The well known Spanish Champion "Urco". Picture from "El Mundo de Perro" with the courtesy of Elias Rodriguez
Following the conquest of the islands, throughout the XVI and XVII centuries there are numerous references to holding type
dogs of the Canary Islands, and it is well documentated. But how and when the dogs arrived is not certain. It is theorized that
these dogs of great size may have existed previously to the conquest or were brought by Spanish conquerors and colonists, or
possibly both.
Although richly documented, at no time does it ever describe the phenotype of these dogs. What is positively
known was the functions for which they were developed. Functions of guarding of the farms, struggling with cattle and even the
extermination of wild and or stray dogs. Based on those functions, it is determined a compact animal, proportionate, robust,
slightly smaller and more functional, but definitely a mastiff type dog.
There are several theories regarding the supposed genetic
contributions to the Dogo Canario. It almost certainly would have received the blood of the Iberian Presa. Given the strategic
location of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, they provided a resort for those enroute to the new world To the islands would
arrive various hispanic breeds, especially the Presa Español in its large varieties or bulldog varieties (Alano). In time and in
isolation of the islands the dog developed into a completely differentiated breed due to the influence of the Spanish Breeds.
Old picture of a Presa, from Juan Arturo Collado's Alano Espanol site
The conquest of the Americas also brought about other changes to the Canary Islands. The downfall of the single crop of sugar
cane came due to Caribbean competition. At that time the islands embarked on the new scene of cultivation of grapevines.
They produced some strains of excellent quality and it was being converted into wine by one of England's main importers. This
new market brought many English colonists, mostly traders and merchants of wine and island fruits, who resided on the islands
either temporarily or permanently, starting from the end of the XV century and continuing throughout the XVIII century.
In England these were the "golden years" of dog fighting and they of course arrived to the islands with their Bandogges and
Tiedogs (predecessors of the Bulldogs and Mastiffs) for faithful guardians of their country properties. The Canary Island
inhabitants, always open to new ideas, soon became enthusiastic participants of this new sport : the fighting of dogs. It should
be noted that at this time this was not practiced on the peninsula. For the fights the Englishmen used their typical gladiator
breeds- bulldogs and bull/terriers- which they brought from their country, but it was inevitable that they would begin the
crossbreeding of their dogs with the "Perro de Presa" existent in the Canary Archipelago.
The NOT extinct Bardino Majorero. Picture by Jonatan Kahlin, june 1998.
All of this is still lacks one final ingredient that completes the Dogo Canario- the Bardino Majorero, a pre-hispanic sheepdog
originating on the island of Fuerteventura, though well spread throughout all the islands. This dog, appreciated for its
intelligence (easily trainable), of great physical resistance, an excellent guardian, dedicated mostly to the management of goat
herds, of little bark, extraordinary set of teeth and an incorruptible courage. The Bardino Majorero was introduced for their
excellent abilities and to improve upon the "Perro de Presa" that was arising due to English influence. These dogs with their
rustic hair of striped "greenish" tonality, referred to as "Verdino" contributed in great part to the typical characteristics of the
Dogo Canario and gave it the characteristics which sets it apart from other molossoide breeds.
This combination of holding dogs
of the land, holding dogs of the continent and the Bardino Majorero, began a new ethnic grouping of holding dogs, of
intermediate size, predominant type and of fiery temperament. New to the traditional functions of guarding and struggle with the
livestock, was added a new and exciting mission, to the delight of most breeders: The Fights.
At left Ch. Brosco de
Haraidan del Valle.
At right Ch. Verdugo de Izaña
Pictures from Elias Rodriguez, Dogo Canario on the Web
As the centuries advanced so did the fighting. They fought the dogs openly and established halls where the best specimens
were gathered and selected for the best attributes to improve the fighting abilities, not for their breed characteristics. Even
through the first half of this century this practice continued throughout all the islands. Verbal history of the old fans testifies to
how they took place, how the challenges arose, and even to who the participants were, etc. According to these old accounts
the owners would come to an agreement as to wether they would witness the fight in silence or if they would incite the animals.
Any spectator could touch or bother the dogs during the battle. The fight could be in one of two forms, with or without collars.
Although the general idea was that the animals were placed inside a circle drawn in the ground, faced front to front and
loosened, the collar often began the matches. It was not an excessively blood spectacle since the Presa grabs and pushes and
doesn't nibble. Rarely were their deaths between contestants because when humbled, their owners would guide them to draw
back from the war. These were not public organized acts, but rather sporadic as the challenges of their owners arose.
Although when a celebration of a fight was know, practically the whole neighborhood participated in the show.
A young Birma.
In the 1940's the prohibition of dog fighting was ordered, although this practice continued discreetly, but only for about a
decade. Beginning at that time and due to the hardening of the authorities to eradicating the fighting of the Dogo Canario, its
numbers decreased and it remained relegated to very few breeders.
Fortunately their stock was maintained, preventing the
total disappearance of the Dogo Canario. This situation was worsened by the introduction of new and strange breeds to the
islands. The German Shepherd (with all of its glory of hero of WWII and it's world wide recognition), the Doberman Pinscher,
the Great Dane, the Neapolitan Mastiff, etc. One important part of the so few breeders it that it allowed the temptations for the
incorporation of the blood of these "new" breeds into the Dogo Canario, that would create a crossbreeding that would leave
the Presa Canario practically unrecognizable. The birth of any "pure" litter prevented the disappearance of the Presa Canario
for good.
Tirma, a daughter of CH. Urco.
Owned by Jonatan Kahlin, Sweden. Picture by Anders Hajem.
Recovery of the Presa Canario
This situation changed radically in the beginning of the 1970's. It was a time that adopted the social attitudes of reunion to
traditions of nearly lost cultures. The attitudes changed from "everything we can get out of it the better" to "conservation,
respect and impregnation of the earth".
The Presa Canario was no exception and with being relegated only to rural areas and
cattlemen, it became the fashion for guardians in the urban areas. This began a slow but continuous recovery of the breed. The
few breeders of those years began contact between them given the shortage of animals available for breeding.
The necessity
arose to control the crossings and attack as a team. That produced quickly, constituting the Club Español del Presa Canario, in
which most breeders of Tenerife, who were responsible for most of the remaining population, took refuge. They also
incorporated to their project, fans of the breed from Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma, establishing
delegations on those islands.
The official record signature was November 12, 1982 and in January 1983, they were recognized
by the Real Sociedad Central as the only official representative for the recovery of the breed.
Aro, pictured at 15 months of age.
Popularization of the breed in the hands of the CEPRC could not have been more qualifying, but was spectacular through their
numerous popular shows that reintroduced the islanders with the legendary dogs that they had heard their parents and
grandparents tell of. As reward of this management of breeding, the demand for information reached unthinkable limits. The
Club Español del Presa Canario negotiated and participated outside of competition of similar breeds on the road to recovery in
the year 1985 at the National Exposition of Tenerife and the years 85 and 86 in the International of Las Palmas in Gran
Canaria.
On October 19, 1986 and June 6, 1987 the first and second specialties for the Presa Canario took place. Reported
entries were of 140 and 80 respectively. On November 1, 1987 a pair of Presa Canario were sent to Madrid, a brindle male
"Facian" from Tenerife and "Marquise" a brindle female from Gran Canaria, in order to be presented at the International
Exposition of Otono in Madrid, as the official presentation of the Presa Canario to the National Authorities and to international
circles.
On January 24, 1989, the official standard of the breed was approved. A historical moment that guaranteed the
permanent position of the Presa Canario as a Spanish dog originating from the Canary Islands. The Presa Canario as the most
popular breed in the Canary Islands, appears with more frequency each year. Each year the Club celebrates and organizes the
Exposition National Monografica (National Specialty Show), in which they gather the best examples of the existent population
in the country and continue the selection and improvement of the breed.
The dogs are analyzed, one by one, by Specialist
Judges in all aspects morphology, temperament, movement and breed expression. The most positive animals are rated in all
categories and the best specimens are recommended for breeding.
At the present time the Club Español del Presa Canario has
completed all of the necessary steps and are now awaiting recognition by Federation Cynological International (FCI).
Taken from translations of the "History of the Presa Canario" CEPRC by Manuel Martin Bethencourt & "History and Theories
Surrounding the Presa Canario" by Miguel Angel Gonzales, Judge and Breeder, CEPRC.
Presa from the late Jan Bracke's stock.
The Presa Canario is a very well built dog, displaying power in its every move.
A well bred Presa Canario are highly praised by its owner, and often described as the total dog. Its temperament is usually very hard,
at the dog can be unfriendly against strangers. The Presa Canario is a protection & guard dog par excellence.
The males are 61-66 cm. (24-26 in) at the withers, while the females is 57-62 cm. (22,4-24,3 in). The weight of
the Presa Canario male usually is 45-57 kg. (99-126 lbs). The weight of the female is 40-50 kg. (88-110 lbs).
The colours allowed on the Presa canario are; all types of brindle, from very warm dark colours to grey or very light brown or blonde. Full range of fawn to
sand- coloured. Black. White markings are not desired and should be very limited. The mask is always dark and may extend around the eyes.
Note that the Dogo Canario was recognized by FCI in 2001, and therefore the name of the breed was changed from Perro de Presa Canario to
Perro Dogo Canario.
The history of the Presa Canario was made available for Molosserworld by Tracy Hennings of
the PCCA.
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