Like other Molosser breeds, the Presa Canario has earned a reputation for being a tough and rugged guard dog. But that doesn’t mean these massive canines can’t make affectionate, devoted family pets.

If you’re fortunate enough to welcome a member of this rare dog breed into your home, as long as you provide your new four-legged family member with plenty of opportunities for socialization--as well as firm handling and positive reinforcement training--you can expect a gentle and loving dog that will look out for your family for years to come.

Weighing in at upwards of 125 pounds, the adult Presa Canario can have a somewhat intimidating, imposing appearance. Known for their strong guarding instinct, Presa Canarios are considered to be an owner-focused breed that's highly intelligent and trainable. With ample socialization and proper training, the Presa Canario can become a loyal family pet—and model canine citizens.

Since they were historically bred as a fighting dog, training will be absolutely necessary to keep any potential aggressive behaviors at bay. But Presa Canarios were also bred to guard livestock, which is why this strong and powerful breed can make such a dependable watchdog for your home…and, of course, your kiddos. Potential Presa Canario owners should be aware that this is a dog that will not hesitate to do whatever he thinks is necessary to protect his family in a time of potential danger, which is another reason why training is of the utmost importance when welcoming a Presa Canario into your home as a family pet. It’s also why you should always take precautions when introducing strangers to your pooch.

Since they are such an intelligent, hard-working breed, Presa Canarios are more than capable of being trained to perform everything from basic obedience cues like “sit” and “stay” to completing other tasks around the house. Since they love having a job to do, the Presa Canario is known to excel in competitions that test agility, obedience, and strength, so dog competitions are also an option. It’s important to keep your Presa Canario both physically and mentally stimulated, which is why they can make such a great match for families with children who are young enough to want to run around in the backyard but old enough to understand their dog's boundaries and limits. However, this is a breed that tends to be more strong-willed and sometimes even stubborn, so they will require a strong “pack leader"…ideally an established, dog-oriented family with previous experience raising similar breeds.

If you happen to be a family who loves the Great Outdoors, the Presa Canario might just be your perfect match. These are dogs who need exercise and love nothing more than being active with their owners, whether it’s going for a hike or playing a rousing game of frisbee with the kids. But unlike many other breeds of their size, they aren’t extremely high-energy and won’t require hours of intense exercise, so a daily walk or two (or ample backyard time) is enough to satisfy their physical needs. Another added bonus? When your Presa Canario is hanging out indoors, you’ll rarely have to vacuum your rugs or furniture—these big cuddly dogs also happen to be minimal shedders.

Lastly, the Presa Canario can be a great choice for a family pet since they likely won’t require many trips to the vet. Though the breed is rare and their potential health issues aren’t well-documented, the Presa Canario is generally considered a healthy breed. They may be predisposed to some common issues that affect larger dogs, such as elbow and hip dysplasia and panosteitis (bone inflammation). However, since these conditions are often hereditary, you can always ask your breeder about the health of your pup’s parents. You can also expect these dogs to live upwards of ten years, so they will grow upright alongside your children as both their best friend and protector.

A powerful, courageous guard dog that was initially bred to protect livestock, the Presa Canario is a breed that generally requires a bit of extra training to become the loyal, gentle, and affectionate family pet they can be.

The Presa Canario is a large mastiff dog breed that’s fearless, powerful, and generally isn't too fond of strangers—whether it's humans, dogs, or any other animals. That’s why it's imperative that you properly train and socialize your Presa Canario in their puppy years, as it will help your dog avoid developing violent or aggressive behaviors later in life.

Though this particular breed isn’t recommended for first-time or inexperienced pet owners, there are some general rules of thumb to follow when it comes to training your Presa Canario puppy. Here are 5 tips to get you started.

1. Be The Leader, Get Your Presa To Listen To Your Commands.

The Presa Canario is a breed that demands calm yet assertive leadership. They will respond best to someone who exudes true leadership qualities and clearly lets their dog know that they are in control. That's why these dogs respond best to an experienced dog trainer, so don't hesitate to get help from a professional when bringing your pooch home.

2. Have Patience, Remember You Have A Puppy.

Some dog breeds are easier to train than others, and the Presa Canario happens to fall into the more difficult category. Though these dogs are well-known for their intelligence, they have a tendency to be stubborn—which means they will quickly learn the desired behaviors but may not always be so willing to do what you want. Training will require a great deal of consistency and patience, and always be sure to use positive reinforcement techniques--any forms of punishment will not be an effective training approach.

3. Play Time Is Crucial For Presa Canarios.

It’s crucial to ensure that your Presa Canario puppy gets as many opportunities to socialize as possible. The idea is that the more he or she interacts with other humans, dogs, and pets in puppyhood, the less likely it is that they’ll be seen as threats as your pooch gets older. Though socialization is important for all dogs, this breed in particular will need to be raised in an environment with a variety of people, animals, and surroundings from their earliest days of life.

It’s also why you should ensure you’re adopting your Presa Canario puppy from a responsible breeder who isn’t keeping the dogs separated from other humans or animals. You’ll, of course, want to ensure your dog has received its full round of shots from potentially deadly diseases before setting up those puppy playdates, but after that, consider puppy kindergarten classes (which offer both opportunities for socialization as well as basic obedience training), visits to the park, or invite friends and family over to play with your newest addition.

4. Presa Canarios Must Stay Active, Keep Them Busy.

The Presa Canario is not a dog that likes to be bored, and since puppies are already full of energy, you’ll want to be sure that your pup has lots to do to ensure optimal training success. That means taking your Presa Canario for walks and/or offering plenty of time to romp in the backyard, as well as ensuring your pet has ample physical stimulation at home, whether it's through puzzle toys or playtime with the kids.

5. Be Careful.

No matter how well trained your pooch is, owners of Presa Canarios should always be aware that their innate instincts are hard to completely eliminate. So if there’s ever any indication that their family is in danger, they will not hesitate to jump in and protect them. That’s why even if your Presa Canario has been properly trained and socialized, you’ll always want to behave in a way that lets your dog know that they are fully in control in any situation. And, of course, you should always take precautions and be on alert when introducing strangers to your dog.

Conclusion

Loving your Presa puppy and caring for them like you would your own child will result in a long and happy relationship between you and your Presa.