The Presa/ Dogo Canario originated from the Spanish owned Canary Islands off the West Coast of Morocco. The Canary Islands name is derived from the latin word canis or dog. When the Islands were explored, they were found to be inhabited by a large and feroicous breed of dogs.
The Presa was originally bred as a working and fighting dog. A large variety of dogs contributed to the development of the breed, including Mastiff, Bulldogs, and cattle dogs. When dog fighting was banned in the 1940's, there was a large decline in the numbers of Presas. In the 1970's, a small dedicated group of people redeveloped the Presa breed into a more modern dog and changed the name to Dogo Canario to further distance the dog from it's fighting heritage. The modern Dogo Canario is licensed through Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
There is a genetically unrelated breed of dogs from South America that physically resemble the true Spanish Dogo Canario. These dogs are also being called Presas. They are registered through Federation of International Canines in Alabama. The American Presas are ocasionally accepted individually into the Spanish line if they pass a personal review by a qualified Spanish judge.
If you are considering a Presa, be sure you're getting what you ask for.
About the Breed
Call (734) 945-9069 or email steeljawkennels@yahoo.com
Islas Canarias-Island of the Dogs
Steel Jaw Kennels . Top Breeder of Spanish Presa Canarios / Dogo Canarios
(734) 945-9069
