| Perro de Presa Canario
|
|
|
| Alternative names
|
| Canary Dog
|
| Dogo Canario
|
| Presa Canario
|
|
| Country of origin
|
| Canary Islands
|
| Classification
|
| FCI: | Group 2 Section 2 (provisional)
|
| AKC: | Working (FSS)
|
| UKC: | Guardian Dogs
|
|
| Breed standards (external links)
|
|
FCI, AKC, UKC
|
| Notes
|
The breed has not been fully recognized
by any major breed club except the UKC.
The FCI and AKC recognize it provisionally.
|
The Perro de Presa Canario is a large breed of dog. These dogs have a fierce reputation because they were bred for dog fights.
Appearance
Presa Canarios have thick skin and short fur that comes in gray, fawn, red brindle (red with white), and black brindle (black with red). They weigh from 84 to 106 lbs (38 to 48 kg) and stand 21.5 to 25.5 inches (55 to 70 cm).
History
The breed is originally from the Canary Islands, originating in the 1800s. Its exact ancestry is unknown but might include the English Mastiff and various dog-fighting breeds. Like many fighting dogs, the breed became nearly extinct as the popularity of dog fighting waned, but it was revived in the 1960s by Dr. Carl Semencic, an American veterinarian.
Miscellaneous
The Presa Canario was not well known in North America until two of them attacked and killed Diane Whipple in San Francisco in January 2001.
