Presa Canario 101: How Much Does a Presa Canario Cost?
It’s a well-known fact that the Canary Islands aren’t named after canaries, but nobody’s 100% certain that they’re named after dogs either. Other theories credit seals, lizards, and ancient tribes as the source of the name.
One thing is for certain though, the national animal of the Canaries is a dog, and it’s represented on the countries coat of arms too. This mighty mythical beast is the Presa Canario.
Are you curious to find out more about this interesting animal?
Here we answer all your questions including how much does a Presa Canario cost, what it takes to care for one, and anything else you ever wanted to know about this handsome breed.
Where Does the Presa Canario Come From?
Unsurprisingly, the Presa Canario originated on the Canary Islands between the 15th and 16th centuries.
The dogs were originally bred as guard dogs for farms on the islands and often did double duty herding cattle and protecting livestock from the wild dogs of the island.
The original specimens came from crossing the now extinct Bordino Majiro with imported English mastiffs.
As the risk to farms on the Canaries decreased during the 1800s, people started using the Presa Canario for dogfighting. As a result, the breed almost became extinct when the government outlawed dogfighting during the 1940s.
An American veterinarian, Dr. Carl Semencie, revived the breed during the 1970s. Today its major role is as a guard dog.
What are the Characteristics of the Presa Canario?
If you’ve seen Ramsay Bolton’s Cane Corsa dogs in Game of Thrones, you’ve got a pretty good idea of what the Presa Canario looks like. Despite their similar appearance, the Cane Corsa is more aggressive and has a stronger bite force than the Presa Canario.
The Presa Canario is a large powerful dog with obvious mastiff-like qualities. They’re thickset dogs, with a large, broad, square-shaped head and a serious facial expression. They can reach up to 26 inches at the shoulder when fully grown and weigh up to 130 lbs.
Interestingly, these huge dogs are surprisingly graceful and agile and exhibit cat-like movements.
Most Presa Canario’s have brindle coats, although you might occasionally come across a black one. Traditionally, farmers cropped their ears to enhance the dogs’ aggressive appearance and reduce any chance of injury while working with livestock.
Of course, this practice is illegal now.
Is it Hard to Train a Presa Canario?
Presa Canarios are very large powerful and need a firm hand and consistent discipline. They can get boisterous at times and could easily harm someone unintentionally, so it’s important to teach your Presa Canario absolute obedience from the word go.
You need to have a strong, dominant personality to train this type of dog successfully.
They’re excellent guard dogs with a massive bite force and work very well in a military or law enforcement setting.
How Much Does a Presa Canario Cost to Keep?
Due to their huge size, a Presa Canario costs quite a bit to feed. They need a good quality high-protein diet and plenty of water to thrive.
You’ll never spend a cent on the dog parlor though. They’re well-known for their short, close-cropped coats and low-shedding qualities. Your Presa Canario’s coat will stay sleek and shiny if you brush it once in a while.
Apart from their routine vaccinations, you won’t need to worry about veterinary bills too much either. Presa Canarios are hardy, resilient dogs, and rarely have health issues.
Are Presa Canarios Good Family Dogs?
Presa Canarios are protection dogs and fiercely loyal to their families. When they’re properly trained, Presa Canarios are docile towards family members although they’re wary of strangers.
Their protective nature means that you should introduce new people carefully. They won’t hesitate to attack anything they perceive as a threat.
It’s best to familiarize your Presa Canario with other dogs, cats, and children at a young age.
Due to their large size and boisterous nature, Presa Canario’s aren’t a great match for families with very young or timid children.
Bearing all the above factors in mind, it’s clear that you should introduce your Presa Canario dog into your family when it’s still a puppy.
How Much Does a Presa Canario Puppy Cost?
If you think the Presa Canario seems like a good match for you, be sure to get one from an approved rescue center or legitimate breeder. When you do this, it’s easier to find out about the history of the dog.
A poorly bred or mixed Presa Canario won’t behave true to its breed and one with a history of abuse will need a gentle hand and specialized treatment.
The answer to the question, ‘how much does a Presa Canario dog cost?’ depends on where you get it from. You’ll pay less for a dog from a rescue center since you’re taking more risk, but the average price of all Presa Canarios ever sold is around $1,300.
You can expect to pay anything from $3,400 to $7,500 for a highly bred dog with impeccable bloodlines. The rare black Presa Canario cost more than their brindled relatives.
Find Your Perfect Pup
If the Presa Canario cost doesn’t put you off, you could enjoy a wonderful partnership with one of these loyal, hardworking companions.
These large breed dogs aren’t the best match for everyone though. Many people don’t have the time or energy to make the most of working dog breeds.
Fortunately, there’s a breed of dog to suit every animal lover. So, if you’d like to find out more about some of the different dog breeds or look up information about dogs in general, keep browsing our blog.
