Dogs Types

Canaan Dog

Description: The Canary Dog has a powerful, square head that is nearly as wide as it is long. The muzzle is broad. The chest is deep and broad. The rump is slightly raised. This breed has thick skin, dense bones and powerful muscles and a massive head with a large jaw. The ears are usually cropped. Colors include fawn and various brindles, white markings are sometimes seen.

Country of Origin:The Canary Dog ancestry probably includes the now extinct naive and indigenous Bardino Majero, crossed with imported English Mastiffs. It was developed in the Canary Islands in the 1800's specifically for dog fighting. At one time dog fighting was a common and popular entertainment in most European countries, and breeds were developed specially for their tenacity and endurance. In some countries, such as Ireland, fights were staged in open fields, but more often, as was the case in the Canary Islands, fighting took place in rings or pits. With the outlawing of dogfighting on the island and the introduction of foreign dogs such as the German Shepherd Dog, by the 1960s the breed was nearly extinct. It was revived by the American veterinarian Dr. Carl Semencic.

History: The Canary Islands are well known for their native dogs, the islands were named after the dogs found there when the Spaniards first arrived on the islands. (Canis means Dog). Many people think the islands were named after the Canary Bird, native to these islands but instead, the birds were named after the islands which were named after the native dogs. The dogs first found there were not these dogs, however. The "Canary Dog" was developed much later in time. They guarded the farms, helped catch and hold cattle, and exterminated wild or stray dogs. In the 1940s, the breed began to decline in numbers. It was revived again in the 1970s, when reputable breeders developed and bred Presas true to their original size and character.

Temperament:The Canary Dog requires a very dominant owner who understand the alpha nature in canines. No member of the family can be uncomfortable around the dog. Canaries make outstanding guard dogs. Just their appearance is a deterrent not to mention their ability to confront any intruder. In the wrong hands this dog can be dangerous, but with the right owner it can make a nice, devoted companion. This is not a breed for first time dog owners.

Care: The Canary Dog requires minimal grooming. Brush occasionally and rub with a chamois, if desired, for a gleaming coat. This dog breed is an average shedder.

Training: The Canary Dog needs firm and consistent training. The handler must take the alpha role.

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