When you hear there is a Presa Canario Pitbull Mix what goes through your mind? Is it fearless, strong, guardian, or protector?
If you thought of these adjectives and nouns, you were right! Just add some more, like extremely loyal and affectionate towards its owner.
Now, that is the true nature of this unique crossbreed that is gaining popularity among breeders of large dog breeds. But it’s also gaining popularity among ordinary dog owners too. And it is no surprise.
These dogs look majestic and scary at the same time, making people think twice before deciding to enter your property uninvited.
Presa Canario Pitbull Mix is a scary guard dog, but is it the scariest? Let’s cautiously peek over the fence and take a look at this mixed breed.
What Is Presa Canario Pitbull Mix?
Photo from: @farley_the_sailorman
Two words can describe both the mental and physical state of an adult Presa Canario Pitbull Mix: strong and loyal.
They are fearless and big guard dogs and they will defend the premises with their life if needed. But apart from the fact that you will definitely be scared of this dog at a first glance, you will be amazed too because they are beautiful!
My personal favorite is when they inherit a brindle coat color. But any other coat color variation is truly wonderful as well.
They are big, they are strong, they are fearless and strong-minded – they are Presa Canario Pitbull Mixes! You will admire them and be scared of them at the same time if you are a stranger.
But if you decide to get this dog, you will love them and realize how much love they have to give too.
But don’t get me wrong, they are not aggressive dogs by nature. They are loyal dogs that guard what is theirs. No dog is born aggressive, it is the human hand that makes them that way.
So, the Presa Canario Pitbull mix is no different when it comes to human involvement in the temperament development of a dog. Proper care and socialization with lots of love and affection make them excellent family dogs as well.
Who Are The Parents?
Photo from: @presaxpitbull
The two breeds used to make this magnificent crossbreed are already in the name of the mix:
• Presa Canario or Perro de Presa Canario
Some people actually get these two dogs mixed up from their physical appearance, thinking that the Presa Canario is a Pitbull. There are actually a lot of dogs that look like Pitbulls.
But they are not – they are separate dog breeds, and we will talk about their origin and appearance in a bit. For now, just remember that Presa Canario is a much larger dog breed than the American Pitbull Terrier.
So, as you will see, their mixed offspring can be larger or smaller depending on the dominant genes it inherits from itsg parents. It is quite important to know the dog’s parents since the outcome of mixing two dog breeds cannot be completely predicted.
Some puppies will inherit more characteristics of one parent dog breed and others will inherit more from the second parent dog breed.
So, let’s see the bigger picture of who the parents of the Presa Canario Pitbull mix are.
The Presa Canario
Their original Spanish name is Perro de Presa Canario which means Canarian catch dog. They go by other names, too – Canary Mastiff and the Dogo Canario. These mighty dogs are calm and confident, and they have a deep and strong bark.
It goes perfectly well with their confident,vigilant posture and strong will.
The Presa Canario dogs are a very old dog breed that came from the Canary Islands. They are AKC (American Kennel Club) registered and they originated from the Mastiff bloodline.
The Presa Canario is very easygoing with family members, staying close to them and enjoying all the pats and affection. But don’t be mistaken, they will lunge and defend their family as soon as they sense something is not right.
They are very alert, which makes them great watchdogs because nothing can get past them.
They are trainable and they will obey their owner and follow their instructions. But they need to be properly socialized because these dogs have a high prey drive, and they will hunt smaller animals if given a chance.
The American Pitbull Terrier
This dog breed is one of the most famous types of Pitbull in the world. Unfortunately, they have a bad reputation.
People think that just because they are a pitbull breed, they are aggressive dogs that will attack anyone and everyone, no matter the socialization training they have been through. But that is not true!
Pitties are one of the gentlest, most affectionate dogs and will show their love often through doggy kisses and hugs!
The American Pitbull Terrier is a strong and brave dog breed. They are excellent guard dogs, but at the same time, it has been proven that Pitbull dogs are great with children, making them wonderful family dogs too.
They were originally bred for dog fighting, hence the bad reputation. The breeds involved in their development were the Old English Terrier and the Old English Bulldog.
Today there are many Pitbull bloodlines, including the American Bully that originated from either the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pitbull Terrier, that are all included in the group of American dog breeds.
Origin Of The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix
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The exact year or even an approximate year of the origin of this crossbreed is unknown. They have been around for a couple of decades though, that is for sure.
The need to mix these two breeds came from the desire to make one of the best guard dogs in the world. And even by just looking at this amazing crossbreed, we can see why it makes one of the best guard dogs.
The breeders were looking to combine the agility of a Pitbull with the confidence of the Presa Canario. They also got to combine their strength and intelligence.
Both of these purebred dog parents are courageous with a strong desire to defend what belongs to them – a family or a property, it doesn’t matter, they will keep it safe.
From this gene pool of bravery and loyalty came our amazing Presa Pitbull crossbreed.
Appearance Of The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix
Photo from: @haven.reyvn
The appearance of the Presa Canario Pitbull mix is determined by the dog’s parents’ traits. They can grow from 22 to 26 inches in height, and they can weigh from 50 to over 100 pounds.
No matter which genes they inherit more of the Presa Canario Pitbull mix puppies will look powerful when they grow up, with a lot of muscles on a well-proportioned body!
• The head can be massive like in a Mastiff or typically broad like in a Pitbull. One thing is for sure, they will inherit strong jaws. The muzzle is usually broader than it is long, but different variations will be present depending on the genetic influence.
• The body is long and muscular, looking more athletic than robust. They have a lot of muscles and well-proportioned legs, with a body that continues on broad shoulders. All of this dog’s body is covered in muscles and supported by large bones.
• The tail is of medium length that falls straight down. It is never curled or bobbed, except in cases of extreme genetic mutations that can happen in Pitbulls and that can be passed down to offspring.
• The gait is typical of both parent dog breeds and that is a confident and assured gait that they can cover a lot of ground.
• The ears can be cropped, or they can naturally fall down on each side – they have a rose ear shape.
• The coat is smooth and short, with a shiny appearance. They do not have an undercoat.
As for the color of the Presa Canario Pitbull mix, they can be of any coat color variation present in the dog parents’ breeds.
From brindle to one color, bi-color and tri-color, anything can happen.
Here are some of the most common colors:
• brindle
• fawn
• black
• brown
• tri-color
In general, most Presa Canario Pitbull mix offspring will be smaller than Presa Canario and bigger than the American Pitbull Terrier.
Because Pitbulls have much larger coat color variations, they will be the primary influence on the color of the new puppy, unless the Presa Canario parent is black.
The black gene is dominant and will have the most impact on the color of the future pup.
But as you can see, the exact size and coat color of the mixed dog is not easy to predict. There are a lot of possibilities, but the good thing is that no matter the color or size, they all look wonderful!
The Presa Canario Appearance
This is a large dog breed with a massive head and a broad, deep body. They look impressive and will make the bravest of us think about approaching a house they guard.
They do look like one of the scariest dog breeds, but they are not baddies as people think.
Because of their large appearance with strong jaws and a massive head, where the upper lips often droop down, people mistake them not only for Pitbulls but for other large dog breeds, like Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, or even a Great Dane.
But, as mentioned, they are a separate breed. They come in many coat color variations, of which 6 are AKC recognized. The most interesting one is the so-called Tiger color or brindle.
They can grow from 22 to 26 inches in height, and they can weigh from 84 to 110 pounds. Large dogs indeed.
The American Pitbull Terrier Appearance
These wonderful dogs are medium to large-sized dogs with characteristically shaped heads and muscular bodies. They are one of the most misunderstood dog breeds because of their horrible past caused by humans, who used them in bullbaiting or dog fighting.
The American Pitbull Terrier is a lean, strong, and muscular dog with a well-proportioned body and head. They have a broad head with a wide muzzle and small rosebud-shaped ears.
Their coats are smooth and short with all kinds of color variations. The bi-color is the most common, for example, red and white, tan and white, or black and white, but a tri-color Pitbull is also a possibility.
Unfortunately, because of their past, the AKC does not recognize this dog breed. But they are recognized by the UKC (United Kennel Club) and the ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association).
The American Pitbull Terrier can be from 17 to 21 inches in height, and it can weigh from 30 to 60 pounds. Males are generally larger than females.
See Also: Great Dane Pitbull Mix: A Hybrid To Amaze You!
The Temperament Of The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix
Photo from: @presaxpitbull
The Presa Canario Pitbull mix dog has traits of both dog parents. There are also some similarities between the dog parent breeds.
For example, both Presa Canario and the American Pitbull Terrier are vigilant, brave, and loyal. So, you can be sure that your Presa Canario Pitbull puppies are going to have these traits too.
As a result, when we look at the Presa Canario Pitbull mix dog, we are looking at a fearless, brave, and faithful dog that can go two ways when it comes to its relationship with children and other family members.
It all comes down to the traits of the parent breeds, so let’s take a look at their temperaments first.
The Presa Canario Temperament
Let’s get straight to the point: this dog is loyal and devoted to its owner, but they do not get on well with small children and they do not get on well with other dogs either.
In fact, the AKC doesn’t recommend these dogs to families with small children or to families that plan on getting more dogs of other breeds. Their lack of socialization can even make them difficult to take on a walk or to take to a dog park.
That’s why it is imperative that these dogs have proper early socialization. They are not for people who don’t have time to obedience train and mold their dogs from puppyhood.
The Presa Canario is a big dog and if not trained and socialized can cause a lot of trouble.
This doesn’t come from the fact that they are naturally aggressive, but from the fact that they are very territorial and loyal to one person. They have no patience for small children or pesky dogs.
The American Pitbull Terrier Temperament
On the other hand, the American Pitbull Terrier is highly affectionate and is excellent with small children! The total opposite to the Perro de Presa Canario.
The Pitbull is loyal and affectionate, and what is very important, they have a lot of patience with small children, and all of their pokings, pulling, and leaning. They are good watchdogs that will definitely keep your youngest safe.
But they might have a problem with other dogs. Also, male and female Pitbulls tend to have slightly different temperaments.
Not as much as the Presa Canario, but they will need proper socialization too.
Honestly, when it comes to any dog breed, one thing I’ve learned and experienced is that ALL dog breeds no matter the size, origin, or reputation, need to be socialized at an early age.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a Chihuahua, Rottweiler, or German Shepherd – they will need the same amount of socialization as an American Pitbull Terrier.
The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix Temperament Conclusion
You might wonder now what trait your mixed puppy will inherit. Presa Canario’s aloofness or the affection of the Pitbull? As we mentioned, there are two possibilities:
• Friendly and accepting of small children
• Cold and reserved when it comes to small children
So, yes there are two ways they can go, but in the long run, the important thing is to socialize your dogs at an early age. That way we can prevent any future unexpected behavior or easily stop the behavior in its tracks.
We will talk about the proper socialization and training of this powerful dog breed later in the text.
Let’s check their health now.
The Health Of The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix
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The usual lifespan of the Presa Canario Pitbull mix is 11 to 15 years. They owe their longevity to the American Pitbull Terrier side.
This mixed breed is generally healthy, but they can inherit some diseases that are common to both parent breeds. If you want to be sure your mixed puppy’s health is alright, you can take your dog to DNA tests that will show up any worrying signs.
You can also take your dog’s parents to DNA tests or genetic screenings to check for potential health issues.
The usual health problems that go with large dog breeds, including the Presa Canario Pitbull Mix, are:
1. Hip Dysplasia
This is a genetic disease that can be enhanced by environmental factors, like diet, exercise, muscle mass, etc.
Hip Dysplasia means that the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis do not grow and develop at the same speed and end up causing the looseness in the hip. That further leads to all kinds of degenerative hip joint problems.
This is a painful condition in dogs, and it has to be treated in order for your dog to have a healthy, happy, and long life. The most common and one of the first signs is weakness in the hind legs, as well as avoiding using the affected leg.
Your veterinarian will decide the best treatment, depending on the age of your dog and the developmental stage of the disease.
2. Bloat or GDV
Gastric dilatation and volvulus is the full and medical term for the bloating that can occur in dogs, especially large dog breeds. This is a serious health issue that can end up being fatal.
In essence, it all starts with the stomach filling up with gas, which causes bloating in a dog. But if it continues to develop it can end up becoming much more serious and have to be surgically treated.
If you notice this issue in your dog, it is important to quickly take the dog to the local vet where it can receive professional care.
3. Elbow Dysplasia
Once again, this trait is a characteristic of all large dog breeds, and since our Presa Canario Pitbull Mix can grow pretty big, elbow dysplasia can be a problem for them too. This health issue includes different developmental problems in the elbow joint.
The first signs are usually, just like in hip dysplasia, limping and avoiding the affected leg. If the issue progresses, surgical intervention is the only possible treatment option.
4. Obesity
Both the Presa Canario and the American Pitbull Terrier are prone to obesity. That’s why it is important to pay attention to their food intake and the quality of the dog food you provide for your Presa Canario Pitbull dogs.
They are large dogs and will need a larger amount of food daily, but they will need to have the proper amount of proteins and healthy fats, compared with carbohydrates, in their everyday diet.
Also, taking care of the vitamin and fiber content will ensure they have no problems with their digestive tract.
Exercise is also key to a healthy weight. They need to have room to run around and play, or they have to be taken on daily walks and trips to the dog park.
5. Entropion
This is an eye health problem. Simply put, the eyelids roll inward and can cause eye irritation. This irritation can, if not treated, lead to a more serious eye condition called corneal ulceration.
A dog with the entropion condition will often rub the affected eye, and you can see a discharge in the outer corner of the eyelid.
The treatment of Entropion is often surgical, but in the early stages, it can be treated with antibiotics. If surgery is the only option, the treatment can only be done if the pup is older than 6 months.
What Is The Price Of The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix?
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As with all the other facts, the price of the Presa Canario Pitbull mix puppy depends on the parent dogs. The American Pitbull costs less than the Presa Canario. They have larger litters, which lowers their price, so their usual price is from $500 to $1000.
The Presa Canario can cost between $2000 and $8000! As you can see it is quite a difference.
So, when it comes to their mixed puppy, the price of the Presa Canario Pitbull Mix can range from $2000 to $5000 depending on the bloodline of the Presa Canario.
They can be cheaper or more expensive, depending on the breeder, the country you are in, or the lineage of the parent dog breeds.
Where To Find The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix?
This is not a rare mixed breed, but they are still not as popular as some other Presa or Pitbull mixes.
But, if you do want to buy a Presa Canario Pitbull mix puppy, there are some reputable breeders that will ensure you get the healthiest and happiest puppy, ready to move into a new home.
It is very important to know that these dogs have had proper socialization during their stay with the breeder.
Their experience with other dogs, people, and other animals during the early stages of life are crucial to their future temperament development.
You can always try your luck at a local animal shelter. Not only will you help a poor soul, but you will also find a best friend for the rest of your life.
You can also check these sites if you are interested in adopting:
• RSPCA
What Is The Proper Training Of The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix?
Photo from: @presaxpitbull
This is a very important step if you want to enjoy all the cuddles with your Presa Canario Pitbull mix and be sure it’s not a danger to other dogs. But, most importantly if you want to be sure they will get along with small children.
It has to be mentioned that this dog breed is not a perfect match with first-time dog owners. They are large dogs, and they require a more experienced dog owner.
But here are the steps on how to train your Presa Canario Pitbull mix. If you have any doubts about training your dog, don’t hesitate to contact a professional dog trainer.
1. Be In Charge
Dogs are social animals, and as such respect and live by the hierarchy. That is what they inherited from their ancestors – wolves, and they still live by those rules. So, it is important for you to be the alpha male or alpha female.
Dogs like the Presa Canario Pitbull mix need to know that you are in charge and that they should listen to you in all situations.
They need someone who will show true leadership! Don’t change your rules, be strict and stick to what is allowed or not allowed.
2. Keep Them Active
You can use this simple yet effective technique to train your dog. The point is to stimulate dogs both physically and mentally so that they don’t get bored.
A dog that is bored might not be as eager to please its owner as the one who has already had a run around the backyard or a good walk to the park.
Give them toys, take them for a walk, or let them run in the yard. Whatever it takes, keep them active and happy.
3. Play Time
This is something that goes with the step of keeping them active. But in this case, it is important to let the Presa Canario Pitbull mix puppy play with other dogs as much as possible.
Also, it is important to let them play with other people, not just family members. This is a crucial step in proper early socialization.
If they do not learn that other dogs or other people outside the family are friends and that they should be friendly towards them, you will have a lot of problems with the obedience of your adult dog.
So, let your Canario Pittie play with other dogs, even other animals if you have the chance. Let the puppy experience friendly moments with your neighbors, other dog owners in the park, etc.
This will have a crucial impact on what they will be like when they grow up.
4. Be Patient
The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix is an intelligent but stubborn dog. In this case, being patient is the key to success.
They will quickly understand what is expected of them, but you will have to spend some more time teaching them that they should do it when you ask them to.
Never use physical punishment to teach a dog proper behavior. No matter the breed or its size, they should not be hit at any time.
You can use other physical forms of setting boundaries like pushing, touching, or putting your hand on them to calm them down or show dominance. However, all of these actions should not be violent!
Think of pushing and touching intensity like when you are tapping someone to turn around or to show them where to look.
5. Be Careful
Even the most trained and obedient dog, that has high prey drive or is highly loyal by nature, can react aggressively if they think their family member or owner is in danger.
The Presa Canario Pitbull Mix has strong protective and loyal roots that come from both dog parents. Their innate desire to help and protect cannot be completely eliminated.
That is something you should be always aware of when you go out in public with your dog, especially if it’s new and unknown territory for your dog.
Keep them on a leash at all times if you are unsure how they will react in a new situation. You should always be alert when you introduce your dog to new people or new dogs. Better safe than sorry.
The Conclusion
The Presa Canario Pitbull mix is a powerful and loyal dog that is definitely not for everyone. They can be both amazing companions and guard dogs, but they will require a strong leader to keep them obedient.
I know they look beautiful and mighty like dogs of ancient Rome, ready to defend their owner with their whole heart and body.
But these are strong dogs with even stronger personalities, so if you are a first-time dog owner, you should consider this breed from all angles and decide if you are able to keep this dog happy and healthy.
And, at the same time keep others safe around you.
So, is the Presa Canario Pitbull mix the scariest guard dog? Scary looking, maybe, but truly dangerous and scary – only if we make it.
Take care of your Canario Pittie dogs, treat them well, train and socialize them, and you will have a loving companion for a long time that you’ll be proud to call “My dog”.