Perro de presa canario temperament, training and health issues

Overview: The Perro de Presa Canario dog was bred for working livestock and is a large dog.



They have a Spanish name, which means ‘Canarian catch dog.' They are often known as Presa Canario and Presa.

Appearance: These are large dogs with a muscular and thick body, and a massive and broad head. Dog breeders believe that a good expression and proper head are signs of good breeding. They ears are cropped to prevent any harm or damage while they work with cattle.



Male Presa dogs are 23-26 inches at the withers and weigh a minimum of 100 pounds. Females weigh 85 pounds and are of an average height of 22-25 inches at the withers. They need to be kept in good physical condition otherwise they may not be able to be good work dogs.

Coat and colour: They have varied coat colors that include silver fawn, red fawn, fawn, red brindle, brown brindle, fawn brindle, and reverse brindle.



They have a short coat with no undercoating. Their coat is coarse to the touch. They shed minimally.

Temperament: Perro de Presa Canario puppies and dogs have a strong character. These dominant dogs need to be socialized early and require obedience training. These dogs have a tendency to be aggressive with other dogs and can be wary of strangers. Perras are affectionate and loyal towards their family members, and enjoy getting a lot of attention from their owners. They are tolerant of kids; however they should not be left alone with kids. These dogs are short-tempered and not advisable for someone who is planning to keep a dog for the first time. They need to be exercised regularly as they are hunting dogs and have a high amount of energy. They enjoy sport work, trailing, and tracking.

These days Perras are used in police work to track, search and rescue. They also work in the fields of military and narcotics detection. Perras are also used as guide dogs and can be used to hunt boar as well. Remember that they are not suburban backyard dogs, but make for great companions for dedicated dog owners.

Training: These dogs are a challenge to train, and need firm owners who can handle a dominant puppy. If you are a first-time dog owner, then we suggest that you don't opt for this dog. It is suitable for people who are used to keeping dogs.
Health: This large breed of dogs is prone to getting hip dysplasia. Some of the other health problems that they suffer from include cryptorchidism, demodectic mange, osteochondrodysplasias, epilepsy, skin cysts, patellar evulsions, and patellar luxation.