They won’t do a thing if they don’t see some benefit in the action. They are not very food driven, but can be. If they are not food driven, you have to find something in the command for them to like so that they want to do it.
The key is, like in any other dog breed, to start early with the training lessons. It is even more important for Presa Canarios to start early on because you will need as much time as you can get.
If these dogs sense you are not in charge, they will not listen to you which can be fatal to other dogs and, unfortunately, people.
Also, because of their stubbornness and strength, it is best to leave the training to a professional dog trainer who is experienced with these types of dogs.
Presa Canario Social traits
Another important trait – Presa Canario is not a very friendly dog. They are:
- Not open to strangers
- Not the best with young children
- Not good with other dogs or animals
I know no one wants to hear this about a dog, but Presa Canario dogs will kill if given an opportunity toward strangers. They are amazing protectors and very attached to their owners and household members, but be careful with strangers.
The stranger can be anyone outside the household. It can be a neighbor or your old friend coming to visit you, your aunt, grandma, doesn’t matter. They fiercely protect their territory and will attack if they can.
So what to do? Socialize, socialize, and socialize your dog starting from when they are just a small puppy. But, even then, strong protective instincts of a Presa Canario will shine through if they feel the house or their family (you) is under attack or in danger.
Presa Canario Activity needs
If you are thinking of getting a Presa Canario dog, be sure to think through this decision if you live in an apartment. This dog breed needs a yard.
It is not because they are hyperactive and need constant running around. They need it to stay calm and fulfill their innate nature to protect.
They need to patrol something and be useful. Of course they can stay in an apartment however, they might develop negative mental traits because of lack of territory to protect. They might get destructive or disobedient.
As for daily exercise, one long or two medium walks a day is alright. You can even shorten the walk if you play something that makes them active, such as tug or fetch. Getting them a chewing toy such as a Bone Toy is a must.
Presa Canario Feeding Guide
As always, feeding your dog depends on the age, health, and activity levels. Also, each dog is unique and you need to pay attention to its behavior. Do they leave the bowl empty and beg for more food every time? Do they leave kibble in the bowl and not eat everything?
You can always adjust the amount of food your dog needs according to these questions and health, age, and activity.
But, approximately, an adult Presa Canario needs 3 to 4 cups of high-quality kibble food daily. It is best to divide this into two meals – one in the morning and one in the evening.
If you are not sure whether you should feed your dog kibble, raw, or homemade food, there are two options:
- Ask the breeder you got your dog from
- Consult your veterinarian
Some adult Presa Canario dogs need less than 4 cups a day. Some are perfectly satisfied and healthy with just one cup in the morning and one in the evening.
You do need to pay attention to treats. Too many treats can lead to obesity or lack of desire to eat quality food.
Presa Canario Grooming Requirements
Presa Canario does shed, but not excessively and it’s nothing that can’t be handled with a simple Hand brush or a grooming glove. They have a short and smooth coat and they will need regular brushing once a week or twice a week during the shedding seasons. Occasional bath is also in place to keep your dog healthy, clean, and without the “doggy-odor”.
However, the problem with Presa Canario is that they drool. Some people don’t mind the drool but for those out there that might have a problem with it, Presa might not be a dog for you. Unless you get used to it…
Presa Canario Possible Health Issues
Health of a dog depends on the breeder and how responsible they are when it comes to their breeding dogs. If you work with a responsible breeder, you won’t have a lot of problems with Presa Canario and their health.
Most of them are healthy dogs with usual “big dog problems” such as:
They can also have some eye problems, such as cherry eye (a prolapse of the third eyelid gland). It is a painless situation but it can cause discomfort if left untreated. Treatment is surgical and if done on a young dog, the recovery success is almost 100%.
To sum it up
No matter how much we want a certain dog breed, it is important to seriously think through if we are capable of having that specific dog. Especially if we think about getting a strong, muscular guard dog such as Presa Canario.
They are stubborn, not great with very small children, other dogs or animals, they are very reserved of strangers, and very protective! Presa Canario needs constant attention – you can’t just leave them roaming around hoping they won’t attack someone.
However, you will not find a more protective dog than this one. They will literally protect you with their lives and follow you into the fire if needed. Just remember that they are possibly going to attack anyone on the way to protect you.
