The Perro de Presa Canario, or Canary Dog, originated from the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Originally bred as a multi-purpose farm and guard dogs, they also, unfortunatly, became bred for fighting. The Perro de Presa Canario is becoming increasingly more popular outside its homeland, most notably in the United States.



Although heavily built, the Perro de Presa Canario can move with good athleticism. It's head, like most other Mastiff-type breeds, is a broad, massive square. They also have a square build and stand between 21-26 inches, while they weigh in at 84-106 pounds. The Perro de Presa Canario has a short to medium length coarse coat, which comes in a wide variety of brindle and solid shades, ranging from tans, browns, and blacks.

The Perro de Presa Canario's ancestry is unknown, but one belief is that an established Canary Island farm dog was crossed with the Mastiff and Old-Style Bulldog when colonists began arriving from Europe in the 1700s. Like many fighting dogs this breed became almost extinct with the outlawing of dog fighting in the 1940s. Luckily, because of some very determined breeders, the Perro de Presa Canario was revived in the 1970s.


The Perro de Presa Canario is known for it's calm temperament around its family members, however it should be noted that around strangers it could be an entirely different matter. Presa Canario's were bred to be, and still are, excellent guard dogs, and when confronted with strangers this breed can become dangerous and unpredictable. They do not do well in a multi-pet household, must be well socialized around humans at a young age, and are not recommended for inexperienced dog owners. No matter how well socialized a Perro de Presa Canario's owner should always be wary of allowing them around other dogs, they can be quite dominating and will not hesitate to fight.


Being a large breed the Perro de Presa Canario is prone to hip dysplasia, and to a lesser extent health issues can include, epilepsy, osteochondrodysplasias, and cryptochidism. In Spain they can also carry the canine herpes virus, and an outbreak of herpes can be deadly to any canines, especially puppies. Overall the Perro de Presa Canario tends to be a healthy dog, as there has been little inbreeding into the population, live expectancy is 9-11 years.

A Perro de Presa Canario can live in an apartment, provided it is exercised daily exercise. However, they do best with a yard, as they are fairly inactive indoors.

The short coat of a Perro de Presa Canario requires little grooming.