If you’re looking for a loyal dog with plenty of energy and a strong personality, the Presa Canario might be right for you. This large dog (they can weigh up to 150 pounds) needs a certain type of owner to thrive, but if you can firmly guide them, you will be rewarded with an intelligent and devoted pet.
However, this breed can be difficult to raise around children and pets if they’re not socialized properly from an early age. Read on to learn more about their character and temperament, then decide if you’re ready to own a Presa Canario puppy in Georgia.
Working dogs
Presa Canarios were bred in 15th century Spain—specifically, the Canary Islands—as working dogs. Their job was to guard cattle and property, which is a useful skill even today. If you live on a large plot of land or want a dog that will fiercely protect its family, the Presa Canario may be right for you.
A strong personality
Presa Canarios are notorious for their strong personalities, which means they need a very specific type of owner in order to thrive. They’re extremely loyal to their family and animal members of the household, but that strong personality means that, at around nine months to a year, their confidence may lead them to become your household’s new “alpha”—replacing you, if you don’t take a firm enough hand with them.
Presa Canarios need a great deal of training and strong boundaries in order to thrive—otherwise, you can expect that this stubborn and dominant breed will be running the house for you. You also need to be careful when introducing them to new people. Should you not be able or willing to learn how to properly guide this breed, you may want to seek out another type of dog.
Relationships with children and other pets
If you have small children or other pets, you’ll want to consider very carefully whether to take on a Presa Canario. If socialized and introduced appropriately, they will quickly form attachments to every member of your household, but they do need to be supervised around small children. Your children will also need to be taught the right way to interact with these dogs. Overall, they are very loyal dogs, but they are also large and strong—small children are no match for them.
As for other pets, Presa Canarios can peacefully co-exist with a variety of other animals, although again, their strong personalities may make them the de facto alpha. However, they do need to be appropriately trained, managed and supervised, as you can never be too careful. Generally, the best match for a Presa Canario is a smaller dog of the opposite sex.
Bringing a Presa Canario into your household is a commitment, but if you’re willing to train these dogs properly, you will be rewarded with a loyal, strong pet that will stop at nothing to protect their household members.
To buy Presa Canario puppies in Georgia, contact D&G Kennels today—we are Georgia’s premier Presa Canario breeders!