Podenco Andaluz vs Perro de Presa Canario - Breed Comparison

This large dog, also known as the Canary Mastiff, is a rare Molosser-type dog hailing from the Canary Islands.

It does appear as if, according to records, that these dogs were also consumed at one time. The dog has also been used as a cattle dog as well as being used for dog fighting till the middle of the 1900s. Dog fighting was prohibited in the 1940s but it continued for a number of decades.

As people became interested in other dog breeds, the Presa nearly died out but some breeders revived the breed because of it having some good characteristics – territorial, brave, protective and intelligent. The FCI recognized the dog in 2011.

The Podenco Andaluz hails from the Andalusian region of southern Spain. It is believed that this dog is likely to have descended from the European hunting dog.

Because of the lack of distinctive characteristics, and also the similarities the dog shares with other dog breeds, the dog isn’t typically recognized in its own right. They have always been used as hunting dogs. The Andaluz is actually one of the lesser known Podencos and it isn’t recognized by the FCI.

The Perro de Presa Canario or Canary Dog is large and muscular. He stands at 58 to 66cm in height and weighs anything from 40 – 70kg. He has a deep bark.

The head is broad and the ears are normally cropped to give him a more aggressive appearance. With ear cropping being banned the ears are close fitting to the head and are floppy. This is one of those dogs where the rear of the dog is slightly higher than the shoulders.

The coat is short and there is no undercoating. It is available in all different shades of fawn and brindle. The breed standard requires the dog having a black mask.

Temperament:

Canine experts tell us that this large working dog has got such fearless guardian characteristics that they wouldn’t recommend this dog for first time dog owners. On the other hand however, there are dog owners who claim that with good socialization, this dog becomes docile and amicable around their human family.

He is a clever dog so training and socialization will be easy and it will be worth it. This is a dog noted for its strength, it’s strong personality and potential for aggression, so training and socialization will be most important.

There are three different Andalusian Hounds - small, medium and large, but for the sake of space, we refer to the medium sized dog. The medium sized dog stands at between 42 and 53cm and weighs roughly 20 – 22kg.

The dog has short hair, large erect ears and a long tail. Regarding color, most of these dogs are a reddish brown or plain brown color with some having patches of white.

Temperament:

The Andaluz is a dog which is reserved with strangers, but with their owners they are loyal and loving and never aggressive. The Andaluz is considered a one-man dog but he is more than capable of showing love and affection for all members of his human family.

This dog will benefit from training and socialization as this makes him more sure of himself and more obedient. He is an intelligent dog and won’t battle to learn simple commands. You’ll find your Podenco Andaluz to be sweet, calm and gentle indoors with training. He loves to lie close up to you,preferably on the couch right next to you!

Contrary to what many people think, the Perro de Presa Canario can be a calm, gentle dog when trained and socialized properly.

It is only when you bring an older, unknown dog into your midst that you would have to exercise caution with him as he can then be aggressive.

Dogs become dangerous and aggressive when they are brought up by aggressive, uncaring people. Humans are always to blame for the way a dog turns out. Provide this large dog with a loving, caring home, and he’ll show you what a remarkable pet he can be.

This dog has always been a hunting dog, and an excellent one at that. These days he is also a companion animal. It is very sad that these dogs have been given a cruel deal in Spain.

For those that make it into a loving home, they have proved to make excellent low maintenance dogs who are willing to provide their human family with faithful love and companionship that only a dog can provide.

The Perro de Presa Canario can live to be between 8 and 12 years of age. Being a large breed the dog can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and other problems such as cancer and heart problems. It is highly unlikely that a well cared for dog will get any of these illnesses.

Bloat or Gastric Torsion:

It is far better to give your dog two smaller meals a day as opposed to one bigger meal as then he tends to wolf his food down. This can lead to bloat, where the stomach swells up and worse, it twists. This dangerous situation prevents fluid and air from escaping the stomach. Your dog is restless, he paces and salivates, wanting to vomit. Bloat can affect any dog at any age.

Kidney Disease:

Kidney disease can develop because of some other illness or it can develop on its own. It can even be caused by bad teeth when bacteria enters the bloodstream of the dog.

Your Podenco Andaluz is a robust dog breed and doesn’t battle with any health conditions. However, having said that, every dog can battle with some of the more common dog illnesses, and then your dog may well have to visit the vet.

Remember, that to give your dog the best chance, the dog should receive vaccinations to protect him from some life-threatening diseases.

Leishmaniasis:

This disease is brought about by the protozoan parasite Leishmania. The dog gets into trouble with this disease when sand-flies transmit parasites into the skin of the dog. The disease spreads to most organs, with kidney failure being the most common cause of death.

Heartworms:

This is a fatal disease that is contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is serious and will require veterinary intervention as its a disease that can create problems with the animal’s heart.

Rabies:

This is a fatal viral disease that can be passed on to your pet and affects the central nervous system. A dog with rabies is nearly always a dead dog, sadly. Symptoms include excess drooling, aggression and seizures.

Grooming:

This is a short haired dog, and he isn't a heavy shedder so beyond regular twice-a-week brushing he will simply need to have his eyes and ears checked for infections.

He will also need to have his nails clipped and to check his teeth over too. A sore, bad tooth at the back of your pet’s mouth can cause terrible pain but also play havoc with his general health.

Exercise:

Your Perro de Presa Canario is a high-energy dog and he will need daily exercise. He will love a good walk but he will also need something more strenuous and demanding such as ball- and rope tug-of-war games.

Diet:

Try and provide your large pet with a top quality commercially manufactured food – one that is packed with vitamins and minerals instead of colorants preservatives and toxic fillers.

Break the monotony of feeding him only kibble by mixing in some cooked chicken, brown rice, sweet potato, carrots and spinach. Dogs love consistency and simplicity and simple meals like this with some raw meat thrown in occasionally will keep him healthy and happy. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

This has always been a hunting dog so he is used to running long distances. He is best suited to life in the countryside as opposed to life on a small property in the city. You will certainly need to take him on walks. If you are lucky enough to live near the beach, you can take bat and ball and hit the ball hard with the beach-bat, allowing your dog to race at top speed to fetch it.

Grooming:

Regular brushing, at least twice a week will be required for the Podenco Andaluz. It’s a good idea to check your dog over for any odd lumps and for ticks and fleas. Keep his nails trimmed and check his ears and eyes for infection.

Diet:

Every dog requires a good diet if good health and longevity are to be expected. Always check the labels of commercially manufactured dog foods to ensure that your dog gets a good dose of protein in.

The best quality foods have a good balance of vitamins and minerals in them, whereas some of the poorer quality foods have bad ingredients such as preservative, colorants and fillers.

Try and give your dog some wholesome home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots. Also, some raw meat occasionally will benefit your dog too, after all dogs have always been carnivores.