Presa Canario dog

[Suzi888]

DH has been looking at rescues and come across a Presa Canario dog, not had the best start in life, was bred from and has a few health issues so he’s been in the centre a little while now. Greeder dumped him due to the health issues. The blurb is all good, gentle giant, loves everybody, can live with another dog etc. Looks a bit like a staffie or cane corso to me.

I’ve not heard much about this breed and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one out and about. Does anyone have one? Any health issues? Joint issues? How much exercise?

We’re both used to dogs being strong on the lead etc and we both work from home, large garden and live near a wood.

We’ve not been to see him yet.

This rescue presa has been bred from a backyard breeder. In other words a feckin idiot who thinks he can make a quick buck from other idiots looking to have a 'ard dog. No reputable breeder of a presa canario in the UK is cropping ears. He's been sold on gumtree probably....which means he was bought by some idiot who wanted a "big hard dog".....he certainly hasn't been trained properly by this idiot who owned him, studded him out and then realised he's too much to handle so has relinquished him to the current rescue. This guy at the rescue sounds mad if he's even considering you given you have a young child at home and you, well what do u think you look like being on here asking about rescuing a presa?!

Please, please, don't get this dog. It's too much for u. And yes, I've owned presas.

The very first time I let my whippet pup off the lead, one of these dogs barelled in & started chasing him. Normally big dogs give up a chase but it was relentless.

We looked them up & as people say definitely not a breed for a house with kids. There's a case fairly locally where one killed someone who had been asked to feed it.

I have lots of dogs but an aggressive one is a pain & a heavy, determined one in full pursuit of its intended prey is not a situation I'd want to ever contemplate.

@Lalosalamanca @WhichShoes I already confirmed we weren’t viewing the dog before either of you brought your vast expertise to the mix. 😂

Thank god.

Any dog is a risk, any dog can bite.

I really don't understand comments like this. Yes, technically it's true - any dog can bite but I'd definitely rather take my chances against a chihuahua 😳

These dogs were bred as guardians and for dog fighters - they have been bred to guard and kill. Having one in your home is a huge risk - let alone having one around a small child.

I work with dogs but "deed not breed" is just so idealistic. Some dogs are bred to fight and hurt others and have the physique and strength to prove it. Getting one of those dogs and having it in a family home around children is always going to be more of a risk than if you chose a Labrador, a spaniel or a beagle, for example.

It's worrying that you even considered it tbh. You always wonder who the people are who get these dogs with small children ..

Sorry - under these circumstances I would not touch the breed. I wouldn't recommend a powerful breed like this in a home with a child, and I would not believe a self-styled behaviouralist with an agenda. An dthat is coming from a lifetime experienced owner of dogs with KC qualifications in behaviouralism

@Lalosalamanca are you quite alright? You’ve made up a whole random scenario there. I never said any of those things. Malinois and rottie’s can be dangerous too, how we have survived I don’t know. Anyway I have a feeling you are going to keep making things up, and not actually digesting anything (rescue misheard child’s age) so enjoy your evening.
I’m surprised you didn’t bring a bit more to the table considering you’ve owned a few of them- very disappointing. @Wombat27A sounds …mighty unbelievable, watch out LALO- I hope you’ve fed yours tonight 🤣

@coffeecupsandfairylights already have a lab, I did mention that. Not sure my posts are showing, either that or people don’t read before responding.

You actually are mad mate. And you wouldn't chat like this to me in real life. Which makes me lol. Yeah I'm good. My best advice is get a pet fish. You MIGHT be able to cope with that.

I've read all of your posts 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was just trying to make the point that some breeds are bred to be aggressive and this is one of them. Saying "all dogs can bite" is just silly - a bite from a chihuahua or dachshund is going to be very different to a bite from a breed like a Presa.

Which is why I think you're utterly bonkers for even considering it in the first place. They are literally a breed whose sole purpose is to guard and fight.

As a PP, I lived in the Canaries too. If you search for "Presa Canario atracos niños" you may find more results than searching in English, especially in Canarias7, which is the most read newspaper on the islands. Normally, they are brindled (so, different from the photo you posted), they are big dogs, and you generally see them on roofs or behind big iron gates and high walls. Bred for hunting, and sadly now, illegal fighting. Had a bitch and boy, was she. Known a lot of them - many neighbours had them - and I honestly wouldn't recommend a rescue one wherever it was born. A puppy, maybe, and you say you have big breed experience so...maybe look for one from many of the reputable rescues in Spain and the Canaries who ship puppies north?

@Lalosalamanca Well it would be pointless wouldn’t it. You don’t absorb information.

Whatever you say suzi
Lol.

@FrozZen - Thank you. Only Malinois, Rotties and a lab. Very sad they’re used for fighting.
I’ve always had puppies, but feel there are too many older dogs stuck in rescues. We’re in no rush and happy to wait.

Hi OP. I have a rescue presa. I’d be happy to message / chat if you want and I’ll share details of our ups and downs.

You’re nuts OP. Nuts.

To put your own saviour complex above the safety of your child and potentially other children is just quite frankly ridiculous. Your child will never be able to have a friend over to play.

Don’t allow yourself or your child the chance to become another statistic.

The fact that you would even consider bringing this animal into your home is just insanity plain and simple.

@Burnamer Thank you, very helpful.

Best of luck and good of you to be looking for rescues. There are simply thousands wandering the streets in Spain, Canaries and Portugal because they can't get their act together on Capture, Sterilise and Return programmes. :(

Agreed. The OP hasn't considered the safety of her child in one single post on this thread. Just all me me me, I want a big dog blah blah. One of those idiots who thinks 'it will never happen to me'

@FrozZen Thank you. We already have a large breed from a pup, sadly getting on a bit!

So sad the way animals are treated and discarded.

The wild hysterics on this thread as she is a Malinois owner, I think OP would likely cope fine with any dog. I have a friend with a Presa, a Boerboel and a five year old daughter. Not all big dogs are murderous bastards.

Also@Lalosalamanca you sound very uncouth and I have second-hand embarrassment for you.

This

Not all big dogs are murderous bastards

Nobody has said they are

But Presa's are not just any big dog. They are banned in numerous countries and have been bred to fight and guard. That's their entire purpose. Having one of unknown origin in a house with a 6yo child is utter insanity.

@WhackingPhoenix I'm absolutely OK with whatever you think about me or feel on my behalf. PMSL.

If the op had a malinois and rottie then she wouldn't be on here asking mumsnet of all places about presas.

Nobody is hysterical

Nobody claimed all big dogs are murderous bastards.