A good-natured and powerful defender, this is how the Canary Dog is generally perceived by lovers of this breed. But this wonderful dog also charms with its calm and balanced character, imposing appearance and extraordinary elegance of movements.
The Canary Dog is a descendant of the Spanish Mastiff, which was already widespread in mainland Spain during the Middle Ages. In ancient writings, the Spanish Mastiff was mainly referred to as "Alano" and was recorded as being used for hunting and as a herding dog. He also served as a guard and protection dog. Representatives of this breed were also used in bullfighting and dogfighting.
Well-trained dogs were used in the army and provided support in the conquest of South America. It was during this period that the Spanish mastiff found its way to the Canary Islands, which were a stop during expeditions. These dogs were crossed with native breeds, Bardino Majorera and Cao de Castro Laboreiro, and then a new breed was born - Perro de Presa Canarios. These dogs were excellent guards of rural estates and the protection of large herds of settlers' animals. These impressive animals were recognized as an independent breed under the name Dogo Canario (Canary Dog) only in 2001. According to the FCI classification, the Canary Dog belongs to Group 2 - Pinschers, Schnauzers, Molossoids and Swiss Cattle Dogs, Section 2.1 - Molossian Mastiffs.
Here are the suggested sizes for adult dogs of this breed. They were selected on the basis of many years of experience in sewing accessories and the most common choices of other dog owners of this breed. Remember, only measuring will give you 100% certainty - every dog is different.
Dogo Canario is a strong and tall dog. He has a muscular, well-proportioned figure. Males reach a height at the withers from 60 to 66 cm, females are slightly smaller, from 56 to 60 cm. The weight of adult representatives of the breed ranges from 40 to 65 kilograms. The length of the Great Dane's body exceeds the height at the withers (in females this feature is more pronounced than in males). The skull is large, massive and wide. The dog carries its head just above the height at the withers. The tail is wide at the base, tapering towards the end. It generally does not extend beyond the hock. The ears are of medium size and drooping (in Spain, ear cropping is still allowed in some cases).
The Dogo Canario has a short, smooth, slightly shiny coat, without an undercoat. On the ears, the hair is thin and short on the back of the thighs, slightly longer. The color of the fur is brindle and comes in a variety of shades. Colors range from light gray or light beige to dark brown. There may be white markings on the chest and neck. The face mask is always black.
Despite its imposing appearance, the Dogo Canario has a calm and balanced disposition. A characteristic feature of this breed is a high threshold of stimuli. His strong protective instinct makes him an excellent guard dog. In addition, he shows self-confidence, strong nerves, is brave and intelligent. In the family circle, he shows a friendly, sociable personality. Builds a strong bond with the guardian, likes children. He is good-natured and loyal to all family members. Despite his self-confidence and strong character, he is considered an obedient and easy-to-train dog. However, he should be socialized beforehand so that he does not show aggressive behavior towards strangers in the future.
The Canary Dog is a very active dog and you should devote enough time to organizing physical exercises and mental challenges for your pet. As a dog with a sporty soul, the Great Dane is an ideal companion for hiking and any physical activity, it can easily accompany the family on trips or running.
Dogo Canario enjoys good health. There are actually no diseases specific to this breed. The Canary Islands owes this primarily to its prudent, centuries-old breeding and the preservation of the purity of the original breed. No action has been taken to affect its character or external characteristics, through attempts to modify or excessive reproduction. Nevertheless, the caregiver should schedule regular preventive health check-ups, especially for hip and elbow dysplasia. The average life expectancy of representatives of this breed is from 10 to 12 years.
The Dogo Canario is considered undemanding and easy to care for. Its coat is short and requires only occasional brushing - preferably with a rubber glove or a brush with a metal comb. Particular attention should be paid to the claws, which should be trimmed regularly. As with all four-legged friends, it is worth systematically taking care of the condition of the teeth, ears and skin around the eyes.
Picture: Basil's Dragon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Your pet already understands the basic commands and now it's time to expand your repertoire of canine tricks. Training together can be a fun experience for both you and your pet. They give a chance to tighten bonds and discover something new. We will show you how to teach your four-legged friend the "turn" command in a few simple steps.
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