PRESA ENCYCLOPEDIA – Rey Gladiador – Presa Canario breeders in USA Kentucky

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GENERAL INFORMATION'S AND ARTICLES ABOUT PRESA CANARIO

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HISTORY OF PRESA CANARIO
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FAMOUS PRESA CANARIOS
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UNDERSTANDING BREED STANDARD OF PRESA CANARIO

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SPANISH PRESS SCANNED ARTICLES 
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GENERAL INFORMATION’S AND ARTICLES ABOUT PRESA CANARIO

AUTHENTIC PERRO DE PRESA CANARIO

In the origin of the works of recovery there was no agreement between the two clubs that had been created, one in Tenerife and another one in Gran Canaria, which caused important disputes in the recognition of the breed. In Tenerife, in 1982, a group of breeders decided to start team working, forming an association with the purpose of taking ahead the already started recovery of the Presa Canario, by realizing a breeding policy based on a selection program focused on a breed standard that took account of the historical data, of the oral informations passed on by ancient breeders and of the more representative Presa population of those years. It is interesting to point out that in Gran Canaria, and more precisely in the northern part of the island, Manuel Moreno, along with a group of friends, already had started to do the same since the first half of the Seventies, even if anonymously.
(Sergio Aguiar)

BLACK PRESA

The Presa Canario’s black coat has become nothing short of a scandal among the (official ) club’s directors. Some years before this association even came about, I published an article proposing that the Presa Canario’s black coat could have come from crossbreeding with the black Great Dane. Back then I was unaware that there were majorero cattle dogs with black coats. The truth is that in the beginning of the 60’s hardly anybody had done any research at all regarding the origins of these dogs.
(Manuel Curt Gracia)

FIRST PRESA CANARIOS

Every dog fancier is interested in his dogs’ genealogy. Pedigrees of some Spanish and Polish dogs can be found in pedigree database on my web site. But I think that this is not enough. I though that dogs from the past, those that are first dogs in breeding program of recovery of the breed are also very important and we should know some of them. The first and most important breeder was Manuel Curtó and his dogs are those that are in all pedigrees of modern presas. So here you have few of this dogs that played important role in the breed.
(Ewa Ziemska)

GENERAL INFO - SHORT DESCRIPTION OF PRESA CANARIO

Perro de Presa Canario II group FCI – molosser
Origin: Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria) Destination: guard and defend, help with the cattle, hunting, for short time used for dog fights. Now still plays his old functions, but also became show dog and can be used in obedience, weight pulling, protection sports etc.
Character: Very strong. Distrustful for strangers. Has very strong inclinations to guard and defend. From descendents he inherited also instincts to help with the cattle. Temperament is vary impulsive. He don’t bark much, but when he barks his voice is very strong and clear. Very friendly with his family, with strangers can be dangerous.
(Ewa Ziemska)

INTERVIEW WITH JUAN CARLOS ASENSIO "ATLAS ASIO"

In our desire to have a better understanding of the Presa Canario,we have decided to speak to one of the main representatives of the breed in the Iberian Peninsula,Mr.Juan carlos Asensio.Mr.Asensio one of the main introducers of the breed tells us his dogs have the character-temp-,the looks and above all the loyalty towards their master their ancestors used to have,his presas are multipurpose dogs capable of pleasing the most demanding owner. An always controversial Mr Asensio, he has unconditional followers and detractors too,having all this considered,we couldn´t miss this opportunity to speak with him,hoping he would give us his insight and help us understand this amazing breed:El Perro de Presa Canario.

Luis Lozano
Originally published in the spanish magazine “Molosos, terrier y perros de presa” – Year 1998 English translation: Omar Sobarzo Medina, David Espinoza Thanks to: Gabi – Iron Bull

INTERVIEW WITH JOSE RIVAS "CANTADIELLO"

Mr. José Rivas, owner of the Cantadiello estate, is the man who introduced various breeds previously unknown, to the Spanish region of Asturias. A breeder and trainer of surprising character, he was especially dedicated to the German Shepherd and to the Presa Canario. He produced many litters, of which few descendants are left. Dogs of strong health, impressive structure (without excess) and great mobility. Dogs that were good at guarding, (a rare thing nowadays due to the excess of confidence towards strangers of the majority of specimens) and a great ability for fighting. Within his bloodline he always looked for strong dogs but tried to minimize the impact on temperament and mobility. At the present time we can say that few Presas show a functionality comparable to that of this bloodline, as in order to impress with big heads and wide chests, breeders have largely neglected the reason-to-be of a Presa Canario, to protect his owners, properties and himself.
Eduardo Garcia Garcia

THE INS AND OUTS OF PEDIGREE ANALYSIS, GENETIC DIVERSITY, AND GENETIC DISEASE CONTROL

t’s all in the genes As dog breeders, we engage in genetic “experiments” each time we plan a mating. The type of mating selected should coincide with your goals. To some breeders, determining which traits will appear in the offspring of a mating is like rolling the dice – a combination of luck and chance. For others, producing certain traits involves more skill than luck – the result of careful study and planning. As breeders, we must understand how we manipulate genes within our breeding stock to produce the kinds of dogs we want. We have to first understand dogs as a species, then dogs as genetic individuals.
(Dr. Jerold Bell)

EL PERRO DE PRESA CANARIO BY CLEMENTE REYES SANTANA - ENGLISH

Since the most ancient times, the Canary Islands, have been closely linked to the dogs that used to live on them, so much that they owe their own name to them and a part of their history. However, when trying to gather and collect data about these animals, there are several problems which the investigator has to face, and the answers obtained are elusive and confusing. In concrete terms, focusing on the Perro de Presa ("catch dog"), the theories about his origin are based, mostly, on conjecture and on little data coming from our written history or from the scarce archeological ruins.
Clemente Reyes Santana

Juanito con su hija y su nieta en el homenaje de Firgas

JUANITO EL DEL POZO - DOGS, WELLS AND NATIVE SCENES

El garaje de Juanito está lleno de fotos de sus perros de presa canarios (dogo canario, dicen las modernas legislaciones), que le han acompañado durante toda su vida. Un rinconcito, con banco de trabajo, donde hace la labor artesanal de los collares para los nombrados canes. Más allá, en una esquina del fondo, al lado de un retrato de Juanillo El Podrío, algunas piezas hechas por él, que han formado parte de sus belenes, de sus nacimientos. Don Juan, Juanito, ha hecho nacer muchas veces, y no sólo a sus hijos. Juanito también es creador.
Manuel Abrante Luis y José Miguel Perera

Fuerte constitución y robustez en esta hembra de manto bardino de sólo dos años de edad.

PERRO DE PRESA CANARIO FROM PAST AND PRESENT

Quien no ha oído de sus padres o abuelos, vetustos relatos sobre correrías infantiles, en las que al intentar saltar la tapia de alguna finca se encontraran con un perrazo cabezudo que les diera un tremendo sobresalto. Muchos jóvenes de la época rondaban los lindes de las huertas con la pueril intención de asaltar las higueras, nísperos o naranjeros cargados de tentadora fruta, sin sospechar siquiera que muros adentro podía encontrarse un temible centinela que con sólo asomar la cabeza ponía en fuga a cualquier intruso. Pongo esta escena como muestra, porque muchos de nuestros mayores tuvieron experiencias similares que aún no han olvidado y que, a poco que se les induzca, reviven en su dilatada memoria.
Clemente Reyes Santana

WORLD DOG SHOW 2011 PARIS, FRANCE - OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF THE BREED DOGO CANARIO (PRESA CANARIO)

On 07 of July 2011 in Paris was official recognition of the breed by FCI. From now on Dogo Canario / Presa Canario FCI is one of fully recognised breeds with the right to CACIB and competing for International Champion Title. Recognition of the breed on International level was on the World Dog Show in Paris what was announced by judge JAKKEL TAMAS. There were 99 dogs entered and among the 11 from Poland.
Ewa Ziemska

ANTONIO GALLARDO - GRAN TENERIFE KENNELS

I was born on November 28, 1948 and in that same year my family moved to Madrid, Spain. I lived in Spain, in Madrid and Mallorca until the passing of my mother in 1954, at which time we moved to Puerto Rico. I was only a young child the first time I saw a Presa Canario at the Park El Retiro in Madrid. I asked my father “what kind of dog is this?”. He explained to me that it was a dog coming from the Canary Islands that was used as a guard dog.
Antonio Gallardo

ARMANDO TORTES - DE LA DONACIO

MY FIRST CONTACT WITH THE PRESA CANARIO In 1992, I had my first opportunity to see A Presa Canario working. I always liked the dogs with especially gifted for the guard and defense tasks. I had already had several races, but they don´t like me a lot because they were very barking or too quiet or too much dominant with the family. I was working training dogs and they worked well, but something was missing. I was at the club working for long time and one day a guy came with a presa Canario with Cinnamon hair, so stubborn, I didn't notice anything different, but when I saw working this dog, Cinnamon was her name, she impressed me, I had seen many dogs working but none like cinnamon.
Armando Tortes

GABRIEL GALLEGO ARENAS – IRON BULL

¿Quiénes Somos? Mi primer contacto con los perros de presa fue en el año 1990 donde adquirí una pareja de cachorros en Fuerteventura, descendientes estos de perros de las Palmas, si bien tengo que decir que estos cachorros cuando llegaron a su edad adulta no eran lo que yo esperaba de un perro de presa, eran tenaces y combativos pero careciendo del instinto de guarda, con lo cual regalé al macho y cedí la hembra a un familiar con la intención de encontrar un macho adecuado e intentar conseguir algunos cachorros que adquirieran el carácter que yo tanto ansiaba. Después de aquella experiencia probé diversas razas, como Bull-Terrier, Pit Bull, Fila, Rottweiler y Mastín Napolitano, siendo este último el que más se aproximaba a lo que yo entendía que debería ser un perro completo de trabajo.
Gabriel Gallego Arenas

PRESA CANARIO IN POLAND

It’s not an easy topic to talk about Polish dogs. But when writing about presas it is necessary to write about the beginning of presa history in my country. When the first presa’s came to Poland little was known about them (or rather nothing was known). And first presas came to Poland in 1997. Not many people knew how they should look or behave. The best breeding lines also wasn’t known well. First imports came to Artur Tomaszczyk from Gliwice – this where imports from Slovakia. The first litter was born in 12.07.1998 in “Przystań Abelarda” kennel with belonged to Krzysztof Mrozowski from Serock, parents of this litter were dogs brought from Slovakia: Yeyo de Maxorata (Don de Maxorata x Luna) and Bety Hamigo (Sabio x Biasa). In short time came first imports from Spain and Canary Islands. The first dogs with Spanish/Canary origin came to kennels: Presa Awangarda belonging to Paweł Kasprzak, Xanti Land belonging to Agata Olejnik, Merkator belonging to Barbara Pałka, Dolina Rosy belonging to Wojciech Rosa and Validus.
Ewa Ziemska

PAOLO CONSOLANDI – FOUNDER & WEBMASTER OF ELPRESA FORUM

Before starting to describe how the Presa Canario entered my life and how this site was born, I’d like to clarify a point I really care about: I am not (nor I foresee to be in the future) a breeder, but just a simple enthusiast of the Presa Canario; the site, therefore, only aim to be a useful tool provided by a enthusiast for other enthusiasts, without any other interest aside the preservation and the betterment of the breed.
Paolo Consolandi

HISTORY OF PRESA CANARIO

HISTORY OF PRESA CANARIO - BY MANUEL CURTÓ GRACIA

“Plinio and Estacio Seboso thus named the islands (Canaria), making derive their name from the large dogs they found there at the time of Juba’s famous expedition of which two were to the King of Mauritania”. This etymology, which was originally accepted by all later authors who commented on this famous voyage, has been refuted. Undoubtedly, in the Canaries there were no dogs of any extraordinary corpulence. When describing the island, Bethencourt’s chaplains and historians expressly state, “There are pigs, goats, sheep and wild dogs, similar to wolves but smaller”. (Historia General de las Islas Canarias, de Agustín Millares Torres, t. I, libro IV, I.ª ediction, 1975, pág. 176) In Book II, page 134 of the same work we read, “The true similarity between the names given to the islands by Juba’s men and the names they are known by today has been widely disputed. Though curious, this dissertation does not portray that great historic importance which some of our writers have since wished to give to it.
Manel Curtó

HISTORY OF PRESA CANARIO - BY MANUEL MARTIN BETHENCOURT

The domestic animals in the Canarian Archipelago before it was conquered by the Castilian Crown, were part of the aboriginal culture of the inhabitants of the islands. The dog was part of that culture and had many functions. They were used to watch over and heard goats and sheep, which were an important part of the economy for the natives: they were also used as a defense against the many raids made by invading forces: to guard property: or consumed as food, in many cases: and were a mythic and religious symbol. For a mainly pastoral people, as were the natives of the islands, the dog was a fundamental element in the economy.
Manuel Martin Bethencourt

HISTORY OF PRESA CANARIO - BY MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ

A few years following the conclusion of the conquest of the Canary Archipelago, reference is made in the Documents of the Municipal Council of Tenerife to their agreement of February 5, 1526, that in view of the damages produced by dogs to livestock, both small and large, the extermination of the same is ordered, with the exception of the pair which is accepted for the service of the butchers, and it entrusted to Don Pedro de Lugo, who posses two such holding dogs trained to kill. It is probable that these holding dogs were brought to the islands by Spanish conquerors and colonists. Through the XVI and XVII centuries, there are numerous references to the holding dogs Canary Islands as well as other canine breeds, and it is rich in historical documentation following the conquest, particularly in the noted Documents of the Municipal Council of Tenerife, but at no time does it describe the physical characteristics of this dog, but it does explain the function for which they developed.
Miguel Angel Gonzalez

IMPORTANT DATES IN PRESA CANARIO HISTORY

Od lat 70-tych XX wieku rozpoczyna się planowa hodowla. Presa Canario zaczyna istnieć jako rasa. Hodowcy z Wysp Kanaryjskich starają się odszukać nieliczne już egzemplarze rasy na których ma się oprzeć późniejsza hodowla. 12 XI 1982r w La Laguna, Tenerife zostaje powołany do życia klub Perro de Presa Canario. Za cel stawia się rekonstrukcję rasy i jej zarejestrowanie. W „Conserjeria de Agricultura del Gobierno de Canarias” (Kanaryjskie Ministerstwo Agrokultury) złożono wstępną propozycję wzorca. Napisano tam tryptyk na którego okładce znalazł sie „FELO”. Tryptyk ten został rozesłany do wszystkich zainteresowanych.

Ewa Ziemska

PANCHO "THE KING"

In those dates (decade of the 70´s) don Pancho de La Paz Hernandez, nicknamed the King, was around eighty years old -he was born in 1895-, was of medium stature, rose face, dark eyes very vivacious, alway with hat (I never saw him without hat) of dark felt or something similar, and covered with a esperancera (of La Esperanza) blanket -variety of layer of white virgin wool probably of Castilian origin with three or four transverse strips of black ewe wool below-. When we arrived was seated in a bench of wood at the entrance door, the man no longer saw or at a distance, for that reason when he heard us he made since usually they make the old dogs, sharpen the view as if was night or getting dark.
Manuel Curtó

PERICO, PESA CANARIO FROM 1927

I was so entertained reading the “Origin of the pure arabian blood, legend and truths”, of the book, the Pure Arabian Blood, of Kristian Fenaux, when rang the phone. Hello, yes, I am Manuel Curtó. Who called me was a young Gallego (from Galicia), fan of the Perro de Presa Canario, to say me that in the magazine Aviòn Revue, Num. 218, August 2000, appears a Perro the Presa Canario of year 1927. It is worth that you obtains the magazine, insisted. I do not remember the name of the Galician boy, who said me, also, that he had read my book, “The Perro de Presa Canario, its true origin”, that had requested me it by phone years ago. Dear friend,from this web site, I profit the occasion to thank you.
Manuel Curtó

SHORT HISTORY OF PRESA CANARIO BY MANUEL MARTIN BETHENCOURT

In his book “Historia General Sobre Las Islas Canarias” (General History of The Canary Islands) historian Augustin Miralles Torres comments that the islands took their name from the big dogs that were found of them, it and of two of those animals taken to the king of Mauritania in the times of the expedition of Juba. Described are facts that dogs took place in myths and funeral customs and even were part of the diet of aborigines of the islands. Demons appeared to them as big fleecy dogs named “Tibicernas” on the island of Gran Canaria and “Irnene” on the island of La Palma. Mummified bodies of dogs have been found beside their masters as a guide to the great beyond. They also consumed the meat of castrated dogs in small percentages, and evidence of this has been found by archaeologists.
Manuel Martin Bethencourt

MEMORY OF DOGS DE LOS BALDIOS

La finca de Los Baldíos está situada hacia el suroeste de la Ciudad de La Laguna, a unos tres kilómetros aproximadamente. El pasaje se sitúa a la izquierda conforme se avanza hacia el barrio de San Miguel de Geneto. Flanquean la entrada de la finca dos largas hileras de viejos eucaliptos, inmutables a través del tiempo, testigos de innumerables estaciones, que se inclinan uniformemente, diría que con reverencia, ante el viento Norte que los agita continuamente. Los fuertes árboles, membrudos, de poderosa envergadura, prestan identidad a la finca y se destacan en lontananza de forma inconfundible, en una zona donde el arbolado es poco abundante. Desde tiempo inmemorial Don Víctor Fuentes, al igual que lo hiciera su padre, consintieron el paso a través de la hacienda a numerosas familias que habitaban los terrenos situados al sur de la misma, las cuales utilizan esta gracia como atajo para acceder a los próximos pagos de Geneto y Llano del Moro.

DOGS ON TENERIFE - TIMES OF THE CONQUEST BY EDUARDO PEDRO GARCIA RODRIGUEZ

s un hecho conocido, que los mercenarios castellanos se servían de perros mastines en sus mesnadas. Estos perros, perfectamente amaestrados para atacar, causaban verdaderos estragos entre los combatientes del bando contrario, siendo por consiguiente un arma terrible y mortal en manos de los conquistadores, quienes la emplearon profusamente en las conquistas de Canarias y América. En ocasiones azuzaban a estos perros contra mujeres y niños por simple divertimento, cruzando apuesta sobre qué perro sería el primero en descuartizar a su indefensa víctima.
Eduardo Pedro García Rodríguez

STORIES OF PANCHO SAAVEDRA

MI PADRE Francisco Saavedra Bolaños nace en la calle Miguel de Muxica en La Montaña de Galdar, el dos de Febrero de 1914. Hijo de Francisco Jacinto Saavedra Saavedra y Catalina Prudencia Bolaños Aguiar, era el cuarto de siete hermanos: Juan, Eusebio, Pino, Francisco, Antonia, Matias,Sebastián y Catalina.
Contaba mi abuelo que en esa larga travesia hablaban de las cosas que quedaron atras; de sus mujeres , sus hijos y de las buenas razas de cabras que tenian en esta tierra galdense. Mi abuelo Pancho decia que tenía una gran raza de cabras y maestro Pedro “el chuchango” también le decía que sus cabras eran de una gran calidad, ofreciéndole a mi abuelo para cuando volvieran de Cuba una machorra.

MAJORERO IN PRESA OR DOGO CANARIO

Está claro que el perro majorero que ha llegado a nuestros días al menos desde unos siglos atrás, se fue tallando de tal manera sobre un tronco principal, sin grandes alteraciones o cambios por mezclas que tenminó confinmando un can de fuerte genética, recio, sobrio, duro ante el sacrificio, capaz de soportar altas temperaturas o intensos fríos en Fuerteventura baja en ocasiones bastante la temperatura por las noches y más se nota cuando hay humedad o fuerte brisa marina- y conocemos al menos dos casos en que demostró, en Gran Canaria y en Andalucía, no arredrarle la nieve, adaptándose a la misma algo bien lejano a lo que sucede en la vieja Maxorata.
Antonio Cardona Sosa

FAMOUS PRESA CANARIOS

UNDERSTANDING BREED STANDARD OF PRESA CANARIO

THE EXPRESSION OF PRESA CANARIO

Every breed of dog is identified and is differentiated from other canine varieties thanks to a number of genotypical and phenotypical characteristics. Between these differentiating aspects there is one that is especially evident, and that is of total and absolute importance for a breed: the head
Without undervaluing the importance of good structure, good bone, adequate muscular development, typical movement, a firm and equilibrated temperament, and a good harmony between his proportions, from a breed point of view it is clear that the head defines, at first sight, the rest of the animal.
Clemente Reyes Santana

COMMENT TO BREED STANDARD

I. NAME AND SYNONYMY
The official and widely accepted name is CANARIAN DOGO, although in days gone by, traditionally the most common name in Gran Canaria was “GRIPPING DOG” (‘GRIPPER’), due to the variety of colors, all which were acceptable, and in Tenerife, the most common name was “VERDINO” (BRINDLE), as the majority of the dogs were that color. The name “VERDINO” is not the same as “BARDINO”, as ‘bardino’ is the color of the bardino majorero. The color ‘verdino’ was the result of the mixing of ‘bardino’ with fawn and white; which means that it is exclusive to the ‘gripping’ dog, is greenish in color, short, dull and fairly rough. The name “PERRO BASTO” (meaning something like “rough dog”), according to oral tradition, differentiates the dog from the hunting dog or “PODENCO”, which was known as the “FINE DOG”.
Ewa Ziemska

COLOUR OF PRESA CANARIO - PART 1

Sitting here with a dog next to me, her head on my lap, eating some baked apples and killing time of this wet, dark and definitely to long winter evening I decide to write. Just simple, short note about color of Presa Canario – to be precise. How little did I know of the trouble I’m getting myself into (laughs). Every answer brings another question and every question digged deeper and deeper. From the complicated organism we see in a dog to the chemical reactions and very simple little parts of mechanism making it all possible. How to explain one without another? Truly complicated task and at the same time beautiful, explaining also how everything we know is made – genetics.
Ewa Ziemska

PRESA CANARIO IS NOT A UNIFORM BREED

One of the things with always make me wander are all those comparisons, silhouettes: this one if presa this one is dogo… And one showing photos of two dogs that are different one from another with some conformation traits traits to prove a point of his or hers views. But how? By showing something totally out of context? Presa Canario is and was a very diverse breed, with lots of things that make you look at the dog and say: this is Presa Canario. You can also put one to another two very different dogs and say: this ar both Presa Canarios.
Ewa Ziemska

UNDERSTANDING BREED STANDARD – SKULL

It’s length represents 60% of total length of the head. In general is as long as wide. Skull seen from the side is slightly convex on top starting from occipital bone with shouldn’t be visible and covered with muscles. Convexity of the skull have it’s finish at frontal bone with is basically flat. Skull as total can never be vaulted. Frontal sinus is divided with a grove of around 1/3 length of the head. Skull is covered with abundant and loose skin, forming small wrinkles, of regular aspect, movable and of great expression. This wrinkles are important and determine typical appearance of the dog.
Ewa Ziemska

UNDERSTANDING BREED STANDARD – SIZE AND DIMENSIONS OF PRESA CANARIO

Size and dimensions of Presa Canario – I was thinking with numbers to use but because there are so many slight differences in this I decided to stick with original writing of the book I use as reference (M.M.Bethencourt), this numbers are description of what was described as most desirable and even with slight differences among standards it’s still very accurate.
High in the withers:
Males: 60 to 64 cm (61-66 cm for standard 1989 and 60-66 cm current FCI standard 2011)
Females: 55 to 60 cm (57-62 cm standard from 1989 and 56-62 cm current FCI standard 2011)
Ewa Ziemska

UNDERSTANDING BREED STANDARD – CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT

I was going to post this as comment on Presa grup but as it would just be scrolled down in a few and lost I thought I’ll keep it here. Mys Spanish is of very simple nature, and English isn’t my first language so excuse me possible errors of this translation. Translations themselves have always a margin of interpretation of some word, and also one must know some of wider background to know with word to use exactly.
Ewa Ziemska

SPANISH PRESS SCANNED ARTICLES