It has been discussed much lately, between breeders and fans, about the size (height, width, length and weight) that must have the Perro de Presa Canario. And is clear that there was, and are, opinions for all the tastes, predominating, of course, the idea of the big, but really big dog, with much head, enormous, that is, much chest, and much bone. For these breeders and fans, nationals and foreign, the official standard of the breed has its importance, but in short, if the dog is well proportionate it does not matter that it exceed centimeters, and kilos. They don´t say, if the dog is good, lack importance that is below the minimum 2 centimeters (0,787 inches) and weighs (only) 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
Not long ago, a friend said me, “we must see when a Presa Canario dog is small, or big, and why…”
For me is clear, I replied him, small in excess is the one that is below the minimum of the standard, and big in excess the one that is over the maximum of the standard.
Clear that if we rely on the standard with which the Federation Cynologique International has recognized (under denomination Dogo Canario) the Perro de Presa Canario, this one is in 60-65 cm (23,6-25,5 inches), at the shoulders, and 50 kilograms (110,23 pounds) of weight (minimum) for the males; for the females 56-61 cm.(22-24 inches), and 40 kilograms (88,1 pounds) of weight (minimum).
As you can see, as well as there is maximum and minimum for the height in both sexes, is a minimum of weight for both sexes but not a maximum.
Was a disregard of so important detail?, it is norm of the FCI to don’t put a top in the maximum weight? I do not know it, but I know that from the absence of this maximum, ominous consequences for the breed are being derived (already).
In the standard approved and accredited in its time by the Royal Central Canine Society of Spain the height at the shoulders for the males was 59-64 cm (23,2-25,1 inches), weight 42-50 kilos (92,5-110.2 pounds); the height at the shoulders for the females 55-59 cm.(21,6-23,2 inches), and 38-45 kilograms (83,7-99,2 pounds) of weight.
Later, in the modified standard product of consensus between the breeders of both Canary provinces, new parameters were established (that the Royal Canine Society of Spain accepted), 61-66 cm. (24-26 inches) of height at the shoulders and 45-57 kilograms (99,2-125,6 pounds) for the males; for the females 57-62 cm. (22,4-24-4 inches) of height at the shoulders and 40-50 kilograms (88,1-110,2 pounds) of weight.

The standard is, or must be, the guide by means must be oriented the breeder, and the judge who judges presa canario.
Clear that if the standard does not have, as we have seen, a top in maximum weight, any breeder can produce –in fact is happening -, because he likes, or because there is a customer who demand it, dogs of 70 or 80 kilograms (154-176 pounds), we must ignore such deviation? And on the other hand we must ask ourselves, is beneficial for the evolution of the breed?
The weight of the Presa Canario Dog must be in direct relation with the height at the shoulders and its length. If a unit measures 65 cm (25,5 inches). At the shoulders (that is the maximum authorized) and weighs 70 kilograms (154 pounds), we are in front a disproportion improper of the breed.
It is clear that is the man who makes the canine breeds and, if he want, can turn them into true deformities, but, is that what we want for the Perro de Presa Canario?

The Presa Canario dog is a working animal, and like so, it must conserve the proportions that are inherent to him, otherwise, by defect or by excess, we will excessively limit its capacity for the work.
From last years to the present we have seen award in exhibitions of beauty presas canarios that exceed considerably the average standard proportions, mainly the related ones to the weight, for that reason most of the time, they stay lying wherever they are.
And, in fact, there are breeders that boast to breed dogs of 70 or 80 kilograms (154-176 pounds), even in the Canary Islands.
I remember that a friend of Gran Canaria, in a visit that made to my kennels about three years ago, said me that he had presas of 80 kilograms (176 pounds); soon after, another friend, this time of Tenerife, said me that he had presas of more of 80 kilograms; and from several countries, people had requested me presas canarios with that weight.
To these people I always say the same thing: those dog can be anything except Presas Canarios.

Fortunately, in the last years are not few the fans of the Presa Canario Dog that they like to work with their dogs, that benefit, without doubt, the image of the breed, by one side, and its selection, by another one -, and they know, by own experience, that the Presa Canario of 60 kilograms (132 pounds) gets tired long before that the one of 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
Also it is necessary to say that the immense majority of the fans to the Presa Canario Dog, are not in favor of the work and the training and what they hope of their dog is that this one be good with the family and that keeps and defends its territory naturally.
The guardian dog not necessarily must be slight (50 kilograms-110 pounds), can also serve with 60 kilograms, 132 pounds, (not more, because otherwise it will be another thing and not a Presa Canario, as it has already been said), and to be really effective it must have a strong guard instinct, that mean, must be territorial and distrusted with the strangers.
Clear that so that a Presa Canario behaves as such dog of guard (territorial and distrusted with the strangers) must be raise outside the reach of the caresses of the strangers. This does not mean that you cannot walk him and that he will not respect the people that pass near him in the street, field, etc.; One say, simply, that it must not have physical contact with strangers.

Few weeks ago I traveled to mainland, -I live in Tenerife, Canary Islands- with five presas canarios and two females of Majorero Dog, -canine breed this one very little known outside the Canary Islands, on which I have written in several occasions- with the purpose of obtaining its Breed Confirmation (apt for breed). It is known that previous the Breed Confirmation, the Spanish canine breeds must compete in exhibition. Therefore I competed with my dogs, in its different categories (that they have to do with its respective ages). In Open Class Male (adult dogs) the judge left winner to a dog mine of 52 kilograms of weight (115 pounds). In second place, a unit of 63 centimeters (24,8 inches) at the shoulders and 64 kilograms (141 pounds) of weight. When seeing the result, the owner of this male got very upset, and scolded and insulted, in very bad way, to the judge.
This behavior usually occurs with some frequency between exhibitors that brag of breeders (and connoisseurs of the standard), and they spite saying that the judge does not have nor idea of the breed.
I, to this exhibitor, willingly would say him, that a Presa Canario Dog of 63 centimeter (24,8 inches) height, does not have to weigh more than 54 kilograms (119 pounds) maximum.
The aforesaid presa exceeded 10 kilograms (22 pounds); and immediately afterwards I would asked him, by the certificate of Free of hip Dysplasia of his dog, because I had the feeling that his hips (those of the dog) are not, to say it someway, very healthy.
This dog already has been awarded by specialist judges, that is, of the Spanish Club of the Presa Canario Dog, with two CAC, and I will not be surprised if soon it win the championship of Spain. Already somebody is saying, in Internet, that is the best stud of Europe. And I say, in what are based to say that such dog is best stud of Europe?
So that a Presa Canario Dog can be considered a good stud must belong to a family of recognized quality in several generations back, height and weight standard, correct morphology, phenotype, complete mouth, bite in scissors, free of dysplasia of hip and elbows, good character, guard instinct, temperament, psychic balance, fertility (and able to transmit to his offspring all these qualities).
With excessive frequency CHAMPION (of Monographic, of Spain, of Europe, of what this be) is confused with optimal reproductive quality, and that is a big mistake. Most of the dogs (in our case the Presa Canario), males and females, lacks value like reproducers.
To put offspring of the CH this and the CH that in the adds that are inserted in special magazines, Internet, etc., by means of which informs into the sale of puppies, certainly induces to not few people to buy, and then to brag about his dog that is son of champions. But that has to do with the quality? No, it is clear that it does not have to do.
The selection, the true selection of the Presa Canario Dog nothing has to do with these practices of cynophilia.
For the exposed reasons, I always say that that is the easy cynophilia (that without doubt sells very well), that excessively harms the evolution (positive) of the canine breeds in general.

Manuel Curtó Gracia

¿PERRO DE PRESA CANARIO GRANDE, PEQUEÑO?

Mucho ha estado en el candelero la discusión entre criadores y aficionados acerca del tamaño (altura, anchura, longitud y peso) que debe tener el Perro de Presa Canario. Y de más está decir que ha habido, y sigue habiendo, opiniones para todos los gustos, predominando, claro está, la idea del perro grande, pero grande de verdad, con mucha cabeza, enorme, eso es, mucho pecho, y mucho hueso. Para estos criadores y aficionados nacionales y extranjeros el estándar oficial de la raza tiene su importancia, pero en fin, si el perro está bien proporcionado no importa que se pase unos centímetros, y unos kilos. No dicen, si el perro es bueno, carece de importancia que esté por debajo del mínimo dos centímetros y pese (sólo) 50 kilogramos.
No hace mucho, un amigo me decía, “Habría que ver cuándo un perro de Presa Canario es pequeño, o grande, y por qué”.
Para mí está claro, le respondí, pequeño en exceso es el que está por debajo del mínimo del estándar, y grande en exceso el que está por encima del máximo del estándar.
Claro que si nos atenemos al estándar con el que la Federación Cinológica Internacional ha reconocido (bajo la denominación Dogo Canario) el Perro de Presa Canario está en 60-65 cm. a la cruz, y 50 kilogramos de peso (mínimo) para los machos; para las hembras 56-61 cm., y 40 kilogramos de peso.
Como pueden ver, así como hay máximo y mínimo para la altura en ambos sexos, hay un mínimo de peso para ambos sexos pero no un máximo. ¿Se les pasó por alto detalle tan importante?, ¿es norma de la FCI no poner un tope máximo? No lo sé, pero sí sé que de la ausencia de este máximo se están derivando (ya) nefastas consecuencias para la raza.
En el estándar aprobado y homologado en su día por la Real Sociedad Central Canina Española la altura a la cruz para los machos era 59-64 cm, peso 42-50; la altura a la cruz para las hembras 55-59 cm., y 38-45 kilogramos de peso.
Posteriormente, en el estándar modificado –producto de consenso entre los criadores de ambas provincias Canarias- se fijaron nuevos parámetros (que la Real Sociedad Canina Española aceptó), 61-66 cm. de altura a la cruz y 45-57 kilogramos para los machos; para las hembras 57-62 cm. de altura a la cruz y 40-50 kilogramos de peso.
El estándar es, o debe ser, la guía por la que debe orientarse el criador, y el juez que juzga presas canarios.
Claro que si el estándar no tiene, como hemos visto, un peso máximo tope, cualquier criador puede producir –de hecho ya está ocurriendo-, porque le gustan, o porque hay una clientela que los demanda, perros de setenta u ochenta kilogramos, ¿debemos tomarnos a la ligera semejante desviación? Y por otro lado cabe plantearse, ¿es beneficioso para la evolución de la raza?
El peso del Perro de Presa Canario tiene que estar en relación directa con la altura a la cruz y su longitud. Si un ejemplar mide 65 cm. a la cruz (que es el máximo autorizado) y pesa setenta kilogramos, nos encontramos ante una desproporción impropia de la raza. Está claro que es el hombre quien hace las razas caninas y, si se le antoja, puede convertirlas en verdaderas deformidades, ¿pero es eso lo que se quiere del Perro de Presa Canario?
El Presa Canario es un animal de trabajo, y como tal debe conservar las proporciones que le son propias, de lo contrario, bien por defecto o por exceso, limitaremos sobremanera su capacidad para el trabajo.
De unos años a esta parte hemos visto premiar en exposiciones de belleza presas canarios que exceden considerablemente las proporciones medias estándar, sobre todo las relacionadas con el peso, de ahí que la mayor parte del tiempo permanezcan echados donde quiera que se encuentren.
Y, de hecho, hay criadores que presumen de criar perros de setenta u ochenta kilogramos, incluso en Canarias. Recuerdo que un amigo de Gran Canaria, en una visita que hizo a mi criadero hace unos tres años, que me dijo que él tenía presas de ochenta kilogramos; al poco tiempo, otro amigo, esta vez de Tenerife, me dijo que tenía presas de ochenta y pico kilogramos; y de varios países me han pedido presas canarios con ese peso.
A estas personas siempre les digo lo mismo: esos serán cualquier cosa menos perros de presa canarios.

A mí me parece que el Perro de Presa Canario debe estar entre los 50 y 60 kilogramos; las hembras diez kilogramos menos.
Afortunadamente, de unos años a esta parte no son pocos los aficionados al Perro de Presa Canario a los que les gusta trabajar con sus perros –eso beneficia, sin duda, la imagen de la raza, por un lado, y su selección, por otro -, y saben, por experiencia propia, que el Presa Canario de sesenta kilogramos se cansa mucho antes que el de cincuenta.
También hay que decir que la inmensa mayoría de los aficionados al Perro de Presa Canario no están por la labor del adiestramiento y lo que esperan de su perro es que sea bueno con la familia y que guarde y defienda su territorio naturalmente.
El perro de guarda no necesariamente tiene que ser ligero (50 kilogramos), puede servir igualmente con 60 kilogramos (no más, porque de lo contrario será otra cosa y no un Presa Canario, como ya se ha dicho), y para ser realmente efectivo debe tener un acusado instinto de guarda, es decir, debe ser territorial y desconfiado con los extraños.
Claro que para que un Perro de Presa Canario se comporte como tal perro de guarda (territorial y desconfiado con los extraños) debe ser criado fuera del alcance de las caricias de los extraños. Esto no significa que no pueda ser llevado de paseo y que no tenga que respetar a la gente que se encuentra a su paso por la calle, campo, etc.; se trata, simplemente, de que no debe tener trato físico con extraños.
Hace unas pocas semanas me desplacé a la Península –yo vivo en Tenerife, Islas Canarias- con cinco perros de presa canarios y dos hembras de Perro Majorero –raza canina ésta muy poco conocida fuera de las Canarias, sobre la que he escrito en varias ocasiones- con el fin de obtener su Confirmación de Raza. Es sabido que previo a la Confirmación de Raza las razas caninas españolas tienen que competir en exposición. Así pues competí con mis perros, en sus distintas categorías (que tienen que ver con sus edades respectivas). En Clase Abierta Machos (perros adultos) el juez dejó ganador un perro mío de 52 kilogramos de peso. En segundo lugar quedó un ejemplar de 63 centímetros a la cruz y 64 kilogramos de peso. Al ver el resultado, el propietario de este macho se enfadó mucho, e increpó e insultó, de muy mala manera, al juez. Este comportamiento suele darse con alguna frecuencia entre expositores que presumen de criadores (y conocedores del estándar), y se despachan diciendo que el juez no tiene ni idea de la raza.
Yo a este expositor de buena gana le hubiera dicho que un Perro de Presa Canario de 63 centímetro de alzada a la cruz no debe pesar más de 54 kilogramos, como mucho. El presa de marras pesaba diez kilogramos de más; y acto seguido le hubiera preguntado, por el certificado de Libre de Displasia de Cadera de su perro, porque a mí me da que sus caderas (las del perro) no están lo que se dice muy sanas.
Este perro ha sido ya premiado –por jueces especialistas, es decir, del Club Español del Perro de Presa Canario- con dos CAC, y no me sorprenderé si dentro de poco gana el campeonato de España. Ya alguien ha dicho, por internet, que es el mejor semental de Europa. Y digo yo, ¿en qué se basan para decir de tal perro que es el mejor semental de Europa?
Para que un Perro de Presa Canario pueda ser considerado un buen semental tiene que pertenecer a una familia de reconocida calidad en varias generaciones atrás –medidas y peso estándar, correcta morfología, fenotipo, boca completa, mordida en tijera, libre de displasia de cadera y de codos, buen carácter, instinto de guarda, temperamento, equilibrio psíquico, fertilidad (y capacidad transmisora a su prole de todas estas cualidades).
Con excesiva frecuencia se confunde CAMPEÓN (de Monográfica, de España, de Europa, de lo que sea) con calidad óptima reproductora, y eso es un craso error. La mayor parte de los perros (en nuestro caso el Presa Canario), machos y hembras, carecen de valor como reproductores.
Hacer constar aquello de hijos del CH Tal y la CH Cual en los anuncios que se insertan en revistas especializadas, en internet, etc., mediante los cuales se informa de la venta de cachorros, ciertamente induce a no pocos a comprar, y a presumir luego de que su perro, o perra, es hijo de campeones.
¿Pero tiene que ver esto con la calidad? No, está claro que no tiene que ver. La selección, la verdadera selección del Perro de Presa Canario nada tiene que ver con estas prácticas cinófilas.
Por las razones expuestas, yo siempre digo que esa es la cinofilia fácil (que sin lugar a dudas vende bien), que perjudica sobremanera a la evolución (positiva) de las razas caninas en general.

Manuel Curtó Gracia

Sorry, but I completely lost your point within the length and breadth of your posting. My eyes start running lines together when there's not enough "white-space".

Are you posing / asking a specific question or writing an 'argumentative' essay?
(not as in starting a fight, but convincing others of a specific conclusion)

toodles

Hello Manuel,

I don't know much about presas canarios or the FCI (with British arrogance, we tend to look to the Kennel Club and no further :-)), but I do have giant breeds (deerhounds & Irish Wolfhounds) and have owned a bullmastiff, so I'm familiar with some of the arguments you make. In the KC/AKC standard neither deerhounds nor wolfhounds have an upper height/weight limit and in wolfhounds particularly it is often said that "a good big one will beat a good little one". I can understand why with regard to height - if height is lost in a breed it is hard to get it back. It is also often argued in both breeds that the smaller and especially the lighter dogs could not carry out their original function. I don't believe that. The stories may be exaggerated, but there are too many tales of modern lightly built 28" deerhound bitches pulling down red deer single-handed (by accident or design) to completely dismiss them. And having watched many wolfhounds run, I doubt that some very heavy modern wolfhounds have the stamina to keep up with a wolf for long enough to get a chance to take it on.

Often a very tall hound is also a very 'straight' or 'upright' hound, and some of the big hounds that win well are too fat and/or too heavily built for my liking. I also worry that extreme great size and particularly great weight, is not always compatible with long life and good health, especially if a puppy is 'forced' along. I don't go so far as to say that the more lightly built sighthound is 'right', although I prefer that type. Except at the extremes here are excellent hounds right across the height/build spectrum. I would not like to see either 'type' lost to show ring fashion, for that means there is nowhere to go if the lightly built hounds become too small and too lacking in bone, or if the more heavily built type begin to lose shape and conformation (or if health problems begin to turn up).

So I would not like to see an upper limit on height/weight imposed on either of these breeds. Height is easily lost, and sometimes a lean hound of medium height can weigh more than a tall one that is carrying excess fat, because the lean hound has more bone and/or is better muscled. I don't know if it applies to presas canarios, but in my experience it is almost impossible to guess a giant sighthound's weight just by looking at it. But nor am I comfortable with raising the lower limits, even if that reflects reality to some extent, or with the tendency of a few judges to dismiss the small, lightly built, but very shapely, sound, well balanced and well proportioned hound in favour of less 'typical' big ones.

Sorry the above is not more directly applicable to the Presa Canario and FCI standards. I agree with your definition of a good stud dog in any breed, and also agree that the big show winner is not always the best dog at passing on good qualities. Life would be easy if Ch x Ch matings always produced excellent progeny, but they don't. Sometimes even the dog with a noticable fault reliably passes on good qualities he himself does not possess, especially if he comes from a breeding line that excels in those good points. It is not always practical, but imho the only way to truly assess a stud dog's quality is to use him and look at his progeny (agreeing of course, that the dog with a poor temperament, genetic problems or one that is unsound, atypical or an overall poor specimen of his breed, should never be bred from).