Presa Canario Knowledge/Experience

[kbuchanan66]

Just wondering how many Presa Owners we have around here lately? I have a couple questions about this breed.

1. Are they Very Stranger Danger? It describes them Aloof of strangers which is basically what they say of most the Mastiffs lol.
2. Specifically dog aggressive or is it more same sex aggressive?
3. Do they have a lot of drive? Like Prey drive?
4. Energy Levels in general? 5. Ease of training? From what I have read they sound very hard headed and stubborn while I know I could handle it I think my Boyfriend would feel defeated by this breed.
5. Protection/Territorial? Is this one of the breeds where it will be a whole lot of work just to get them used to having people over in my house. Or more Fila where I will never be able to have anyone over ever?
6. How are they with Children? Involved or more indifferent?

Any other information would be great if you have it. I am here to learn

 

[njgautier]

I own a 10 week old puppy and I've done a lot of research on the breed. I'll answer the questions to be of my knowledge. 1. They are very wary of strangers. My 10 week old pup already exhibited this with the cable man growling and barking. 2. I've seen some very dog aggressive presas they require a lot of early socialization my pup is already tugging and biting on my bulldog. 3. Prey drive is definitely lacking they have some prey drive but not anything like a malinois rottweiler or gsd 4. So far my pup has a ton of energy and it seems to increase each day hopefully he'll calm down as he gets older so far he seems very intelligent and very easy to train except getting him to walk on a leash is a challenge to say the least. 5. All of the dogs I've looked at before getting my puppy were very calm and confident I walked in a couple yards with the owners and was able to pet and handle the dogs with out any problems but as soon as the owner was out of the site the dogs went into full guard mode. 6. ive read they need to be socialized early with children and a family setting so there isn't any issues later. Lastly the breed is very challenging and inconsistent as far as temperament is concerned you may get a super high drive working dog or a milder type of animal

 

[kbuchanan66]

Oh well Thanks you very much for your information! I don't think I have ever met or seen one in person so I was doing research after finding out about them. As you know with most breed descriptions it gives a vague idea but nothing is better than talking to owners who have 1 on 1 with the breed.

 

[ZEBO75]

My pup just turned 6 months so I have limited first hand experience but researched for over 2 years before making a decision. I disagree with njgautier about Presa Canarios not having drive. My pup has too much drive and chases anything that moves. Dog aggression is not an issue at this point but he's very dominant and tries to mount other male dogs. I correct it when he does this because this can easily cause a fight. I can see dog aggression in the future and I'm prepared for it. My pup is very alert and has a keen quardian instinct. He doesn't bark excessively and is pretty quiet for the most part. So far he's ok with strangers as long as I'm ok with them. This is a very stubborn breed but feel that some people exaggerate when they say that a Presa Canario his hard to train. Presa Canarios are confident and a skiddsh dog is a major fault to the breed.

 

[kbuchanan66]

My pup just turned 6 months so I have limited first hand experience but researched for over 2 years before making a decision. I disagree with njgautier about Presa Canarios not having drive. My pup has too much drive and chases anything that moves. Dog aggression is not an issue at this point but he's very dominant and tries to mount other male dogs. I correct it when he does this because this can easily cause a fight. I can see dog aggression in the future and I'm prepared for it. My pup is very alert and has a keen quardian instinct. He doesn't bark excessively and is pretty quiet for the most part. So far he's ok with strangers as long as I'm ok with them. This is a very stubborn breed but feel that some people exaggerate when they say that a Presa Canario his hard to train. Presa Canarios are confident and a skiddsh dog is a major fault to the breed.

That is very helpful thank you. I suspected that this breed may not be for me. I am not a high prey drive in a dog kind of gal. I prefer a dog that will just watch a squirrel run by and not even bat an eyelash or see a rabbit and not drag me behind him at it. Lol (I know a proper trained dog shouldn't) I have a lab that will take off after a scent and it takes us 10 minutes of whistling and calling before he will return where my Rott/mastiff will not as that would mean letting us out of his sight.

 

[ZEBO75]

That is very helpful thank you. I suspected that this breed may not be for me. I am not a high prey drive in a dog kind of gal. I prefer a dog that will just watch a squirrel run by and not even bat an eyelash or see a rabbit and not drag me behind him at it. Lol (I know a proper trained dog shouldn't) I have a lab that will take off after a scent and it takes us 10 minutes of whistling and calling before he will return where my Rott/mastiff will not as that would mean letting us out of his sight.

If you don't want a dog with too much drive I would go for an EM or BM. They also don't require as much excercise as some of the other high drive mollosers. Even in these breeds you can find dogs with more drive than the norm.

 

[kbuchanan66]

Oh of course it all depends on what the breeder is breeding for.

 

[chauncey]

10 month old reverse brindle male presa
1.was not skiddish around strangers as puppy but now very wary and keeps distance sometimes barks.
2.loves being around other dogs.
3.pretty good around my 2 cats and chinchilla. once tried to nudge a bird along that was having difficulties.
4.has an energetic moment daily overall calm. very easy to train can be stubborn at times. will definately test for dominance.
5.seems he will be protective. kind of don't want to get into the rough stuff with him recently. not territorial like a cane corso i know but has moments were he doesn't want to be bothered.
6.great with children.
socialize early, obedience train, trick train, don't let them dominate. only bad thing with mine is walking. will pull, very powerful in the upper body. girlfriend can't walk him and i try to keep him by my side and not let him in front.

 

[kbuchanan66]

Well Yours does not sound too bad. I can imagine the strength in this dog.

 

[Steve Allen]

Here is my experience with my 3 year old neutered male I picked from a litter at 6 weeks, brought home at 8 weeks.
All dogs are of course different but there are some breed tendencies.

1. Are they Very Stranger Danger? It describes them Aloof of strangers which is basically what they say of most the Mastiffs lol.
Aloof for sure. Now willing to be introduced and petted but still suspicious. Much better as he matured and was trained and socialized.
2. Specifically dog aggressive or is it more same sex aggressive?
Dante decides what dogs he likes and what dogs he doesn't like. I generally keep him away from stranger dogs. Dogs he has been introduced to and that he sees occasionally he is fine with. Always be prepared for a fight and know how to separate fighting dogs. Carry pepper spray when walking just in case you have to separate your dog. What if some other unleashed dog runs up to your Presa. Always be prepared for the worst situation.
3. Do they have a lot of drive? Like Prey drive?
Naw. Not so much. Wants to be with you, guarding you, lying at your feet. Not running around chasing things.
4. Energy Levels in general?
Low energy unless called to duty. Then stand by as he will charge at whatever he is guarding against. He will stand between you and the threat.
5. Ease of training? From what I have read they sound very hard headed and stubborn while I know I could handle it I think my Boyfriend would feel defeated by this breed.
Easily trained. Smart. Wants to please once you establish you are Alpha.
Walks at my knee on or off leash.
Never allowed to pull on a leash. Used prong collar for initial training. Know how to use a prong collar properly it is not a choke chain.
5. Protection/Territorial? Is this one of the breeds where it will be a whole lot of work just to get them used to having people over in my house. Or more Fila where I will never be able to have anyone over ever?
Once socialized will tolerate guests no problem. Simply tell your guests to ignore him until he checks them out, gets comfortable, and comes up to them. Gets used to regular guests and is happy to see them. Usually just lays around when people are over. I keep him in our bedroom until he gets used to the sounds of a particular gathering and then I bring him out and introduce him.
6. How are they with Children? Involved or more indifferent?
Like children they are raised with or know. Don't let stranger children approach incorrectly, i.e., rushing, grabbing, screeching.

Best dog I ever have had. Most loyal. Intensely bonded with immediate family. Guards its property, its people and its pack. Lives in the house. Doesn't need or want much exercise, daily walk is enough. Weird "awareness" of what is going on around him. All the time. Always watching even when it looks like he is relaxing. Growls to voice his displeasure giving time to back away. hasn't "snapped" to bit except one time when about 9 months old and a lady on a trail unexpectedly grabbed his head to hug him. One snap, tooth grazed her cheek, blood. We all learned from that.
Be careful this is a dog that has the power to inflict a massive bite. Do not let people run up and hug this dog. It is a guardian breed and is on guard 24/7.
It works for us to tell people to treat him like a police dog. People understand this directive and don't rush up to pet him.



Dante as a pup and his sire Nemesis (ears cropped)

Dante in guard mode and relaxing

Best wishes,
Steve

 

[kbuchanan66]

Thank you for the information Steve! He sure looks intimidating in Guard mode lol.

 

[lizzy_troy]

Wow, Nemesis is stunning!!

I don't know much about Presas, so I was browsing their sub forum for info. Not the dog for me or my family at this season in our lives. But they are amazing!